July 11, 2016
Marg Gillespie says her late husband Bill received such good care at the Red Deer Regional Hospital in January that she wants to recognize its health care staff for their kindness.
Story by Kerri Robins; photo courtesy Red Deer Regional Health Foundation
RED DEER — Marg Gillespie says she’s forever grateful for the great care her husband Bill received at the Red Deer Regional Hospital — and for the precious moments her family was able to share with him because of it.
“Dr. Michael Mulholland is a lovely man, with a lovely bedside manner,” says Marg. “When he sat down on Bill’s bed, he said he was going to look after Bill for as long as he needed care.”
Despite Dr. Mulholland’s care, Bill died of complications from liver and colorectal cancer. Thinking back on the experience, Marg says that while the experience was devastating, she also says she couldn’t have been more pleased and thankful for the respectful, loving care her husband of 44 years received by both Dr. Mulholland, and their family physician, Dr. Cornelis Claasen.
Shortly after Bill’s passing in January, Marg returned to the hospital with flowers and a note of thanks for Dr. Mulholland. “I wanted him to know how much we all appreciated his kindness and genuine concern.”
Fortunately for people like the Gillespie family, there’s now a new way to show appreciation for the kindness and loving care they receive thanks to the newly launched Red Deer Regional Health Foundation Grateful Patient Giving program.
“We have seen more and more people coming by to tell us about the great care their family has received and wanting to acknowledge that care through a donation,” says program founder Erin Cupples, Fund Development Officer.
“The program is a great fit for us and our health care staff that not only gives patients the opportunity to formally say thank-you, but benefits the hospital through donations.” Like his colleagues, Dr. Mulholland put his patient first when Marg and Bill, then 66-years-old, visited the hospital emergency room Jan. 20.
“When we arrived at the emergency we were put under Dr. Mulholland’s care, and he made us feel looked-after when he said, ‘If you need anything I will come to you.’”
While Bill’s cancer diagnosis came as a painful shock for the family, throughout their ordeal they said the hospital staff made sure they had everything they needed.
“They made sure my daughter and I both had beds near Bill, and they checked on us often, day and night, to make sure we were comfortable,” says Marg.
Mulholland says he’s touched by Marg’s kind words and her sincerity — sentiments which staff also found heartwarming.
“For me, treating people the way I want to be treated is the most important part of any patient treatment plan,” says Mulholland.
“Our whole team is exceptional and it takes more than one person to provide the care needed by every one of our patients. I’m fortunate to have such a great group of people to help put our patients first, and couldn’t have done it alone.”
Cupples adds that grateful patients can honour whoever they wish, from unit clerks to surgeons — and the foundation staff feel proud to be able to bring everyone together.
“There’s an increase in team morale when a co-worker is honoured and it just makes everyone want to do the best possible job,” says Cupples.
As for Marg and her family: “We really appreciated how Dr. Mulholland included us all when providing information. His honesty and kindness in speaking about Bill’s condition made the whole situation bearable.”
If you would like to recognize a special health care provider through a donation, please contact the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation at 403-343-4773, foundation@ahs.ca, or visit rdrhfoundation.com.
