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| < Current Year Testimonials | 2006 |
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| Winter 2007 |
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The sincerity and professional functioning of the SMH Emergency
Care Center staff is extraordinary. It could, and should become
a model for other hospitals. As is always the case, individuals
working together made the ECC team run smoothly. Each person
with whom I was in contact or observed was clearly a team
member. Unfortunately, I do not know all the names. However, I
would like to thank those with whom I had personal contact. They
are: Jill Bujnevicie, PA-C, Rich Noonan, RN, Laura Wheaton, RN,
Erin Thompson, RN and Annette Hancock.
Jerry McCabe
California, Maryland |
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I was seen in your Emergency Care Center on October 22, 2007.
I was very pleased with how quickly I was seen and how pleasant
everyone was. It’s wonderful to have people with such great
personalities working with you – especially when you don’t feel
well! I was also pleased with how clean this hospital is.
Dawn Hoden
Hollywood, Maryland |
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I love St. Mary’s Hospital. I have had both of my children there
and absolutely love everyone in the Women’s Health & Family
Birthing Center. I checked in at the front desk and was given
immediate attention and instruction of where to go. The greeters
were very polite and very thoughtful. My admitting nurses on
the unit were warm, friendly and professional, everything went
completely smooth! During labor, Felicia Deese, RN was an
absolute lifesaver. She made all the difference and turned an
exhausting process into a wonderful experience. I had a great
stay and I would highly recommend St. Mary’s Hospital to anyone!
Kristen Albro
Chaptico, MD |
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I just want to recognize the outstanding
service I received in your Imaging
Department on August 30. The registrar,
Devon Mays-Word (pictured left), and
the X-Ray technician Nicole Schuhart,
were professional and efficient. If
everyone we came across were as pleasant and capable as
Devon, all of our lives would be improved. She was a joy to deal
with. Nicole made the entire X-ray process smooth as silk. She
explained the procedure in simple and easy-to-understand terms.
Portia Parker, Radiology Assisitant, is another fine SMH employee.
When I called the Imaging Dept. to obtain a copy of my X-rays, she
fully explained the process and requirements. Thanks again to all!
Jeffrey Manor
California, Maryland |
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I received wonderful, prompt, professional care from Dr. Mark
Henderson, Dr. Michael Travis and the St. Mary’s Hospital staff.
Camilla Godwin
Lady Lake, Florida |
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Recently, my daughter Katie cut her lip open while playing,
requiring us to make a trip to your Emergency Care Center. We
were taken immediately into Fast Track, where June Schaffer,
P.A. and Sue Leibe took extraordinary care of her. She required
several stitches – a difficult experience for any four-year old. Yet,
while June expertly performed the sewing, Sue entertained Katie
– keeping her ‘in stitches” – during the entire procedure! We were
in and out within a matter of a few short hours, having received the
best care available. My daughter had such a good time that she’s
even asked if we will be going back to visit June and Sue again
soon. Thank you for making our visit so easy and efficient!
Lisa Howard
Great Mills, Maryland |
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| Fall 2007 |
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Sunday evening, my daughter Chrissy was brought in to your
Emergency Care Center (ECC) when she began experiencing
stroke symptoms. I notified the hospital of her history and
immediately they called a Code Stroke. Upon arrival, around
11 p.m., Chrissy was assessed and the determination was
made to fly her to Washington Hospital Center (WHC). When
my husband, George and I left around 12:30 a.m. with her two
children, the helicopter was already on the pad and waiting.
We are so very grateful for the Stroke Team here. This
was the first time in Chrissy’s 3-year stroke history that she was
able to be properly evaluated and treated in a timely manner.
She continues as an inpatient at WHC where the neuro
and cardio teams are working to diagnose her. Without the
intervention of St. Mary’s Hospital ECC and our Code Stroke,
I’m not sure what the outcome might have been. Thank you,
everyone – especially Dr. Jennifer McQuiston and the entire
medical team for your compassionate care.
Eugenia Evans
Lusby, MD |
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I wanted to let you know what excellent service I received
recently in the Ambulatory Surgery Department at St. Mary’s
Hospital. I would be delighted if you would convey my gratitude
to the professionals that saw to my care.
On April 30, I checked in for a surgery. Everyone from
Joanne, the front desk volunteer and Tina the Nurse Tech, to Dr.
Tom Finkelston, my Anesthesiologist and Annmarie, my Nurse
Anesthetist were phenomenal care givers. The staff all put me
at ease and assured me that I would be just fine. In addition,
the employees in your Women’s Health & Family Birthing Center
had a professional attitude that shone through in their work.
Good experiences are not expressed often enough. We are
truly blessed to have a hospital of this quality in this community.
Again, thanks to all involved in my excellent care.
