Some wear scrubs…

I see it every day. I work in donor relations at Community Medical Foundation, so I am in the hospital visiting and helping to navigate patients quite a bit. But I wanted to share something really special that happened last week.
 

Heart patient Cole Egoian with his ED nurse Matt Pedroza at Community Regional Medical Center.

I had the privilege of getting to know the Egoian family when 22-year old Cole came in the Emergency Department (ED) at Community Regional from Adventist Medical Center in Reedley, CA.

You may have seen his story on the news, but I am here to tell you what you didn’t see – a “behind the scenes” look at what (and who) got Cole through one of the scariest times in his life.

Cole was in critical condition when he came to Community Regional and was diagnosed with “Marfan Syndrome” – a genetic disorder that affects the body’s connective tissue. So when Cole found out he needed surgery, his ED nurse, Matt Pedroza told him that there was going to be a lot coming at him, but everything would be ok.  It was so reassuring to Cole and his family.

 

Matt knew Cole was a fighter when he was more worried about getting out of the hospital in three days to take his college finals.

It’s not very often that the emergency staff get to know what happens after a patient is admitted and leaves the ED. So when they see a patient come back healthy and strong, it is really a treat for both the staff and the patient. 

Matt told me in the 12 years he has been a nurse, no one has ever asked to see him again to thank him.  But that’s not why he or other nurses do what they do. He said, “It has to come from within and at the end of the day, you look back and ask yourself, ‘Did I give that 12 hours everything? Did I give 100 percent during the shift?’"

Nursing staff makes a difference because they are usually the ones that spend the most time with the patient. It takes a special type of person to take care, love and treat your patients.  In Matt’s words, “All you have is love and life. That’s what it’s about.”

Cole’s parents said from the time they entered the ED in Reedley until he was discharged from Community Regional, they couldn’t have asked for a better experience. They felt as if they were part of a family.  Cole’s dad, Jimmy, said “Everyone did it RIGHT!”

Today, Cole is back home and is expected to keep living life like a normal 22-year old.

No one wants to make that trip to the ED, but if you have to, we are very fortunate to have such an exceptional facility right here and even more, each patient receives such compassionate treatment from the staff. 

Thank you for doing a GREAT JOB Emergency Staff -- you are very much appreciated!!!

Cathy Hendrickson
Donor Relations
Foundation