Gratitude is good for your health

Twice a year the Beebe Medical Foundation hosts a very special reception at their office, Richard Beebe’s original home on Savannah Road. Honored guests are members of our community, celebrating Beebe team members who have provided excellent care.

The fall reception was held Sept. 21, and the foundation house was overflowing with gratitude throughout the evening. More than 25 friends reconnected and shared stories of appreciation for and with each other. Healthcare coworkers from different departments and treatment areas shared a common sense of pride and mutual admiration. New friendships were built through storytelling and the amazing experiences of everyone in attendance.

“How fortunate am I to be able to go to Beebe’s Wound Care Services,” said Jean Winstead. “Thank goodness for Bonnie Cunningham, the director, and my friend and great wound care nurse, Tanya Crawford, for helping me through a long process. I’m healed, I’m happy, I’m healthy and thank goodness for Beebe!”

Cunningham chimed right in, “We were totally ecstatic when Jean blessed us with this award. We provide care for patients every single day, and we do the very best we can, with excellent outcomes. It means so much to have someone step up to the plate and say thank you like Jean did. It makes us feel very proud and happy to be Beebe team members, so we thank Jean for recognizing us.”

Tanya Crawford spoke from her heart, “Jean is not only our patient, she is one of our dear friends, and it was so much more rewarding for me, knowing I could care for her, and heal her wound and provide motivation to her at the same time. We enjoy taking care of our patients, and it is so rewarding once they heal.”

“We’re here honoring two of the nurses who took care of Jim while he was in the hospital,” said Fred Episcopo. “One nurse works in Intensive Care and her name is Whitney; and the other nurse works on the fifth floor, pre-surgery and her name is Kristen. It was important to us to honor both of these young ladies for the excellent care they gave Jim. It was not only these two nurses, it was the whole staff, but it was impossible to mention everyone. Jim’s on his road to recovery right now, walking two miles every day, doing his cardiac rehab.”

Steve Paolucci also told his story. He said, “I got great care at Beebe. I had an issue one evening and I was taken to the hospital. Reluctantly, I might add. Yes, I didn’t want to go. I didn’t think there was anything that terribly wrong with me. It turned out that I had had a heart attack and I was continuing to have a heart attack. I received exceptional care in the Emergency Department where they identified my problem. The nurses in the Emergency Department were just spectacular. As I got into the hospital, the concern and care that everyone gave me was just beyond belief. The next day I had some tests and then a set of operations took place. As things continued after my surgery, the care I received from my team of nurses was better than I could have ever hoped for. Ellen and I felt it was so important to recognize each one individually. What they did for us was just beyond words.”

Ellen Paolucci said, “Every staff member at Beebe treated us like we were their mom and dad; I really felt that. We can’t thank Beebe enough; every single person we encountered at Beebe was spectacular. We made a donation in Steve’s name to the cardiac team, to celebrate the phenomenal job they did for Steve and I’m sure for every patient they encounter. One of the reasons we chose to live in Lewes was because of Beebe, and in hindsight, boy, what a great decision! Donate to your local hospital, it needs you; it will always be here for you, and you can help Beebe grow and continue to take care of our community. Thanks, Beebe!”

It was an amazing night, indeed.

As a community-owned, nonprofit 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. 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 foundation@beebehealthcare.org.