Share: 
Celebrate Excellent Care

Personal care makes the big difference at Beebe

February 23, 2017

By way of introduction, the Beebe Medical Foundation welcomes Deborah Fitzpatrick as a new member of the Celebrate Excellent Care team. Last year, Debbie and her husband Ed celebrated the care Ed received at Beebe.

Their commitment to Beebe drove them to seek more opportunities to share their time and talents with the foundation. This article is the first of many we hope to see from Debbie, our newest writer. Welcome, Debbie, it’s great to have you on our team! 

The new year did not start well for Rehoboth resident Barbara Teal. On Jan. 1, 2017, Barbara woke early with severe stomach pain and decided to drive herself to Beebe Healthcare to seek medical help. 

Barbara’s last visit to a hospital was 43 years earlier, in 1973, for her son Chris’ birth. Her apprehension about going to a hospital was quickly alleviated as she was evaluated in the emergency department. “I was impressed by how quickly things happened. The doctors were determined to find out what was going on,” Barbara said. 

Over the years, Barbara heard about people who went to a hospital in pain and were given painkillers and sent home. “This was definitely not the case for me at Beebe. Everyone was so pleasant and very competent, and you can’t ask for more than that from a hospital,” said Barbara. 

While in the emergency room, Barbara was treated by Dr. Nisarg Desai, who ordered various tests to determine what was causing her pain. “Everyone I came in contact with for two days in the hospital made my stay as comfortable as possible. And, I was consistently kept in the loop with what was going on,” she said. 

As a special thank-you, Barbara recognized her nurse, Marisa Spudis, with a generous donation to Beebe’s Celebrating Excellent Care program. “After my discharge I was referred to a large teaching hospital in a big city for a follow-up consultation. The care there was adequate, but it did not compare with the personal care and compassion I received at Beebe. Marisa saw me as a person. And I was particularly impressed when she personally accompanied me downstairs for my discharge,” Barbara stated. 

When they were reunited for the photo seen here, Marisa said, “I understand the people I am helping are sick and not feeling like themselves at all. I always do my best to provide the best care with the most compassion for my patients.”

Marisa was very appreciative that Barbara took the time to write the following email about her hospital care: “I could not have been more pleased with my recent experience. Everyone from maintenance to housekeeping to medical staff went above and beyond.

A special thanks to Marisa, a nurse on my floor, and all of the doctors who were competent, personable, knowledgeable, and communicative. While I was not happy to need your services, your staff made the experience as positive as it could possibly have been. Please let everyone know how appreciative I am.” 

Barbara also wanted to sincerely thank the doctors and staff at the Tunnell Cancer Center where she is currently receiving her follow-up care.

At the Tunnell Cancer Center, a multidisciplinary team of specialists meets weekly to discuss each newly diagnosed patient to consider treatment options and to establish the most appropriate treatment protocol.

A cancer care coordinator personally follows each patient. “While I did receive a serious diagnosis, I am gradually getting better and will always be a grateful patient of Beebe Healthcare and the Tunnell Cancer Center,” she said.

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.

Subscribe to the CapeGazette.com Daily Newsletter