Excerpt from Letter to the Editor

Job well done

Wichita Falls I sat there in the waiting room flipping through "Guideposts," my internal dialogue churning away. Mom was in surgery at the new Bridwell Towers and even though I had prayers going up to heaven, I felt that they did not get past the high cathedral ceiling.

I looked up from my magazine, snapping back to the current situation, there she stood, my angel, Cindy, with that signature smile.

I wasn't her only mission, but she made me feel that way. Cindy possesses the proper balance between compassion and professionalism. As I watched her make her way around the massive waiting area she, instinctively, knew which person needed a touch on the shoulder, a smile, a listening ear, or just the facts.

As I thought about it, all of our encounters, Ashley, Jeremy, Lois, Sue, Noel, the recovery nurses were excellent representatives of the hospital. I could write a separate book for our godsend, Dr. Godfrey, what a gift he is to our city.

Thank you, United Regional, for incorporating this much needed liaison position, for rendering the best of care to my precious mom, and for providing the most capable physicians and staff, the newest technology and equipment that would rival any larger city.

January, 2012

Patrice Franklin

Dear United Regional,

(Letter Excerpt)

... it is very difficult to create an environment in which such dedication and collaboration flourishes, but you have done just that. We experienced your team to be more effective than any we have experienced in the New York City area.

We felt very privileged to share the end of our long gestational care journey with the staff in your nursery, and we would not hesitate to very highly recommend the nursery at your institution. We feel that our babies could not have gotten any better care in the most renowned of urban hospitals.

Butler, New Jersey

September 2010

Dear United Regional

(Letter Excerpt)

“I recently spent 4 nights on this unit [6 Center] and have never had the personal care and professionalism I experienced there. Not once did I see a face that was not smiling. Everyone who entered my room introduced him/herself and addressed me by name. Every incoming shift wrote names on the board so I could remember them, and every one of them made me feel as though my care was of utmost importance...

 …The camaraderie and pleasure these people are getting from their work, and their co-workers, let me know that someone must be listening and responding to their concerns. You have a great team there and should be very proud of them all.”

Iowa Park

2011 

Dear United Regional,

On April 19, my husband, Danny Ingle, was brought in by ambulance with a massive heart attack.

My first inkling that things would be alright and that Danny was going to receive prompt and excellence care, was when Sid, the Security Guard, told me he was going to be well taken care of, not to panic, stay calm and stay out of the way. Leave it to Sid to inject some humor in a tense time! Then all these people were suddenly there in that little room doing all sorts of things to my husband...

I do not know and do not remember the names of the medical professionals who saved his life... I would like to thank each one of them... He was only in your care in the ER for a few minutes before being whisked to the Cath Lab but you folks were instrumental in getting him stable and giving him quality care.

Truly, I am indebted. I have a new respect for each of you and the jobs you do so very well! And you saved his suspenders and did not cut them off, his major concern at the time!! The sweet nurse assured him she would not cut them off if he could just lift up for a moment. You did not have to do that… it would have been easier to just go snip, snip!..

Yours very respectfully,

Judy Mowery Ingle

June 2010

Dear United Regional,

A friend of mine came into our hospital last Friday. I was visiting with his wife and she told me another friend from Henrietta [name] came up Saturday to visit. The friend has major heart problems and is unable to walk very far on his own. When he arrived at the Bridwell Tower, the valet service was not available because it was the weekend. . .

He called the hospital operator on his cell phone, explained his situation and asked where the closest place would be for him to park. The operator transferred my friend to someone who told him to find a place to park and then call him back and tell him where he was.

My friend did so and shortly, a United Regional employee showed up at his car with a wheelchair and took him to his friend’s hospital room. The visitor could not believe the level of service United Regional provided to him. He told the patient’s wife how impressed he was . . .

It really points out that while we care about our patients, we care about people in general. We try to take care of everyone. I don’t know the employees involved in this interaction on Saturday, but they are to be commended. That is why I am proud to be part of United Regional.

Regards,

Lanny Evans, Information Services

March 2010

Dear United Regional,

We write this letter to express our gratitude and appreciation for the excellent care provided to our daughter, who was brought to the ER on [date] with [condition]. Her condition was handled swiftly, professionally and with skill and great kindness. Everyone involved was very concerned about our daughter, as if she was their own, and our emotional wellbeing, as if we were their family.

Wichita Falls

August 2010

(Excerpt from a Wichita Falls Times Record News letter to the editor)

Dear Editor,

...The purpose of this letter is to inform you and others of the experience and quality of care my wife and I received this December during the birth of our baby girl...

My wife and I are both 36 years old and have visited many hospitals from Denver, Colorado, Dallas/Ft. Worth and all the way down to Galveston. Having eight brothers and sisters with 15 nieces and nephews between us, we thought we had a pretty good idea what you might expect from a hospital and staff in a birthing facility. United Regional and Bridwell Tower have set a new standard. We still can’t believe how incredibly caring and warm your staff was during our 3-day stay.

...We are so very pleased to tell everyone how wonderful mother-to-be’s experience was and how our expectations were surpassed... valet parking, ordering breakfast, lunch and dinner from a menu - including appetizers and dessert. An amazing mother/baby room with round-the-clock assistance. We truly made new friends...

Mike Luttrell

Wichita Falls

December 2009

(Excerpt from a Wichita Falls Times Record News letter to the editor)

I recently underwent hip replacement surgery. Of course, one of the first questions anyone asks is, “Who did your surgery?" Then, "Why didn’t you go to DFW area where the good doctors are?”

My response is: "Why would I? We have a wonderful orthopedic surgeon right here in Wichita Falls."

Dr. Joshua Schacter is the most caring, knowledgeable and professional young doctor I have ever had the privilege of meeting. It is very obvious that he has a real passion for what he does in the care that he gives his patients and their families.

He takes the time to ensure that all of your questions are answered.

I know of many others who have made the trip to DFW to have orthopedic surgeries performed and not only is it a hardship on their families who want to be with them, but their lives are often put in the hands of strangers that they will never see again. Follow up visits are an all-day ordeal.

My surgery and five day stay in United Regional hospital were absolutely wonderful! During a very frightening and uncomfortable time, my family and I had the best of care.

If any of you are in need of an orthopedic doctor I highly recommend Dr. Schacter. Better hurry though. Word of his excellence is traveling fast!

Janice Phillips, Burkburnett

October 2010