A patient writes…I was brought to the ED on Sunday after having trouble breathing. The entire room was packed with patients in distress, yet I was tended to promptly and put on the list for admission. Given a room in the trauma center to be monitored while waiting for a room to become available. I saw a lot. There were many cases that holiday weekend, and the staff assembled by Sentara is incredibly well trained and efficient- I saw what they must contend with and some of the situations that arose…separate from my own case…all handled with sure-handed expertise and kindness. It is an amazing thing to watch.

Brandy came to me while I was lying in a dress soaked in urine, vomit, and despair. I was confused and scared about what was happening to me. She took matters in hand, got me cleaned up and in a gown with fresh underwear, talked to me , reassured me and made me feel human again.

She got me off the gurney I’d been on for hours and into a hospital bed while I waited for a room to be available. She managed to make me believe that I was the most important patient in her care, even though I could see how busy they all were with the holiday weekend. With care and concern that I never felt was perfunctory or automatic. It was genuine kindness and compassion and empathy. I felt connected and in the best of hands. Brandy is extraordinary and I’ll always remember and be grateful to her as will my family.

As it happens, I found this to be the absolute standard of care at Sentara. Every one of the staff members I have met had a role in my recovery. The care teams are phenomenal- so many wonderful people who work with good humor and shared knowledge to put me back on the right path to good health, thank you so much.