Sandy Jones, R.N.

On Jan. 15, Dr. Clinton Atkinson performed surgery on me for an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The stay in CVT/ ISU following this procedure was made tolerable by the excellent care and attention given me by nurse Sandy Jones.

I can’t say enough about her capabilities and warmth in caring for me. How fortunate was I, and are you, for having her in your employ.

John W. Oliver
Pinehurst

Both my wife and I attended FirstHealth’s Diabetes Self-Management Program. We certainly appreciate the fact that you have made this program available and have conducted it in a very professional manner.

In particular, as a long-term diabetic, I found that the course conducted by your dietitian Debra Deschamps and your nurse Phyllis Simmons were very helpful and practical. Their seminars were excellent and each of them certainly knew her subject matter well.

Tom Chance
Southern Pines

On Friday afternoon, July 7, a very dear person to our family, as well as our community, was lost. My uncle, Jimmy Saunders, was a patient at FirstHealth Montgomery Memorial Hospital. He was being treated for recurrent pneumonia and, as his condition worsened, he passed away. He had several admissions prior to this, primarily for the treatment of pneumonia that on occasion required his transfer to FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital.

On the day of his death, all members of our large family, as well as close friends, were present. The nursing staff at FirstHealth Montgomery Memorial provided such compassionate care to him as well as his family and friends. Lela Thompson, R.N., Sandra Davis, R.N., and Jeanette Deaton, LPN, just to name a few, made us feel like we were their only concern.

My uncle and family had the choice of going to a larger hospital, but always chose FirstHealth Montgomery Memorial due to their love of hometown faces as well as top-quality nursing care. While our loss can never be completely fulfilled, it gives us peace knowing that he received such gentle care and kindness during his last days.

Kelly Smith
Mt. Gilead

I recently returned home after being in Moore Regional Hospital for a brief stay. I wanted you to know how caring were the nurses who took care of me. The “room service” food menus were great and offered a wide variety of foods, and the meals were delicious.

I want to make a special note of the young student nurses, Krystal Barbour and Hope Sheffield, and LPN Sherrie Bodily who cared for me and to have their special attention relayed to their supervisors to let them know how appreciated their service was to me. Many thanks for a very pleasant stay.

Jeanne R. Bosworth
Pinehurst

This letter is to thank you for the FirstQuit program. I have tried to quit smoking several times, but have failed until I joined the FirstQuit program. With the FirstQuit program and Dianne Homan’s help, I have not smoked since Jan. 7, 2006. Dianne has always been there for me with information on smoking and with supplies.

This is a great program, and I hope it continues so it can help others who want to quit smoking. Dr. Harvey Schwartz of Pinehurst Allergy recommended this program, and quitting smoking has helped my allergies and health.

Once again, thank you for this program.

Barbara A. Miklos
Pinehurst

Please pass along my commendations to a service unit at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital. Countless people depend upon this unit: physicians, other providers, patients, family members, medical and administrative staff and, without exaggeration, throughout this region, the public at large. This unit is the repository of vital information, information that is sought after around the clock, to include weekends and holidays.

However, unlike the Emergency Department, few people know where members of this group work. That is understandable since the public hears them but seldom sees them. Their voices are well known, and the information they provide is vital for effective communication. This unit is, of course, Switchboard Services.

Four hospital operators and Assistant Director Wanda Hardister (standing)
are shown during a morning shift at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital.

In my opinion, they have standards of practice worthy of emulation. They maintain a call log that permits them to retrieve information about calls made days earlier. When I have had difficulty knowing how to contact a colleague, they have searched their own directory in order to resolve this problem. They work assiduously to help providers and patients communicate successfully. Their telephone manner could be compared with good bedside manner. It is uniform, insightful, courteous and empathetic. This group has contributed immeasurably to my own practice of medicine.

Edward N. Squire Jr., M.D., MPH
Asthma, Allergy & Immunology PLLC
Seven Lakes

I would like to commend the staff of FirstHealth Montgomery Memorial Hospital. I have suffered from Wegener’s vasculitis for more than 10 years. Through this time, I have been admitted to Moore Regional, Montgomery Memorial and N.C. Memorial Hospital at Chapel Hill for a total of 46 times.

Last week, I came home from a short stay at the beach to “home,” meaning this time to the Emergency Department at Montgomery Memorial Hospital. Every staff member treated me with a gentle kindness that made my stay so much easier to bear. After being moved to the third floor for a couple of days of observation, I was allowed to come home—rested, still a little sick, but so much better off.

Please tell your staff—doctors, nurses and support staff— that I am so thankful for the kindness and, dare I say, the love they showed to my family and me.

Robert Dawkins
Troy