March 2008

I was admitted to Holland Hospital in March 2008 and discharged a little over 24 hours later. I believe that when a job is well done, positive feedback is due.

My wife and I were very impressed by the prompt and in-depth attention given to us in Emergency: first by Admissions, then Dr. Holt and the attending nurse, Lisa, and later in the evening, the continued follow-up by Dr. Mathur. His calm demeanor and explanations were welcome indeed. After blood tests were taken, I was given an X-ray and later in the evening, a CT scan, after which I was admitted to the hospital’s ICU-TU Department.

There, over the course of the evening and into the next day, I was attended by nurses Amanda and Rayna. I can’t say enough about their consistent attention and professionalism. Later on Monday, I was given a stress echo test and had the opportunity to meet Dr. Frauenheim and his nurse, Deborah, and the same must be said of them. Their encouragement during the testing and positive manner went a long way to making a disconcerting event far less threatening.

In closing, I want to tell you how impressed my wife and I were by the overall experience. An admission into Emergency and an ensuing hospital stay is never anything to look forward to, but everyone involved certainly represented their professions and Holland Hospital to the highest degree, and for that I am thankful.

Sincerely,
Kirk F. Wright
Holland, Mich.

August 21, 2007

To all the staff on duty in the emergency room:

Thank you so much for taking such good care of my wife and easing the symptoms of her "viral gastroenteritis.”  She was really in a bad way when we arrived but within a very short time, Tiffany and Dr. Harris had made her comfortable and she began to recover from the dehydration and pain that she was experiencing. Both my wife and I have had numerous emergency room experiences with our parents over the years and the word that best describes most of them is frustrating. But your staff was very efficient, kind and expeditious in handling our problem. I hope we never have to avail ourselves of your services again, but rest assured that if we do we certainly won't dread it. Thank you all again!

Sincerely,
Richard & Diane Hall
Woodburn, Ind.

January 8, 2007

On January 7, my brother and his family were in an accident and were transported to your hospital. My family arrived shortly after their arrival. Every staff member we encountered from the moment we walked in the door was so very caring and friendly to all of us (there were quite a few of us and we ranged in age). 

The emergency staff was very accommodating and generous to allow us back to see our family members. Our children were relieved that they were able to see for themselves that their cousin was in good health. I know seeing the familiar faces of cousins comforted our very scared little niece that was involved in the accident. The staff was professional, courteous and caring.

When we visited the Cafe, the supervisor came to let us know if we needed anything she would help us. Later, we were waiting while one family member was in surgery, the nutritional services supervisor came in to see us, bringing a cart of all sorts of snacks and drinks as well as a much-needed meal tray for my brother. She came back a second time, this time with crayons, paper and coloring books for our children. It was so thoughtful. The kids went right to work. They were able to make cards for their cousin and aunt.

All of these small deeds and interactions throughout the day made a very terrible and scary time for our family much more comforting to know that our injured family members were in such professional and caring hands.

Thank you for all of your kindness,
Tena Elias
Orland Park, Ill.

January 7, 2007

My daughter spent the last 11 days of November 2006 as a patient in Holland Hospital. She entered through the ER and most of her stay was in the Intensive Care Unit.

I’ve spent nearly 30 years working in larger health care systems in Kalamazoo. I was not sure at first if I would be comfortable in what I imagined to be a “small” hospital, and initially thought we might need to quickly move her home. I was mistaken, and it didn’t take me long to have complete confidence in Holland Hospital.

The ER team saved her life, and the ICU group returned her to health with their excellent care. We especially appreciated the expertise of Dr. Kraker and Dr. Conlon, who diligently managed her case. The nursing, respiratory and ancillary teams were very skilled, very professional and very kind to all of us. The focus on both high quality and compassionate care were obvious, and believe me, I was looking very closely at everything!

Even the cafeteria food was exceptional. Over the course of our stay our family had many pleasant meals there. We even had our Thanksgiving dinner in the Café; it certainly was a memorable holiday! There’s one cafeteria clerk named Jamie who was especially thoughtful. She was counting the days with us. All the special caring touches of the people at Holland Hospital helped us cope.

In separate letters I’ve thanked the ICU and chaplain staff for their kindnesses, and wish I could find a way to applaud the whole place. Know that Holland Hospital has made a lasting impression, and has given a special blessing to our family with the life-giving care it gave to my daughter.

Kalamazoo, Mich

January 6, 2007

I am writing to praise and thank you for your assistance and service. I was amazed at the logistics that brought so many persons in such a tight and orderly sequence to process and diagnose the problem I came in with.

I came in with the basic symptom that I passed out in the middle of a presentation. This was complicated by very high blood pressure, since I had skipped my blood pressure medicine. I also had skipped my noon lunch before the presentation. But I was not rational enough in emergency to confess that.

So, all this absent information precipitated an extensive emergency search with CAT, MRI, ECHO, EEG and stress tests, and all the consultations from the doctors. They were looking for stroke possibilities and heart problems, along with any other possibilities.

I was given all these tests in 44 hours, cleared (negative in all) of tested causes, and discharged. I thank you for your logistical efficiency, your thoroughness and your general personal attention to many details along the way. I say again, I was impressed!

Thanks,
Darrell Franken, MDiv, MA, PhD
Holland, Mich.

January 2, 2007

We had the recent experience of visiting your emergency room on Christmas Day and again on December 26. My father, 92 years old, had fallen and we needed to validate that there were no broken bones. Our experience on both occasions was excellent. Staff were courteous, professional and the facilities clean and well maintained. The nurse, Cathy, on Christmas Day was excellent as well as the nurse the next day, although I did not catch her name.

What I really want to emphasize with this letter is how outstanding Dr. Mike Page was as my father’s emergency physician. He obviously is an outstanding clinician and professional. Not only did he exemplify all the common courtesies to all of us, but he took the time with my father to hear his story, to assure his understanding and his comfort with his recommendations. He was exemplary. I work with many physicians and have never witnessed such compassion and professionalism as I did with Dr. Page on both visits. You and Holland Hospital are indeed fortunate to have him.

As a fellow health care administrator I know we do not always hear the positives, so wanted to be sure you received my comments. I want to commend you and your staff for our excellent experience in your Emergency Department, and ask that you commend Dr. Mike Page for his efforts. He was outstanding. Thank you.

Des Moines, Iowa