The following comments were submitted in response to Alden Solovy's article,  In Gratitude for Hospitals.

Dear Mr. Solovy,

My deepest sympathies to you and your daughters regarding your loss. I also want to thank you for sharing such a personal story with all of your readers. We often talk about the meaning of the blue and white “H” sign as being so unique and special because it represents the nurses, the doctors, the therapists and so many others that deliver care each and every day. As your article reflects, the “compassion and respect” that Ami, you and your family experienced is so important and never to be taken for granted by any of us working in health care. Your words so eloquently conveyed that, and I hope others read your column like I have and take pride in what they do, understand how important what they do is to so many patients and their families, and that most of all, that they never lose sight of the unique and special mission that those who work in hospitals have to offer hope, to heal, to support all those who need care. Again, thank you so much for sharing your experience and offering it to all of your readers.

Paula A. Bussard, senior vice president, policy and regulatory services
The Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, Pa.

I’m writing to thank Alden Solovy for the kind words. So many articles are addressed to the physicians. No discredit to the doctors, but more often than not it’s other health care team members who are at the bedside and delivering the compassion which is so appreciated by families. I’m looking forward to Obama’s health care reform, which will allow more time at the bedside, something we need very much.

Jan Lesight, R.N.-B.C., Homosassa Springs, Fla.

I just finished reading Mr. Solovy’s article “In Gratitude for Hospitals.” I was deeply touched by his very personal account and would like to thank him for sharing his story and perspective. As his article shared, it’s vital for all of us in the health care industry to remember the importance of compassion in our work. It’s nice to hear an example of how one organization has instilled this perspective into their culture and what a difference it makes to patients and their families.

I am also very appreciative that at this time of sorrow he was able to share his story and offer such a simple and complete commentary on why so many of us are motivated to work in hospitals, and it makes me proud of all of those with whom I work and share this mission of healing. It does make a difference in people’s lives, and it is good to hear that.

Tim Brosnan, vice president, planning and community relations
Palos Community Hospital, Palos Heights, Ill.

Dear Alden,

First let me tell you how sorry I am for your loss. I am sure hearing such terrible news about Ami was absolutely heart wrenching for you and your daughters. While I regret that I did not personally have an opportunity to help you during your time at Eastern Maine Medical Center, I know you were in the excellent, compassionate and very capable hands of the EMMC team of caregivers.

Thank you for your wonderful tribute to EMMC and for your generosity in establishing the Ami Braziel Memorial Fund, also in recognition of the staff. Both have been much appreciated by everyone here.

While we have not met, I wanted to let you know how your article touched me personally as well. Before assuming administrative roles, I was a critical care nurse. I truly loved everything about my nursing experiences during that time. Very often people would ask me, “How can you do that work [caring for critically injured and dying patients] day after day without it sapping every ounce of your energy?” My response never changed, that work was some of the most challenging and rewarding of my nursing career. Even when the clinical outcome for a patient was tragic, as a nurse, I had the ability to care for an entire family and help, hopefully in a meaningful way, during those extremely difficult times. Your tribute was a wonderful reminder for me of how important and sacred that work is and how I will continue to treasure my ICU nursing roots.
Again, my personal condolences to you and your family. Please let me know if there is anything more we can do for you.

Deborah Carey Johnson, R.N., president and CEO
Eastern Maine Medical Center, Bangor, Me.

Thanks for sharing your positive experience. We have no difficulty hearing when something goes wrong or doesn’t meet someone’s expectation but it is rare to hear the level of gratitude and appreciation that you expressed. More importantly, it tells us what we as providers need to do, not technically but socially, emotionally. Humanity and caring is, in the long run, more valuable to society.

Owen H. Lucas, M.D., MMM, medical director
Castleton Occupational Health Center, Indianapolis, Ind.

What an inspiring story by Alden Solovy. Thanks for sharing! I emailed our entire facility this story.

Mike DiPasquale, director of information technology
Spooner (Wis.) Health System

My sympathy goes out to Mr. Solovy and his family in this loss. This article drives home the point—care and compassion are ultimately what matters, especially in these situations and with all patients really. May we as health care workers never forget that.

Eldonna Neeley

I work in the cath lab at Eastern Maine Medical Center. This was a heartbreaking story that left me crying. Thank you for sharing that story with us. I am proud to work at EMMC because we do have a great team here. Recently my husband was admitted here and was very sick, and it did make a huge difference how the family feels with what kind of care your family is getting. It makes me realize how lucky I am to have a job and to be a part of EMMC team.

