My father was recently hospitalized and I had the chance to spend a good deal of time at Bergan Mercy Hospital in my effort to provide care and assistance to him as he recovered from surgery to remove a malignant tumor in his right lung. I would offer that I have had multiple opportunities to compare healthcare quality as my husband has a heart condition that has on several occasions required both cardiac and intensive care. As a result, I have spent time in a variety of hospitals in Arizona and California. I can tell you that Bergan Mercy clearly stands apart from the rest in terms of the level of care and professionalism.
The level of nursing care my father received at Bergan hospital was outstanding. Amanda, Ali and Diane were three nurses who provided an excellent level of care. Each of the nurses that were charged with caring for my father worked tirelessly and capably in performing their duties. Though they were clearly very busy each day, they monitored my father’s care and readily addressed his many needs. One additional nurse, Mary R., stands apart for another reason. She is an individual that defines the word, “special”. Mary R. possesses an innate sense of compassion, administering care for both body and soul, so to speak. I can tell you that my father was so impressed by Mary R. that he wanted to have his picture taken with her so as to have a lasting memory to take with him.
Intrigued by our experience, I returned home to Phoenix and located your website. I read with great interest, the mission statement that calls you “to provide high quality care for the body, mind and spirit of every person”. Mary R. beautifully demonstrated that kind of care giving. Her ability to tend to my father’s physical needs and sense his psychological needs, epitomizes the care your organization speaks of when they cite a commitment to create a caring and compassionate environment and respect for the dignity of every person.
Please express my sincere thanks to each of the nurses that handled my father’s care. I am convinced his remarkable recovery is due in part to the excellent level of care and concern your staff extends to their patients.
A great health care experience involves so much more than just cutting-edge techniques and the latest medicine - it's an overall attitude. Lakeside Hospital's Radiology staff lives that attitude and treats patients as they would want to be treated.
During a routine CT scan, doctors discovered that my mother had a thyroid nodule. Since the nodule is quite large, she requires periodic ultrasounds and needle biopsies to ensure that the nodule has not grown and no cancer cells are present. Although ultrasounds and biopsies are not a big deal for most people, my mother suffers from positional vertigo and the condition prohibits her from being flat on the table during the procedure. Whenever she needs a biopsy, she worries herself sick that she'll inconvenience the staff due to her vertigo.
In August, I accompanied my mother to Lakeside Hospital for her needle biopsy. I went back to the room with her and spoke with both a male and female nurse about her situation. They were extremely understanding and did what they could to make her comfortable during the procedure. I then left the room and went back to the waiting area.
About 30 minutes later, my mother walked out to the lobby with assistance from a darling young nurse who was smiling and telling her how great she had done during the procedure. The nurse even commented to me that we could now go and get the pedicure that I had promised my mother after a successful biopsy.
While walking to the car, my mother told me that one nurse held her steady while the other held her hand while on the table. She was so thrilled with the experience that she will only go to Lakeside for any future procedures.
I've often wanted to thank the staff personally for the caring and compassion shown to my 81-year-old mother - and this is my chance...
Thank you Alegent Health for providing so much more than medical care. You provided a caring touch that won't soon be forgotten. If other medical needs arise, my mother and I will know exactly where to go to receive the best care in the area.
In 2006, Barb Grimes of Council Bluffs was diagnosed with breast cancer. After a lumpectomy to remove the tumor and a lengthy series of radiation therapy, life for Barb returned to normal. Until this past February when doctors found a large mass in Barb’s stomach – that mass tested to be ovarian cancer. Determined to win the battle against cancer yet again, Barb was aggressive in her treatment. She had a total hysterectomy and underwent six rounds of Chemotherapy.
Overwhelmed and afraid with her diagnosis, Barb had remembered seeing a commercial about a nurse navigator program offered to cancer patients at Alegent Health. In order to access the nurse navigator service - the only service like it available in the area - Barb decided to transfer her care from another local health system to Alegent Health.
