My mother died in the Palmer-Hinson Care Unit at FirstHealth Richmond Memorial Hospital in May.

She suffered a massive stroke April 1 and was rushed to your ICU.

She was later moved to Palmer-Hinson for possible rehabilitation. This did not develop, because her condition worsened.

I want to express my sincere gratitude to the medical staff to whom her care was entrusted.

Dr. Luiz Nascimento provided excellent medical care and showed a sincere, selfless bedside manner at all times that I observed him. He provided an accurate prognosis of Mama’s condition and provided me with valuable information in making a critical decision.

Your ICU staff must be commended on their professional staff, caring performance during Mama’s stay.

At no time did I find the medical attention lacking on my many visits to the ICU.

I commend Summer Phifer of Palmer-Hinson for demonstrating to be one of the most professional nurses that I have observed in my lifetime. I’ve seen nurses in action in Vietnam and many other conflicts throughout a 28-year military career. I can attest that she can perform with the best. Summer, too, provided me with valuable information and presented a caring, selfless demeanor in her approach to address my questions.

My last comments pertain to Beth Thomas, the Palmer-Hinson social worker. Beth provided me with all the pertinent medical documents, clarification and just top-notch professionalism in her performance. As an N.C. Vocational Rehabilitation counselor in Cumberland County, I observe social workers on a weekly basis.

Beth can run circles around all assigned in various medical and social work settings that I come in contact with. Beth made herself available to me both night and day, and demonstrated that she was offering advice and guidance as though it was her mama who was in Palmer-Hinson. This impressed me. Beth’s professionalism, personal attributes and competence are at the top of the social work spectrum.

I would like to see the above personnel recognized in some type of public forum. Their conduct and competence should be an example for others to follow. God bless all medical professionals.

Rodney F. Dutton
Fayetteville

On Feb. 22, 2005, I gave birth to my son. He was seven weeks early and weighed 5 pounds, 15 ounces. I had a four-day stay in Moore Regional Hospital on floor 2A, and my son was in the NICU.

From the Operating Room to 2A to NICU, my husband and I came across some of the best nurses and doctors we have ever known. They were kind, considerate and caring, and did a great job of taking care of us. I felt like I had to find a way to thank them personally.

Deborah Letarte in the Operating Room, thank you for holding my hand when I needed it.

Dr. Stephen Szabo, thank you for delivering my son safe and sound. The nurses of 2A-Donna, Stacey, Robin-thank you for making my stay comfortable.

And, last but not least, the nurses of the NICU-Kelly Biegger, Angie Bishop, Debbie Davies-who took excellent care of my son, Aiden. I may have forgotten a few names, but to everyone, thank you for your compassion and knowledge of what a nurse should be.

My son was released on Feb. 28, and he is doing great.

Charlotte Kennedy
Pinehurst

To God be the glory for the sincere kindness I received during my hospital stay at FirstHealth Richmond Memorial. To each and every member of the staff comes my heartfelt gratitude for the kindness, consideration and special care you showed me.

No words can truly express how appreciative my wife and I are. From the doctors, Dr. Bharatkumar Thakkar, internal medicine, and Dr. H.L. El-Droubi, urology, to the housekeeping department, to the staff that makes the beds and cleans the rooms, you are truly a great team of individuals. Every shift was excellent. Each person went above and beyond the call of duty as a nurse and staff.

I will always be grateful to one special nurse, Glenda Davis. Even though she worked the 12-hour shift, she always entered my room with a warm, reassuring smile and encouraging words. Not one day passed that she did not check on my recovery. Even on her day off, the door opened and here entered that wonderful, encouraging smile.

Physically, I knew I was ill, but everyone made me feel so comfortable. The fear of being in a hospital was alleviated. The staff made me feel as if I was the only patient in the entire hospital.

Thank God for such a fine team of professionals.
I will forever be grateful to each and every one of you.

