The patient was a 24-year-old truck driver from Tennessee. He parked his truck outside of MGH and walked into our Emergency Department. He had gotten a really bad flu and just wasn't feeling himself. From our ED he was admitted to RDTU and a short time later had a heart cath and was found to have severe cardiomyopathy. His family was unable to make the trip from Memphis to Marion to be with him. In all of the chaos, his wallet, clothes, and keys to his truck were lost (all of which were recovered before he left our care).

Emily Asher, his nurse following the cath, immediately sensed his despair and loneliness - he was without clothes or money, and the trucking company had picked up the truck so he was without transportation. Emily shared his story with JoEllen King, Social Worker and within a few hours they had offers from associates throughout the hospital to assist with his needs! It was this group of people who made sure that he was able to return to his family in Memphis - raising enough money to buy him a plane ticket home. He had a duffle bag instead of a plastic hospital bag, thanks to our Human Resources team, and a cab to get him to the Columbus airport!

On returning home, the patient called Emily to thank her for the provisions and care he received at Marion General, but more importantly he wanted to say thank you for the compassion shown to him. This young man's father also talked with Emily, moved to tears by her generosity shown to his son - a complete stranger to her.