Kristin, Barb’s nurse navigator, helped ease Barb’s fears about her illness, coordinated and attended all physician visits and explained things in terms that Barb could understand. Now, a trusted friend, Barb looks forward to seeing Kristin again at her three month check-up in October. It was traumatic for Barb when her hair started to fall out. Kristin referred Barb to Beki, the Clinical Cosmetologist at the Image Recovery Center. Beki shaved Barb’s head and helped Barb find the perfect wig, as well as lots of fun new hats. It was important to Barb that she did not look sick; the wigs and the hats have helped her to do just that.
I feel lucky being healthy for the 31 years of my life! I am Sheri from Council Bluffs where I live with my husband, Trent. I like to live my life carefree, but soon realized that a carefree lifestyle can change in one doctor appointment.
I had felt a lump in my breast in October 2008 during a self breast exam. I ignored it and did nothing out of fear- until my annual appointment 4 months later. The lump had grown rapidly and it was significant in size. My OB/GYN scheduled me for an ultrasound the next day.
I was informed of the next steps of biopsy and surgery. My mind started to go into overload- I did not know what it all meant or if I was going to be okay. I needed someone to put all the pieces together for me. I had heard about the Breast Health Center at Lakeside, so I picked up the phone and just called. I was emotionally a mess when I was connected with Patti, a Nurse Practitioner. She was so kind and scheduled me to see Dr.John Shook, the Breast Surgeon. Patti said they would take care of me. I truly felt I was in good hands and I took a big sigh of relief.
After the biopsy, I was anxious to hear the diagnosis. The next day I got a call from Dr. Shook explaining that it was benign, but the lump would need to be removed. He was so thorough and made sure I understood the next steps. Since it was benign, I thought that there was no hurry to have the surgery. However, my husband and the Breast Health Center staff were persistent and made sure the surgery was done without delay.
Surgery day arrived and I was ready for it to be over. My nurse Sue was quick to notice my uneasiness and she talked to me until my fears subsided. Throughout the whole procedure, they kept in touch with my comfort and shared information about my care. Dr. Shook and the medical professionals worked well together and kept me in the loop, so that I too felt I was a part of the team.
More than a 4cm benign phyllodes tumor was removed from my right breast. This type of tumor is very rare. If I would not have taken action, and gotten the support of the Breast Health Center - I could be fighting a bigger battle with breast cancer.
Health is not something I will gamble with again. I was dealt a lucky hand of good health and I will let it ride!
Joyce had never really performed breast self-exams, even though she knew she should. One day she noticed a lump on her breast. After a visit with her doctor, she was scheduled for a mammogram and biopsy. Less than 48 hours later, her doctor called. Joyce was at the grocery store at the time, and requested to receive the results right away. The doctor told her that she had cancer and she later learned it was Stage 3 breast cancer.
Joyce felt very strongly about her responsibility to be informed about her treatment options, and did a lot of her own research. Joyce had read about TomoTherapy in her research. Joyce’s hairdresser gave her a business card from one of his other clients, Dr. Keit, a radiation oncologist at Alegent Health. When Joyce and Dr. Keit finally met, Dr. Keit confirmed that TomoTherapy was a great option for treating Joyce’s case.
When Joyce started chemotherapy, her husband helped her shave her head. She went to the Image Recovery Center to find wigs that made her feel more like herself.
Today, Joyce serves on the Patient Advisory Board at Alegent Health as a way to help continually look at cancer treatment and how to make it better for the patient. She also encourages others to take the time for preventive care.
Joyce now focuses on slowing down to enjoy her life, and has taken up boot camp workouts and jogging. She credits her husband, son, friends, family and her church for support throughout her recovery.
I feel lucky being healthy for the 31 years of my life! I am Sheri from Council Bluffs where I live with my husband, Trent. I like to live my life carefree, but soon realized that a carefree lifestyle can change in one doctor appointment. 
