Issue link: https://blog.providence.org/i/1518200
2 | Health Matters: Providence St. Mary Medical Center I nspiration is a blessing, and I am blessed to be surrounded by inspiring stories of compassionate care at Providence St. Mary Medical Center every day. Among my favorites are those in which our caregivers ease the way of our patients by bringing them peace of mind. Hospital visits, especially those that are sudden, can be stressful experiences filled with questions, uncertainty and even fear for patients. For 39-year-old Phelan resident Grace Kamffer, who arrived at our hospital after 24 unsuccessful hours of labor at a birthing center, the fear was that she would receive subpar treatment because she'd been transferred by a midwife rather than a physician. Our caregivers alleviated Grace's fears by listening to her, reassuring her and taking her needs and desires into consideration while caring for her. But Grace's journey didn't end there. In fact, the birth of her daughter, Elsie, was merely the beginning of four weeks of further uncertainty for her and her husband, William, after Elsie was admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit. There, the Kamffers were treated as we aim to treat everyone: like family. This issue of Health Matters reaches you mere months after U.S. News & World Report rated Providence St. Mary Medical Center a "High Performing" hospital for maternity care for the second straight year. I'm thankful to Grace and her family for sharing their birthing experience, because it showcases the exceptional care provided by highly skilled individuals who work together tirelessly to care for the whole person and the whole family. Everyone at Providence St. Mary is humbled by our colleagues in Maternity. Their dedication to extending compassion, justice and dignity to our patients while delivering award-winning care inspires us all to continue to hold ourselves to the same high standard for the betterment of the entire High Desert community. Elsewhere in this issue, you'll find an informative story about the specialized care patients receive at Providence St. Mary 's Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine. We also offer tips on how to eat healthier by spring-cleaning your kitchen pantry and examine what aging well looks like. I hope you find this issue of Health Matters as helpful and inspiring as I have. Thank you for taking time to learn more about the hope, healing and shared humanity that are nurtured through high-quality care each and every day at Providence St. Mary. It is an honor to serve you. Respectfully, Chief Executive Providence St. Mary Medical Center To Our Beloved Community