The Rev. R.J. Ingram
Lilesville

It can be said that FirstHealth employees can be rated among the excellent in the health care industry. More to the point of this letter, there are a few employees at the FirstHealth Center for Heath & Fitness-Pinehurst whom I would like to bring to your attention.

As background, I should note that I am wheelchair-dependent, but independently dealing with a spinal cord injury. The swimming pool at the Center for Health & Fitness is a unique facility that affords me the opportunity to exercise thoroughly.

Among the key personnel with whom I frequently work there are Pam McCauley at the front desk, Bonnie Mossboll on lifeguard duty and Charles Pritchard of the pool office.

As a group, these people have been most helpful to me, always affable in conversation, always ready to assist me in navigating the hallways from the lobby to the pool deck and always alert for my well-being while I'm in the Center.

Mr. Pritchard (Charlie), in particular, was most recently at the forefront of the above group. I had called him to ask if he could take action to provide a wall-mounted safety handrail in the poolside locker room.

In that locker room (designated with the familiar handicap logo), there were no safety handrails within reach of wheelchair occupants.

At my age (70 years), I had become a bit less sprightly than in former times.

I wasn’t sure whether such an installation was feasible, because the locker room wall was solid cinder block. But much to my surprise and relief, Charlie came through! It took about two weeks, but upon its completion, he called to let me know that the job was done and “to come on down.” Indeed, he was right. Not only was there a handrail at just the right height, but he had also installed non-skid rubber floor matting to cover the cement deck.

It’s difficult to describe the feeling of relief and security I now have when getting ready to swim. Initiative, care and accomplishments such as those I’ve described may not seem as major to many, but to me, they represent something remarkable and deserving of recognition. I trust that you will agree with me.

I simply cannot allow any more time to pass before I share my thoughts about the care and service FirstHealth Hospice provided to my husband, David, and our family.

What all of you did to contribute to David’s well-being and comfort—and that of our whole family—during the last 19 days of his life cannot be measured in any way, let alone with just a few words.

I have always known that Hospice is a special gift, but now I will join the chorus and lead the band, singing the praises of FirstHealth Hospice. Thank you.

Everyone with whom we had contact—Diane Calhoun, who visited us initially; the social workers; the nurses; Keith McDaniel; the young lady who came to help us bathe David; and even the men who so thoughtfully and gently delivered the oxygen, the hospital bed, wheelchair, etc.—everyone made those last days of David’s so much easier and less stressful than they would have been had we been all alone. I have not felt completely alone since David died. There has been a constant flow of care and concern coming from Hospice.

Thank you so very much.

I would especially like to mention the on-call nurse, Karen Hoffman.

She was the first person to come to visit and talk to David about how he was and what Hospice could and would do to help.

She and David sat at our kitchen table and immediately struck up a friendship that would match any longstanding friendships. During the next 18 days, Karen became like a member of our family. She was here the night David died. She attended to David, but more than that, she “ministered” to all of us, respectful of the hurt and anguish we were all experiencing. I have threatened to adopt Karen and I think I just might do it—in spirit, but not legally.

Thank you, (Hospice Director) Charlotte Patterson for all of that. I understand fully why our son, John, (director of the FirstHealth Centers for Health & Fitness) proudly boasts that FirstHealth Hospice is known as THE model for other hospices all over this country.

Saralou D. Caliri
Southern Pines

I want to take a moment to tell you what an asset you have in your employee, Mr. Jamie Smith in Patient Accounts.

During 2004, I went from insurance via COBRA to company insurance. Then five months later, that company changed insurance companies. Through a one-year plan of three types of insurance, Billing worked hard to keep up. It was quite disconcerting.

Mr. Smith was finally able to give me concrete answers and get it sorted.

It wasn’t easy. It took him a day or two to sort it out, but he did. I greatly appreciate it.

So give him a pat on the back.

He deserves it.

Rachel Powers
Southern Pines