Carolyn Stecher
January 2026
Carolyn
Stecher
,
Registered Nurse
Case Management
Henry Ford Madison Heights
Madison Heights
,
MI
United States
With Carolyn’s persistence, they were able to locate the veteran’s application and move forward with the much-needed help.
Madison Heights Hospital recently had a veteran hospitalized for carbon monoxide poisoning. The veteran was aware that his furnace had a carbon monoxide leak for a few months. He lowered the temperature in his home despite the frigid weather outside to try to slow the leak. This veteran had no family and no support from the community. He made several attempts to have the furnace replaced and applied for financial assistance through various programs, including with the Veterans Administration, but was unsuccessful in having the furnace replaced. He was unable to afford the quote given to replace the furnace, and he had no alternative place to stay in the meantime. This veteran was eventually hospitalized for carbon monoxide poisoning.
At the hospital, his assigned RN, CM, Carolyn Stecher, determined not to let this veteran fall through the cracks, advocated for him by making countless phone calls seeking assistance. Many of these calls were to the Veterans Administration. Initially, it seemed they had no record of the veteran filing an application, but with Carolyn’s persistence, they were able to locate the veteran’s application and move forward with the much-needed help. The veteran was approved for a $4000 grant toward the furnace replacement. The Veterans Administration then contacted KOZ Heating and Cooling/Heat 4 Heroes.
The owner came to the hospital to meet with the veteran. He and his crew went to the veteran’s home and began the process of airing out the home of carbon monoxide, and using portable heaters was able to warm the home for the veterans to discharge home. They even shoveled his driveway and sidewalks. Heat 4 Heroes gave the clearance for the veteran to return home the next day and estimated that the furnace would be replaced in 3-5 days. The Heat 4 Heroes Board also approved the remaining cost of the furnace replacement to be covered by their program. Along with the approved grant funds, the veteran's costs would be covered at 100%. I commend Carolyn’s efforts, going above and beyond for not only this veteran but how she advocates for all her patients each day.
At the hospital, his assigned RN, CM, Carolyn Stecher, determined not to let this veteran fall through the cracks, advocated for him by making countless phone calls seeking assistance. Many of these calls were to the Veterans Administration. Initially, it seemed they had no record of the veteran filing an application, but with Carolyn’s persistence, they were able to locate the veteran’s application and move forward with the much-needed help. The veteran was approved for a $4000 grant toward the furnace replacement. The Veterans Administration then contacted KOZ Heating and Cooling/Heat 4 Heroes.
The owner came to the hospital to meet with the veteran. He and his crew went to the veteran’s home and began the process of airing out the home of carbon monoxide, and using portable heaters was able to warm the home for the veterans to discharge home. They even shoveled his driveway and sidewalks. Heat 4 Heroes gave the clearance for the veteran to return home the next day and estimated that the furnace would be replaced in 3-5 days. The Heat 4 Heroes Board also approved the remaining cost of the furnace replacement to be covered by their program. Along with the approved grant funds, the veteran's costs would be covered at 100%. I commend Carolyn’s efforts, going above and beyond for not only this veteran but how she advocates for all her patients each day.