My father was admitted last night for pneumonia. He has been suffering from a myriad of health problems for some time now; however this is his this first time at BHMC. I would like to thank everyone who has helped him here so far as the care and attention he has received is truly impressive as compared to the other hospitals he has recently been a patient in. With that being said, I feel that Tamilyn Tonelli, deserves special recognition for her care of my father.

When I arrived early this morning, Tamilyn made sure to introduce herself to me and update me on my father's condition. She was attentive to all of our questions and concerns. While attending to my father she noticed that he was coughing while drinking water. She immediately asked him how long this had been going on and expressed her concern for what she believed could be aspiration pneumonia. Since that time she has consulted with his other physicians and a swallow study had been ordered. Over the past two months my father has told other doctors about these symptoms none of whom have expressed any concern. I asked Tamilyn, what could possibly be the cause of this and she explained that it could be caused by a variety of reasons and offered to print me some educational material on the subject. I told her she did not need to as I know she had other things to do and she simply replied "its ok, that what I am here for." She recommended and provided my father with a thickening agent for liquids until the swallow study could be completed. This has already alleviated the coughing and discomfort he was having by simply taking a sip of water.

Unfortunately my father is no stranger to hospitals over the past few months, but what he is a stranger to is the overall care Tamilyn Tonelli has provided him thus far. I understand the job of a hospital nurse is demanding and my father is not her only patient, however she has managed to do for my family and me what no one else has in recent months, put us at ease that my father is truly in good hands.