Letter: Hospital's care was a true gift

Editor's Note: Kathy Acosta wrote this public letter to Ochsner St. Mary CEO Fernis LeBlanc.
Dear Mr. LeBlanc,
Several times over the past few months, my family has had occasion to visit your facility. A few months back, my granddaughter was very ill. I was going to write a letter then, but life got in the way. RN Courtney Reynaud Daigle, among many others, cared for her and stayed with my daughter, her mother, for a very long time, calming their fears, tending to their every need, attempting to make my granddaughter smile. I work with Courtney’s mother, and attempted to give Courtney a little gift to take her husband out to eat, in appreciation for her wonderful care. She returned it to me. She said that “it was her job and her pleasure to care for them”. Needless to say, I was humbled by her kindness.
Friday, June 11th, I received an early morning call from my 87-year-old mother-in-law. She was in distress and needed to visit your hospital. This time, it was I who was nervous and afraid. From the time I drove onto the property I felt reassured and safe. A security guard met us, a kind lady, Judy Landry, checked us in, very quickly, a sweet lady came and got us and took us to an ER room. Another kind lady came in and took our information. Because I was so flustered, I didn’t get the names of everyone, but the care was the same. All wonderful. An X-ray tech took us to the back for films to be taken to determine the cause of my mother’s pain. A warm blanket was given to us because she was cold. Callie M. Baskett, NP, came in and ministered to my mother-in-law with such care and concern. You could tell that this is not just a job. This woman showed compassion next to none. Her hands were kind and loving. It was obvious that she has a higher calling than just going through the motions. Lastly, Mary Orlando Loupe, ER Staff Nurse, gave her medicine and wheeled us out to the car, all the while being so kind and so professional, yet, human. These employees were just doing their job. I know that. But to two frightened women, it meant so much to us. I want for the community to know just how fortunate we are to have this hospital in our little town. I am sending a copy of this letter to our local newspaper. While we were there, multiple people came in, by ambulance, helicopter, and automobile. The voices I heard seeping in from the other rooms were all the same. Kind, caring, healing.
I regret not getting everyone’s name, so as to recognize them for every little thing that they did. But I would guess they really don’t do it for accolades, Theirs is a gift from God, and the only thanks THEY want, is for the patient to be better. Through this letter, I would like to personally thank each and every one of them, who helped us in our time of need.
Respectfully,
Kathy Acosta