I am a 75-year-old

I am very fortunate to have had excellent medical care professionals and am blessed with a discipline that enables me to manage my diabetes. I have been an outspoken critic of some in the medical profession because of the absence of good care and education for many diabetics.

I have just read the summer 2006 edition of the FirstHealth of the Carolinas magazine. The cover showed a young boy wearing a hockey helmet and mask, sitting by a hockey rink, looking at a glucose meter. The caption reads, “Living with Diabetes.”

I looked in the table of contents and found there are nine articles on the subject of diabetes, plus a letter from Stuart G. Voelpel, chief operating officer and president of Moore Regional FirstHealth Hospital, whose wife is a type 1 diabetic.

I read each article and the letter. This collection of information is the best I have seen in the 22 years I have known I am a diabetic—and I have been a voracious student of the subject.

I encourage each person who is a diabetic, or knows of anyone with diabetes, to obtain a copy of this publication. Read and study the articles. Share them with your medical care professional and ask, “Why are we not following this type of diabetes management program?”

Lou Clay
Pinehurst

We recently had an emergency at our home. My husband woke up with slurred speech and a drooping cheek, and he felt dizzy. Thank God, I was able to convince him that we needed to go to the emergency room immediately. I thought it was a slight stroke.

When we walked in, I told the lady at the desk what our problem was. We were taken in a very few minutes, and your staff began tests immediately. Dr. Robert Bahner was on call. An ultrasound was taken, there was a CT scan, my husband’s heart was monitored, and his blood pressure was taken. Many questions were asked along the way. I was most impressed by all who were involved in that day. It was our “lucky day,” and everything just clicked.

Nothing was found until Dr. Bruce Solomon called for an MRI that evening. By morning, Dr. Solomon gave us the verdict. Dick had a light blood clot in one of the blood vessels to his brain, so the necessary treatment was given and the clot was dissolved. How happy we were to finally have an answer to the problem.

We would like all to know how much we appreciate all your expertise in time of need. Dick was released the next day with a change of medication, and he’s doing fine. It certainly was scary for me, but I could tell we had the very best of care at your hospital, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We will be celebrating our silver wedding anniversary on Dec. 13, 2006, because we had the very best care at FirstHealth of the Carolinas.

Penny Essig
Pinehurst

I just want to take a moment and personally thank the Labor & Delivery staff of Moore Regional Hospital for the wonderful care that they provided to my wife and new daughter. I am the proud father of a beautiful baby girl, and I cannot say enough about the staff.

We presented to L&D about 2 p.m. on Saturday and were immediately met by Pam Sheffield, R.N., who took us to the holding room and began the assessment. Her nursing skills and bedside manner are second to none. She was assisted during this time by Melonie Pusser, R.N., who also possesses excellent skills and bedside manner. Even though my wife is an R.N., she still had some anxiety due to this being our first child. Those thoughts quickly went away after a few moments with these exceptional nurses. The day progressed, and we were moved to Delivery Room 5. Shift change brought us Debbie Wade, R.N., and another wonderful nurse whose name I can’t recall. They were great.

The epidural was placed without any problem, but my wife began reacting with some hypotension and chest heaviness after a little while. Debbie was quick to recognize this and treated it accordingly. She was also great at coaching my wife through her contractions as delivery became imminent. The actual delivery was quite traumatic for my wife, who suffered significant injury due to the size of our little girl, but your staff comforted and reassured her during the procedure to repair the injury.

The next shift change brought us Marie Johnson, R.N. What a blessing she is! She helped with my wife’s bath and transition to the OB floor. She and Debbie even came to check on us Sunday night when they returned to work.

When we arrived in Room 2008, we were greeted by Donna McLean, LPN. In my opinion, she is the definition of what a nurse should be. If I could rewrite Webster’s, I would put her picture beside the word “nurse.” Words cannot express how great she is. We didn’t want for anything. She is so caring and compassionate.

Tina Luther, R.N., and Stephanie Wright, R.N., completed our wonderful experience of exceptional care and compassion. I am sure that there are others whom I have failed to mention, and for that I apologize. I could go on and on about how pleased we were with this whole experience. It is great to see FirstHealth’s core purpose, to care for people, in action.

Grant Hunsucker
Ellerbe

(The following note concerns the Mobile Health Services van that takes health screenings—including PSAs, mammography, and diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol screenings—to community and work site locations in the FirstHealth coverage area.)

Thank you for your time, your work and your friendship for the members at Roseland United Methodist Church. You are an asset to our community.

Phyllis Madison
Secretary
Roseland United Methodist Church, Aberdeen

My mother, Esther Bell, who died in FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, had been a patient at different times for a total of 26 days. I am still telling my friends about the wonderful care she received from everyone associated with Moore Regional.

The nursing care and attention she received could not have been better. Everyone really went way beyond the call of duty. Sometimes the ones who get overlooked are those on the bottom of the totem pole, and I suppose the real purpose of this letter is to acknowledge your hard-working transporters. They were so gentle and caring of my mother. I remember Dennis Gains who took the time to get her an extra blanket and who was genuinely saddened on hearing of her death. I remember Chauncey Brown, who took time to ask my mom questions about her family and remembered names and, when seeing me in the hall, never failed to ask about Mom. Then there was George Benjamin, who always had a smile and could bring a little cheer to such a sick lady. And, of course, there was Elijah Bronson with his colorful hair, who was always so prompt and, too, added a kind word.

