I just wanted to take a moment to share information about my Dad’s experience in your ER. B is 82, has CHF, COPD, HTN, IDDM, and is overweight. As we both know, just a couple of those, not to mention all of them, make the likelihood of surviving COVID very challenging. After 2 weeks of successfully managing him at home, I no longer could. Fully understanding the ramifications of him having to go inpatient for respiratory management at 2 weeks after becoming symptomatic, I watched him ride away in an ambulance toward your ER grieving the thought that it would be the last time I saw him alive.

While that loss would be felt deeply under any circumstance, my grief came from a fear that, like so many over the past 10 months, my Dad would die alone instead of surrounded by the love and support of his family. I cannot possibly express the gratitude I have for the entire team working that day. However, I wanted to specifically recognize Whitney Southall and J. These two ladies were a true Godsend. The compassion and care they showed not only for my Dad, yet also us through frequent communication, will never be forgotten.

Whitney and J made a difference in my Dad’s drive to continue to fight through their loving care and his ability to safely make it to the floor and improve daily through their skilled care. I will continue to pray for you, your team, and the rest of our Methodist Family impacted so deeply by this virus on a daily basis. In a time where I know you and your team are doing all you can possibly do and still have to suffer defeat way too often, I want to say Thank You. Thank you for your service, compassion, and resilience even though you are weary. Your leadership and your team are making a difference!