Raquel M. Chubb
Leonardtown, MD |
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This note is long overdue to thank you
for helping us prepare for the birth of our
daughter Audrey. The Parents-To-Be and
Infant Brain Development classes were
very informative, and all of the instructors
were extremely knowledgeable. We are
especially grateful for all of the guidance the breastfeeding
consultants provided to successfully get us through some
issues.
Allison and Jerry Swift
Lexington Park, MD |
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On May 9, Dr. Michael Mahaffey did a revised ileostomy at
SMH. He is surely the best surgeon! I could have gone to
George Washington University Hospital where I originally
had my ileostomy surgery but I wanted Dr. Mahaffey because
previously he had done my proctectomy. I put all of my trust in
Dr. Mahaffey.
In addition to my great experience with Dr. Mahaffey,
I want to commend two Nurse Techs who were so kind and
greeted me with the utmost benevolence every time they
entered my room. Pam Mason and Vickie Spalding supplied me
with tea and made sure that I was comfortable! In addition, my
nurse, Jamie Miller went out of her way to ensure that I was well
taken care of. Each time she explained something to me, she
made sure I understood so that there were no surprises for me
when I went home. I felt reassured when she came in and I saw
who it was. She went out of her way for my requests, which I
know there were many, and tried to fulfill each one of them.
SMH was so clean (I mean CLEAN) and everything
seemed to run like clockwork. If I ever need an ambulance, I
will have my husband drive over the bridge to St. Mary’s side,
and from there, call the rescue squad so that I will be promptly
taken to SMH. Please make sure that each of these individuals
knows that I had a most superb stay!
Sheryl L. Strohm
Lusby, MD |
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| Summer 2007 |
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When I tell people that St. Mary’s Hospital is the best hospital I have ever known - if they also have been a patient or knew someone who has been a patient - they immediately agree with me! So the following accolades are not isolated incidents. I was in your hospital for four days for a knee replacement surgery. From intake to discharge I was treated with the utmost respect, genuine caring and kindness, and a professionalism that not only reassured me, but also consistently provided the best care possible. My questions and concerns were quickly and completely answered. All procedures were fully explained and essentially, I became an integral part of my own recovery. I even liked the food!
I know that people can be taught a skill or even a set of skills that may indicate professional competency and your staff certainly exhibits such competency. But the respect, sincerity and caring brought to your hospital by your nurses, technicians and physical therapy staff cannot be taught, and are crucial to any team responsible for the health and healing of patients. I know I am very grateful to all of them.
Dorothy Gregan
White Plains, MD |
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My daughter, Brittany, was brought in by ambulance from St. Mary’s Ryken high school. First I’d like to thank the Emergency Medical Technicians, as they were caring and kind. Second I’d like to thank Brittany’s nurse who was efficient, caring and helped to lighten the mood and third I’d like to thank Jill Bujnevicie, PA who was efficient, professional, calming and friendly. At times I wish we were civilian so we could use your hospital on a regular basis. Thanks again!
Stacy Miller
La Plata, MD |
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The purpose of this letter is to commend St. Mary’s Hospital for the wonderful care my Dad received during the last week of his life. The performance of your Emergency Care Center nurses, technicians, nutritionists and other professionals in providing services to my Dad was truly outstanding and extraordinarily compassionate. You often hear how seniors are not treated with the same high bar of care as others, but this definitely was not the case in our experience at St. Mary’s Hospital.
I wish to especially commend Magan Hall, RN, for her efforts to make my Dad comfortable and at peace. In his last days my Dad was extremely agitated about wanting to “sit up” and “stand.” Despite the fact that he was so weak that I didn’t think this was possible, Ms. Hall suggested that we try to get him sitting up on the side of the bed and, with the help of an aid, the three of us were able to get him sitting up with his feet on the floor in socks Magan had adapted with her scissors to accommodate his swollen ankles. My Dad seemed so delighted to sit on the side of the bed with his feet on the floor, had five or so sips of ice cream, then after five minutes or so, said he was tired and wanted to lie back down. From that time on he was peaceful, content, and died peacefully approximately 24 hours later. Ms. Hall’s efforts to deal with his last wish to “sit up” and “stand” appeared to grant him the peace he needed to pass on. It was not necessary for Ms. Hall to make this extra effort on my Dad’s behalf, but her doing so demonstrates her dedication to her profession.
Ms. Hall’s efforts to give my Dad this last comfort are truly commendable and a testament to her outstanding service as a healthcare provider. Our family is eternally grateful for her efforts.
