Had the rather unfortunate experience last week to have a pretty extensive operation, spending two nights in ICU [at Northside Hospital-Forsyth] and six nights in a regular room. All staff was outstanding during some pretty tough days.

As I was departing, finally, one of the volunteers that transports patients from their rooms down to the main patient pickup area wheeled me down.

As we were rolling along in the wheelchair, he noticed how much I talked and joked with many of the ladies we passed who had assisted me over those eight days.

When we were alone in the elevator, he commented about all my comments with the staff and asked how I was treated by the staff, since my stay had been so extended. I told him great and all folks went out of their way to do all they could to help me.

These included trainees there only a few months to several folks there from 12 to 15 years.

He indicated to me he had been a volunteer for about three years, moving patients out upon release, and he nearly always asked folks about their stay and how the staff treated them.

I thought his final comment was the most telling when he said, “ I have been doing this volunteer job for three years, have helped many hundreds of patients get down to pickup after discharge, and have never had any negative feedback on the staff. I think that says a whole lot about our hospital and staff.”

I agree. Thank you.

Frank Frederick

Gainesville