To the editor:
Our names are Tammy Alcala, Carol Rinear, Leighann Rinear, Patricia Wilhelm and Leon Rinear. We are the children of Shirley Rinear, who is a patient in Ozarks Healthcare’s ICU since Dec. 16. While every family faces moments of crisis, emergencies during the holidays add an extra layer of stress. We want to take a moment to brag about the amazing staff in the emergency room and ICU.
First, the ER personnel did a fantastic job stabilizing our mother and were very respectful and caring. While we wish we had their names, the care she received in the ICU itself deserves utmost praise. She was not there long before being transferred to the ICU.
We cannot express sufficiently the exemplary care our mother received in the ICU. Drs. Datar, George, Ibrahim and Mahmood, along with their team of incredibly intelligent and insightful nurses, saved our mother's life twice.
We wanted to recognize the nursing staff through the Daisy Award, but felt a personal letter would speak volumes.
These are our personal "angels in disguise": BJ, days; Rae, nights; Laura, days; and Ryder, nights. These four registered nurses, through their experience and quick thinking, pulled our mother back from the brink during several near-death moments. BJ and Rae provided unwavering patience and kindness as our mother battled cardiac failure and respiratory distress. Laura's swift action in spotting early signs of diabetic ketoacidosis and Ryder's expertise in addressing an internal bleed were nothing short of life-saving.
We really should be faced with a funeral, but thanks to these doctors and nurses, our mother is here right now. These eight will always be our angels on earth.
We feel it is important to acknowledge all those who go above and beyond the call of duty, and that includes the ICU staff. Those ICU nurses who provided top-notch care quickly, effectively, kindly and respectfully were Olivia, days; Lindsey, nights; Nurse Manager Ashley days and nights; Megan, nights; Renee and Jaquita, days; Brandy J. and Phyllis, nights; Lorren, days; and Amanda B., Danielle, Cory, Nick, Nicholas and John, nights. We wouldn't be here without them.
Our mother was in respiratory distress and we’d like to send special thanks to one therapist in particular, Gail in the ICU. All were great, but Gail was the battle warrior. Thanks for going the extra miles to keep Shirley comfortable.
Those workers who collect blood — Harlie Newton, Logan Palmer, Katie Price and Carrie Howell — also deserve a shout out for being efficient and so respectful to Shirley.
Furthermore, we'd like to acknowledge the outstanding support staff who also went above and beyond. Elvie Hopkins and Lori Jewel from the kitchen, and Cheryl from housekeeping, offered much-needed comfort and support during our darkest hours. They didn’t have to even care, which makes these specific people that much more special.
Shirley Rinear’s family would like to thank Ozarks Healthcare CEO and President Tom Keller for staffing the hospital with such competent, wonderful, resourceful and hardworking workers. They made a very hard situation bearable and we can not shout out enough praises to these dedicated health professionals.
