Rachel Elko
December 2020
Rachel
Elko
,
BSN, RN
Thoracic Surgery IMC
University of Maryland Medical Center
Odenton
,
MD

 

 

 

Rachel was only assigned to me for one shift, but that didn't stop her from coming in to visit, say hi to my wife and me just to chat after her shift was over.
I write you to compliment the medical staff of the thoracic immediate care unit. Dr. F and his team performed a lobectomy and sleeve resection to remove a carcinoid tumor in my left lung. The procedure went exceptionally well and the in-hospital care during the next seven days was second to none.
One nurse, Rachel, stood out above all the others. Her patient care, attention to my physical and emotional needs, as well as those to my wife, was nothing short of admirable. In full disclosure, my wife and I are retired clinicians; so there may be a higher level of expectations to the care received. Rachel was exactly what I needed to start healing, both physically and emotionally.
During the course of care I received from Rachel, she confided in me, that this was her first day back on the job returning from a personal tragedy. The two of us coming together in this environment with mutual life-changing events was nothing short of serendipity. Despite our request, Rachel was only assigned to me for one shift, but that didn't stop her from coming in to visit, say hi to my wife and me just to chat after her shift was over. Once again proving that her caring and kindness surpasses a "patient assignment".