Brenda Vanchieri

Dear Alden,

I am very sorry to hear of your and your family’s loss and am exceedingly grateful for your willingness to share this story with us. Death and grief are never easy, particularly in times of unexpected crisis. I do believe that in these times, technology never really mitigates the loss we experience. Our memories of these times are almost always remembered in the way you have shared. It is presence, the kind words, the voiced prayers, of caring and compassionate people that make the lasting difference in the living.

I am grateful you had those kinds of people around you in this time. I add my prayers to the many already being lifted up in your behalf.

Larry J. Austin, D.Min, director of pastoral care
MediCorp, Mary Washington Hospital, Fredericksburg ,Va.

Alden,

I am very proud of your family for making the decision for organ donation. This is an amazing gift for one to give. Not long ago I had a dear friend receive a life-saving liver donation. There is not a day that goes by when they don’t think of their donor and the gratitude for making such a gift. That was an wonderful act of kindness.

Kyle M. Gaspar, vice president
VHA Upper Midwest—Chicago

I just wanted to drop a line and say how touched I was by Alden Solovy’s article on the care received by his family in such a trying time. It is too often that hospital staff members get blamed for being callous, when I have found that in most cases they are caring and compassionate. My prayers go out to the Solovy family and my thanks to the hospital staff.

Chic Marasa
The Law Offices of Francis J. Marasa Ltd., Chicago

What a heartwarming article to be reading. We are blessed here in our great state of Maine to have many facilities and people who emit great kindness, compassion and love for their work and for the people they treat through their work. We are proud to be part of the community that houses Eastern Maine Medical Center, and are able to say, firsthand, that, yes, the care given at EMMC is genuine, warm, kind and loving. Also, we are proud to be able to count our daughter and son-in-law as part of the employees of EMMC.

Russ & Sylvia Cyr, Millinocket, Me.

Alden,

Please accept my condolences for you and your family’s loss. Also, thanks for reminding everyone that we work in a sector that is about people first, and technology and everything else a distant second place. It took some courage to lay out your personal life as you did. Thanks.
Gregory S. Walton, CIO

El Camino Hospital, Mountain View, Calif.

How wonderful that you should write this article and articulate a compassionate care experience! So often when great compassionate care is provided I wonder how we can recognize those care providers and when and where can we say “great job.” You are practicing the mission and the values of health care system I want and know we can provide.

Many of us know how to report poor care. We have quality review boards, disciplinary action, law suit. But how do we say “outstanding”? How do we give a hug to those who commit themselves to the compassionate care? How do we reinforce that behavior?

A box of candy, employee of the month, free lunch, singular award celebrations or a “favorite” doctor of a region all seem inadequate and at best may address a single individual versus the individuals and the team effort, day in and day out.

Maybe we can share ideas. Maybe we can start a significant national trend. Maybe instead of scholarships or graduation awards for our students for academic achievement, we acknowledge the most compassionate graduate.
These ideas have been modeled in many organizations, but how can we expand upon them? How do we reinforce in every department head to instill a sense of compassionate care in their department?

Betty Noyes R.N., M.A., Noyes & Associates, Ltd.

There are so many wonderful people who work in health care. I am inspired daily by their compassion and effort. There is a crisis, but it certainly is not the quality of people we work with. Thanks for recognizing them.

Marc Probst

Dear Alden,

Please accept my deepest sympathies on your loss. What courage it took to write such a wonderful story of life and sudden death. How thoughtful to honor those who cared for her and for all of you with such tenderness and concern. Thank you for the reminder to all caregivers. We have amazing opportunities each and every day.

Mary Jo K. Campbell, patient advocate
Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend, Ind.

I work at a hospital myself, and I think it’s so nice to hear stories of the care that some give because of the love we have not just for patients but for each other. It’s not about the money—it’s about the care and love we extend to anyone who walks through our doors. It’s also important for us to know that we must treat our patients with the love and care that we would like to be treated. Thank you for column—it makes me still believe that I enjoy what I do and I enjoy the look on my patients face when I’ve done one thing to make them feel blessed that I cared enough to stop and listen to them and cater to whatever their needs were at the time of their visit here at the hospital.

Beverly Butler

What a beautiful and inspiring tribute to not only the hospital, but to Ami and her family. As a nurse, this story will help me remember the real reason I chose my profession. Thank you for sharing this poignant remembrance.

Barbara Bolton