Beebe: Where you're treated like family

Fred Episcopo is a native Delawarean; he was raised in old New Castle and has had a beach house in Sussex County since 1983. He moved here officially after retiring in 2007. Fred was an employee for Amtrak for many years and an Air Force veteran. Jim, Fred's partner, is originally from Delaware County, Pa., and officially moved here when he retired in 2001. Jim was also an employee for Amtrak for many years and a Navy veteran.

Jim was feeling lightheaded and weak, so Fred drove him to Beebe Healthcare's Medical Center in Lewes on a Saturday morning. After many tests in the emergency department, it was determined that Jim needed a bypass and later a pacemaker. One day, while in the hospital before the operation, Jim's heart stopped for 14 seconds!

Fred reflected, "It was a dramatic situation to receive a phone call to come to the hospital immediately." Fred called a good friend to meet him there, not knowing what to expect. Fred said, "Our experience with Beebe couldn't have been more pleasant. We were always treated with respect and excellent compassionate care. The emergency department was very efficient. We should know – we have made a few trips there recently. We seemed to get Dr. Eric Gallagher all the time. He is super busy but always took the time to go over every test with us."

Jim was feeling much better when he was discharged from the hospital. A few days later he began experiencing similar symptoms of lightheadedness and weakness, and returned to the ED. That's when the medical staff at Beebe discovered he had pulmonary embolism, and decided to keep him under their care while they ran more tests and tracked his health. During this time it was determined Jim would need surgery.

Before the operation, Jim spent almost a week on the fifth floor. That's where he met nurse Kristen Kemper. Jim said, "She never grew impatient with our endless questions. Kristen was so compassionate, so caring, and so attentive. She is a shining example of what a nurse should be."

Fred also mentioned, "Dr. Kuretu, thoracic surgeon, and his physician assistants, Brian McCarthy, PA-C, and Eugene Eugene, PA-C, were very competent, experienced, and always took the time to explain everything to us as to what to expect after the operation and therapy. Brian gave Jim more than one pep talk."

After the open heart surgery, Whitney Smith was Jim's nurse in the intensive care unit. "She too was caring, meticulous, efficient, and never tired of our questions, some of which we probably asked numerous times," said Jim.

When Fred and Jim made their donation to the Beebe Medical Foundation in honor of Kristen and Whitney, they wanted to make sure they didn't miss honoring any of their other nurses, especially the night shift nurses. Many times family members only see the day shift staff and don't interact with the hundreds of dedicated hospital doctors, night shift nurses, and Beebe team members who continue to provide excellent and compassionate care through the night.

Fred worked with the public most of his life and stated, "I know how tough it can be to keep your cool all the time. I was impressed with how Beebe team members were able to do that time and time again, especially the night shift nurses."

Jim said, "If I had to choose one thing that stands out about Beebe, it would be that they treated us as a family, just like any other family. We are fortunate to have a facility such as Beebe here in Sussex County with its very efficient and caring staff. It was important for us to make our donation to the Celebrate Excellent Care program in honor of Beebe Healthcare's tremendous staff because we know it will help ensure this wonderful hospital stays here locally."

Kristen and Whitney both said, "Last week, I was having one of the hardest weeks of my career as a nurse. The ICU was implementing new technologies, we had a large increase in patients to the hospital, and the overall stresses of working in healthcare were taking a toll. Then, I got this call from the Beebe Medical Foundation. You have been honored by Jim and Fred for providing excellent care. I was shocked, someone is honoring me? Wow! My whole perspective changed and my week went from bad to tremendous because of a simple thank you."

As a community-owned, not-for-profit healthcare system, Beebe continues to depend on the generous support of individuals, corporations, businesses, and private foundations. All gifts, large or small, to Beebe Healthcare, are tax deductible and are channeled through Beebe Medical Foundation. Please consider making a gift today and share your amazing stories with our community.

To make your proud personal donation or to learn more about Celebrate Excellent Care, go to www.beebemedicalfoundation.org or contact the Beebe Medical Foundation at 302-644-2900 or write to foundation@beebehealthcare.org.