Gina: Facing Surgery

Like any patient facing major surgery, Gina experienced anxiety and apprehension about what was to come. However, as she wrote in a letter following her hospital stay, the physicians and nurses at Miami Valley Hospital calmed her fears and exceeded her expectations.

As she was being prepped for surgery, Gina was impressed by MVH nurses. “They explained everything they would be doing and they were very comforting,” she wrote. “The anesthesiologist spoke to us and he was also very calming and reassuring. When my doctor came in, both my husband and I felt relaxed and completely informed about my surgery.”

Following her surgery Gina was cared for on Maternity 2. “From the moment I arrived, the nurses and Patient Care Technicians were amazingly gentle and thorough with me. Even the smallest details were taken care of immediately. I don’t think we would have been treated any better if I had owned the hospital.”

She concluded by saying, “I cannot express in words how your nurses made my experience at MVH as pleasant as possible. It is apparent that they truly care about their patients. You should be extremely proud of the caring, compassionate, and professional staff at your hospital.”

While Gina’s experience speaks to the quality of care provided by MVH staff, behind the scenes donor-funded programs are making positive experiences possible for MVH patients. Some of these programs are available today because of contributions to the Foundation’s 1890 Society and the Annual Fund.

The Surgical Quality Enhancement Project examines ways to improve surgical outcomes for patients like Gina. (This project was one of several initiatives funded in 2006 from donor contributions.)

As a non-profit, community hospital, MVH serves the needs of patients, regardless of their ability to pay. This results in millions of dollars of uncompensated charity care. As payments from government and private insurers continue to diminish, private support is more important than ever in helping the Foundation enhance and expand the ‘Margin of Excellence’ for MVH patients.