Courtney Ratajczak
December 2013
Courtney
Ratajczak
,
RN
Float Pool
UPMC Hamot
Erie
,
PA
United States

 

 

 

First of all I would like to commend your entire staff. We have been your guest for almost 2 weeks. The mother of my 6 kids was diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumor. As you might guess this turned our world upside down. During our care it became clear that nurse Courtney Ratajczak was more than just a caregiver, she became our Angel! Her care was exceptional, her compassion was off the charts! We know we do not have much time left but her kindness helped us come in the most difficult of times. I must share one specific story about how much Courtney cared:

On the night my wife was starting chemo it was clear that we were in trouble and with 6 kids I was not sure how I was going to get them through these next few months. I had many questions and honestly I was experiencing pure fear! When Courtney realized I was in such distress she invited me to sit with her at the 8 south nurses' station. For the next 45 minutes she listened, she offered advice, and above all she made me feel like my family was the most important family in her care. After about 45 minutes I realized I was keeping her from her other patients, so I ended our chat so she could go back to work. It was only 20 minutes later that Courtney was on her way home. Her shift ended long before she sat down with me to help me deal with this unreal situation as they moved us to a different floor I asked where her mailbox was so I could leave her a thank you note. I was told she had no mailbox, she was a floater.

Please even if you don't honor her, would you please tell her thank you from me! She was an angel I will never forget! With health care professionals like Courtney Rataczak families in need can smile knowing someone really does care!

Thank you Courtney!