Laura McGahan

Laura McGahan recently cared for an outpatient here for a lung biopsy.  He was 99 years old – THAT DAY! It was his birthday and he was having a lung biopsy.  He had no family and a friend had brought him to the hospital for the procedure.  Even though he was 99 years old, he was an alert and active gentleman.  Laura asked the patient what his dream birthday meal would be and he told her two hot dogs.

She arranged to get two hot dogs from the cafeteria and went to the Gift Shop and got balloons and a Mission baseball cap with other goodies and put them in a gift bag so he would have a gift to open on his birthday.  After he was cleared by the physician after his procedure, Laura, along with the other nursing staff, sang “Happy Birthday” to him and gave him his hot dogs, balloons, and gift.

This simple gesture brought so much happiness and the patient thoroughly enjoyed himself.  Even though I have no doubt about the excellent clinical care Laura gives, she is also a very giving and caring person.  This patient will never forget this birthday and the thoughtfulness and compassion she showed him.