by: Ann Stark

I was an ER patient overnight and had to have several tests the next day. While in the Radiology bay, Erin was the PCA who played her violin there. It was delightful! She played a variety of music, being sensitive to the wishes of the patients there. For the first time since entering Bronson 19 hours ago, I felt like I was no longer in a hospital, but rather in a pleasant “far away” place while she played. She always took care of the patients’ needs first, but then took a minute or two to play her violin and allow us some respite from our worries and anxieties.
Kudos to Erin for her creative way of providing patient care, and to Bronson for allowing this creative young woman to provide her special type of caring.

Mary Ann Stark, PhD, RN

by: Patricia Kendall

My story is about a wounderful unit clerk in the ED. I had to take my then 3 year old daughter Emma to the ED in the middle of the night in the middle of a snow storm for a high fever. After finding out that she had a ear infection, and I put all of her snow stuff back on and we made it to the car. As we were almost home, Emma started to cry “Mommy I lost my lovie”, well anyone with small kids knows that means they have just lost their best friend. In this case, it’s my daughters blanket she calls her “lovie” that she can not sleep without. I turned the car around and was back in the waiting room for the ED trying to ask if I could please go back into the room that we had just come from. The unit clerk Angel, when back into the room and came back into the waiting room to let me know that she say no baby blanket and all of the laundry from that room was in the basement of the hospital. Emma was not only heart broken, I could not get her to stop crying. Just then, Angel looked at me and said, “I have a small son too, that can’t sleep without his stuffed bear.” She said just give me few miuntes to see what I can do. She went down into the laundry room and went throught 30 bags of dirty laundry and found my daughters “lovie”. Emma in almost 7, and I tell everyone that great story of how angel saved “lovie”. That is my Bronson Positivity Story.

by: Karin Zaleski

My 84 year-old father had a minor procedure on his big toe in late February, 2011. A week later, it became infected and we took him back to the doctor. He was put on a strong antibiotic and a visiting nurse waa ordered to change the dressing. Long story short, Dad had a bad reaction to the antibiotic in the form of severe diarrhea, nausea and some vomiting. This went on for days while we tried to treat him at home. Finally we took him back to the doctor and that’s when he told us it was likely from the antibiotic and not a flu bug. After suffering through a few more days of it, we took Dad to the Emergency Room. He was found to be severely dehydrated, so much so that it affected his kidneys. He was admitted to the hospital.

The following day was Dad’s first visit to Bronson’s Burn and Wound Clinic, for treatment of his still ailing toe. He visited the Clinic every one of the three days he was hospitalized. At has follow up appointment with his primary physician we decided it best if Dad continue to visit the Wound Clinic and an appointment was made for the following day. This was the first time my mother and myself encountered the Clinic and its staff.

Three people helped Dad while we were there — Dr. Dircks, the P.A. Vicki and nurse Wendy. I can’t say enough good things about them! They were extremely courteous, patient, and caring toward Dad. They were very thorough and detailed in explaining everything about Dad’s condition, which was made worse by his underlying heart and circulatory problems. In fact, we now understand more about Dad’s issues than ever. All of his Bronson doctors are good, but none had taken the time or care to explain things like Vicki and Dr. Dircks did. As a result, we even asked them to refer us to a new cardiac doctor at Bronson, which they did.

Another long story short, our encounter with Dr. Dircks, Vicki and Wendy at the Wound Clinic was the most pleasant, informed and friendly doctor’s appointment we’ve ever had. Dad, Mom and I left knowing Dad was in excellent and expert hands, and very hopeful that Dad’s troubles are going to get better. I can’t thank them enough for their kindness .