On Sunday, my husband and I were traveling from visiting family in Rome, GA back to our home in FL when the life vest he was wearing was activated several times. The nearest hospital was West Georgia Medical Center in LaGrange, so I contacted their emergency department to let them know we were en route. When we arrived, an entire team was waiting for us.

Shana Drake was the first nurse we encountered, she took my husband immediately back where he was seen and treated by the entire ED team. He was stabilized in the ED, then Dr. Rajeev inserted a temporary pacemaker that remained there until Dr. Merchant inserted a permanent pacemaker/defibrillator.

In the ICU, Dr. Rajeev and Dr. Ngo checked in on my husband regularly and ensured he was getting proper care. Shana even visited us several times while we were in the ICU – even speaking to my husband’s daughter to explain everything that had happened in the ED and his current condition. She really went above and beyond. While in the ICU, my husband had exceptional nursing care – some of the nurses and care partners who cared for him were Brittany Cooley, Hollie Crumpton, Will Crowder, Logan Costley, Ashley Whatley, Caroline Scarborough, Madison Lester, Alicia Kirby, and Sam McCloud My husband and I found that Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center was an exceptional hospital and we were so fortunate to have found the wonderful doctors and nursing staff who quickly stabilized him and saved his life.

We will forever be thankful for the quality of care he received at the hospital, as well as all of the staff who went the extra mile to care for us and make our time there comfortable. It is our hope that all of these staff will receive a DAISY Award for their extraordinary care – J. Patrick Barnes would be very proud of them!