These young men truly are a testimony to your facility, and I personally thank you for putting the right people in place to hire such great employees.

Lorraine Bruacker
Vass

On March 27, 2006, I was seen by my family physician, Dr. Gilbert Arenas, for a burn on my left foot. He called and made arrangements for me to be seen at the Physical Therapy department at FirstHealth Richmond Memorial Hospital.

Upon my arrival at Outpatient, the staff was very friendly and helpful, especially Registration Clerk Audrea Fields. I was treated in Physical Therapy, primarily by Director Heather Buie and the staff. I have nothing but compliments for the professional treatment and the courtesy of the staff. My injury has improved 100 percent. Also, my appointments were always on time.

Cary Dawkins
Chief of Police
Richmond County Schools
Hamlet

As a registered nurse for 30 years now working in acute care, teaching in an ADN program and practicing in public health, I realize that I have a very critical eye and expectations regarding nursing care. All of my expectations were met by your staff during our seven-day experience. Our parents, John and Virginia Davis, were patients in FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital before Christmas.

All of your staff was professional and caring. Not only were they advocates for the patients, but they were sensitive to the family’s needs to be aware and involved in this very difficult situation.

I want to specifically recognize Jackie Gilks, R.N. As an R.N., I certainly appreciated her professionalism, caring and marvelous ability to assess all aspects of the situation (physical, emotional and spiritual) and then defining a plan that was best for the patient. It is with pride that I recognize Jackie as a true professional.

Gwen B. Davis, R.N.
Hartsville, S.C.

I am writing to share with you the experiences of my family at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital. Most of my family relocated from New York to North Carolina 10 years ago. Needless to say, it caused me great anxiety, because my parents have complex health issues and, with the move, I lost oversight of their health care.

The care of my family during their many hospitalizations has been extraordinary. Every single person that we have interacted with during each hospitalization went beyond the call of duty to meet the needs of our family. Recently, my father underwent emergency surgery at Moore and again experienced the expertise of three units during his stay. The coordination, communication and advocacy for my father was superb. As you can imagine, I am a challenging family member. The nursing staff kept me apprised of his status until I could fly from Rochester to Pinehurst. I was able to call and speak directly to his nurse and then visit at any time of day. His night nurse said to me, “I would rather you call than worry ... That is why we are here.”

I was amazed with the technology and the facility. The robots that deliver medications to the units are quite impressive. The nurses had the tools at their fingertips to discuss clinical findings and communicate with physicians directly. I loved the passion the nurses had for their patients. It was obvious that they loved nursing and their organization. As health care professionals in a tobacco state, they took a big risk a year and a half ago when they went smoke-free on their entire campus. I saw full support of the policy while I was there.

My father told me he asked one of his nurses if Moore was a Magnet (nursing) hospital. The nurse told him that they were on the journey and had just submitted their application. The nurse shared how she drove more than an hour each way so that she could practice at Moore.

My father told me that the nurses at Moore make him feel that I am a little closer to him. He believes that they are a Magnet hospital. What more can a daughter ask! I sleep better at night knowing my parents have a hospital with outstanding nurses in their area.

Deb Zimmermann R.N., CNAA
Chief Nursing Officer and
Senior Vice President
Rochester General Hospital
Rochester, N.Y.

I recently had hernia surgery in the Outpatient wing at Moore Regional Hospital. The care that I received from the time I walked in the hospital until the time I was wheeled out was most impressive. I want to say a very big thank you to the staff who took care of me during my stay—the surgeon, Dr. John Fessenden; the anesthesiologist; the Operating Room staff; and the Recovery Room staff.

I was a very sick person after surgery. The nurses in the Recovery Room stayed with me for a long while and made sure that I was OK before moving me. Another nurse stayed with me until I was discharged. Please let your staff know how much I appreciate what they did. If I ever need to go back into the hospital, I hope it’s in your hospital.

J.R. Gibbons
Cameron

(The three following notes were written to the staff of the Palmer Hinson Care Center at FirstHealth Richmond Memorial Hospital.)

We personally want to thank the Palmer Hinson staff for the love and care shown us during the illness and passing of our mother. We truly appreciate each and every one of you. May God bless you and continue to shine upon you. Special thanks to Sandra Armstrong and Mary Terry. We could not ask for a better staff than the people working in Palmer Hinson.

Margie James
Morven

Words can never say how much I appreciate all you folks did for Donald and our family. I appointed you all part of our family, and I guess you know that. We love and will miss you all.

Gail Childress
Rockingham

I wanted to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for the quality care you gave my mom, Mildred Kelly Bowen, while she was a resident at Palmer Hinson. She was treated with dignity and respect by all of you. I cannot remember all of you by name but, needless to say, this is for all the staff at Palmer Hinson.

I saw firsthand every day the quality care Mama received. You truly are doing the Lord’s work in your daily lives. Even though it is a job, you are taking care of our most needy. The sick and ailing need folks like you.

Ron Bowen
Hamlet