To the Editor:
I am writing this letter not as an employee of Bayonne Medical Center, but as the daughter of a recent patient. Since December 2008, my stepdad Len has been coming to Bayonne Medical Center as a patient. Len would never think of going to any other hospital. In fact, my parents live in Verona, about 20 miles from Bayonne and would never consider going to a closer hospital. They loved BMC that much.
On Aug. 3, 2012, Len was very sick and as a result my mother called 9-1-1. The ambulance arrived at my parents’ house and when we spoke to the paramedic and said we would like for Len to be taken to Bayonne, the paramedic asked why we travel so far away when we can go to a closer hospital. My mom responded that Len loved BMC and wouldn’t go anyplace else; he didn’t trust any other hospital. The paramedic called his captain for approval to take Len to Bayonne, and Len was immediately taken to BMC’s emergency department.
Len was admitted to the Critical Care Unit of the hospital and died on Aug. 12. If you knew my stepdad, he would want me to thank BMC and let the world know that the hospital took such great care of him.
First, I would like to thank Len’s physicians, Dr. Peter Wong, the cardiologist who Len affectionately called “the Man;” Dr. Howard Levine, internist; Dr. John Hahn, gastroenterologist; Dr. James Pristolas, nephrologist; and Dr. Larry Byrd, nephrologist. Thank you for all that you did for Len while he was in your care. My family couldn’t have asked for more skilled, talented and compassionate physicians. My family is eternally grateful for all that you did for Len.
Second, I would like to thank the nursing staff in the Critical Care Unit and the nursing staff in the emergency department. The nursing staff went above and beyond in caring for Len, and for that my family is grateful.
To the countless people who stopped my mother in the hallway or visited her while she was at Len’s bedside in the CCU, the people who stopped by my office to offer their prayers and condolences, to Len’s dialysis family, and to so many others who continue to ask about my mom, we thank you for your friendship, kindness, and thoughtfulness.
I can’t thank everyone enough for all that you did for Len. I couldn’t ask for a more special group of people to work with every day.
ALLYSON MILLER