Dorothy Lawrence
Cincinnati, Ohio |
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| Spring 2007 |
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I would like to share with you the exceptional job that a team of St. Mary’s doctors, nurses and a director did to save my newborn son’s life. They are Dr. Valinda Nwadike, OB/GYN, Dr. Yaacov Zamel, Pediatric Hospitalist, Elizabeth Schaeffer, RN, Director Nursing Resources, Julie Rambo, RN, Pam Shaw, RN and Erin Hunter, RN. On August 14, my husband and I came to St. Mary’s for a repeat cesarean section of our second child. The pregnancy was normal, however, our son was having complications and was transferred to Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC. As you know, a parent can’t put a price on their children’s life, and we can’t begin to express just how much we appreciate this team’s successful efforts to save our child and have him transferred safely to Children’s National Medical Center. The surgeons at Children’s gave him his life, but it was your medical team who gave him that option. Your staff deserve the highest acknowledgment!
Greg and Jennifer Muschlitz
Lusby, MD |
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Recently we welcomed our second daughter Alana, at St. Mary’s Hospital. This was another great experience with professionals providing top of the line care. In addition to the good service received during my stay at the hospital I received excellent help from the Breastfeeding Resource Center. Lori and Sue were very helpful in getting me through a bumpy-start. Sue also taught the Big Brother/Big Sister class at SMH and my daughter Sadie adored her. Sue is one of the most upbeat people I know, constantly wearing a smile. I am happy and proud to say both of my daughters were born here. It was a pleasant experience.
Erin Corbin
Lexington Park, MD |
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I am writing to you because I would like for you to know what excellent care I was given while I was a patient at St. Mary’s Hospital, especially nurse technician, Stephanie Nelson. She was so thoughtful and helpful in every way to make sure I was cared for. It was a pleasure to know that there are still people like Stephanie in the world, so caring and giving of herself. Everyone else treated me very nicely also but she went out of her way to make sure I was very comfortable.
I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
Shirley Quade
Hollywood, MD |
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I had knee replacement surgery at your hospital. I was so pleased with your clean hospital and your wonderful staff. I will be coming to St. Mary’s again for my other knee surgery and I have the highest praise for your hospital, your employees are the best!
Dorothy Gregan
White Plains, MD |
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| Winter 2006 |
On September 29, 2006 at approximately
2:15 a.m., my father, Robert B.
Norris, Sr. came into the Emergency
Care Center (ECC) in extreme respiratory
distress. Our family knew we
were getting close to the end with dad,
but did not want to give up yet. Your
staff recognized this immediately and
went out of their way to make accommodations
for us.
We had never met Dr. Michael
Somers before, but we couldn’t have
asked for a more compassionate and
considerate physician. He summed
up the situation in a few minutes and
was very tactful and honest with us at
the same time. He explained everything
to dad, took the family aside and
explained everything to us, and then
brought everyone back together to
make sure that we all understood the
seriousness of the situation.
The nurses and technicians were
also extremely kind, sensitive and
helpful. The nurses, Erin and Susan,
the technician, Michelle and a few others
that we do not know the names of,
were efficient but compassionate with
dad and the family. They understood
we had not reached the letting go
point, nor had dad. We feel they went
out of their way to make us feel as
comfortable as possible while dad and
the family made decisions about what
he wanted. They allowed us to feel
like we were contributing to his care
while he was in the ECC.
The trip to St. Mary’s Hospital that
night was not one we looked forward
to, but your staff made it so much
more bearable than it could have
been. Their sensitivity and kindness
will always stay with our family.
Dad died the next day, but we know
because of the wonderful care he
received in the ECC, your staff made his passing just a little bit easier for us,
including dad.
We wish to thank you and your
wonderful staff as well as Dr. Somers
for all that was done for dad, not
only the physical treatment, but the
emotional care as well. It helps us as
we start trying to fill the void that dad
left in all our lives whenever we think
back to that night in the ECC.
With much gratitude,
The Robert Norris Family
Hollywood, MD
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The Georgetown Visitation Preparatory
School community, faculty, staff,
parents and students wish to thank
you for the professional and compassionate
care that you extended to our
juniors following the accident they
suffered on Friday, October 6th. Your
entire staff responded to the needs of
our students in a way that not only addressed
the injuries they sustained but,
more importantly for most, calmed
frayed nerves and reassured them that
they were in good hands. Your concern
was evident and helped to allay
the fears of the parents who received
regular updates via student cell phone.
We are grateful to the Emergency Care Center team, the nurses, chaplains,
support staff and all who extended
that unique Southern Maryland
hospitality to some strangers from “up
the road.” Please accept the enclosed
donation as a token of our appreciation.
Warmest regards,
Daniel M. Kerns, Jr.
Headmaster Georgetown
Visitation Preparatory School
Note: On the afternoon of
October 6, 2006, St. Mary’s Hospital
called a Code Yellow external disaster
when two buses containing over 70
students collided in the southern part
of the county. The previous weekend,
the hospital had enacted a Code Yellow
drill, one of the various methods
SMH uses for emergency preparedness.
These drills equip physicians and
employees with the experience to act
quickly, yet with carefully thought-out
emergency plans. |
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