By Sara McCloskey

A hug from a patient. A supportive moment with a caregiver after their loved one’s difficult diagnosis. A playful visit from a service dog.

These are just some of the little moments to be thankful for when you spend time at one of the many VCU Health locations across Virginia.

As we enter the season of giving thanks, we asked VCU Health team members, patients, and community members what they are thankful for this year. Here are some of their stories.

'He saved our son’s life’

Stephanie Long’s son was transferred to Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU (CHoR) when he was getting sicker and sicker. He was diagnosed with Shiga toxin-producing E. Coli, a bacterial infection that can make people sick with diarrhea, stomach cramps, sepsis, kidney failure, and other illnesses. It is typically caused by eating undercooked or contaminated food and/or water.

“We are thankful for Dr. Timothy Bunchman. We truly believe he saved our son's life,” Long said. “We can't thank him enough for the wonderful care he provided to my son during the scariest time of his life.”

April Wright (left), a VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital team member, is grateful for the care her mother (right) received during her stay at VCU Medical Center’s Comprehensive Stroke Center. (Sara McCloskey, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

A helicopter ride they will never forget

April Wright, the OR/PACU Clerical Supervisor in Perioperative Services at VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital, has seen a lot of family members and friends come in and out of the hospital over the past 31 years. Recently, her mom had a stroke and was flown from CMH to VCU Medical Center for treatment.

“All of the staff: doctors, nurses, residents, discharge planners, speech, OT, PT, even the environmental services worker spoke to her and us, and asked us if we needed anything,” April explained. “Everyone was extremely caring and compassionate to her and our needs; they answered all of our questions and concerns and kept us in the know of what the plan was for her each and every day.”

VCU Medical Center has a Comprehensive Stroke Center that went into action to support April and her family. April is especially grateful for Brendan Parr, D.O., a resident in the neurology program, Christine G. in the ER, and the neurology care team on the 11th floor of the hospital.

“Mama was only there for a short time, but this stroke could have been a lot worse than it was,” April said. “This Thanksgiving I am thankful for the EMS crew, helicopter crew, and the knowledgeable team members at VCU Medical Center who made this experience a good one and that my mom is still here and at home to celebrate with us.”

Kristi Marshall’s daughter, Paige, received care from CHoR after she was diagnosed NMDA Encephalitis. (Sara McCloskey, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Daughter is a ‘walking miracle’ after a rare diagnosis

In February, Kristi Marshall’s daughter, Paige, was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease called NMDA Encephalitis. This condition is typically caused by tumors in a patient’s ovaries, but scans showed Paige didn’t have any. Doctors suspected a virus caused the illness, which made Paige experience a wide range of symptoms including seizures, mental health problems, vision and hearing impairments, decreased mobility, memory loss, and difficulty eating and speaking. At one point, she was put on a ventilator.

“CHoR saved my daughter’s life and gave me hope when I thought all was lost while she fought for her life. The doctors and nurses were surprised by how her diagnosis was so rare, but never gave up on her,” Kristin said. “They surrounded me with such great support and kept my mind in a positive attitude and provided me with the knowledge of what was going on every step of the way and the reassurance that she was in good hands.”

Paige had a plasmapheresis procedure at CHoR, a process that treats plasma in blood and removes extra antibodies – essentially cleaning it. Mom notes how closely Paige’s OB-GYN and neurologists are working together and keeping track of her health to ensure she can live her best life.

“We have been home since July and Paige is thriving in all areas! She's a walking miracle. Looking at her now, you'd never guess what she went through physically and mentally,” she said. “We are FOREVER grateful for CHoR!”

Nina Friar (right), VCU Health’s Strategy & Marketing Manager, is grateful for the care both she and her mother (right) received from VCU Health. (Sara McCloskey, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Memorable milestones to celebrate this year and next

Last Thanksgiving was challenging for Nina Friar, VCU Health’s Strategy & Marketing Manager. Just days after “hiking, swimming, and riding camels,” Nina said her mother was admitted into a medical facility and was completely immobilized. As Nina was stepping in to help her parents, she was also having her fifth IUI fertility treatment with Richard Lucidi, M.D.

Thanks to the extradentary teamwork across VCU Health, Nina is celebrating Thanksgiving with her mom this year.

"A team who doesn’t often get thanked, but who I’m very grateful for, reports to Ryan Raisig, the health system’s vice president of care continuum. His team follows patients from location to location, ensuring they receive smooth, seamless care. While I’ve never met Hallie Kreul, she was the nursing director who facilitated Mama’s transfer to VCU Health,” Nina explained. “The care we received at VCU Medical Center was extraordinary. We met with orthopaedic surgeons, infectious disease specialists, and neurologists. It was Mama’s physical and occupational therapists, Andrew and Raymond, who told us she was accepted into Sheltering Arms Institute. A little like a graduation, Mama was so happy she cried.”

And Nina is also excited and grateful for what the new year will bring to her family.

“It feels like a precious irony that my due date – when I hope to have my baby – may fall on the exact date my mother was discharged from our care last year,” Nina explained. “Last month, I was gifted a used crib. Mama sanded it, painted it, and she drew little sheep frolicking across its top. None of this would be possible without the care at VCU Health – there wouldn’t be sheep and there wouldn’t be a baby. To our whole team, across the entire continuum of care at VCU Health, thank you!”

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