Coined for Compassion | A Veteran’s Tribute to His Care Team

posted on: 6/6/2025 9:17:51 AM

Gary, a veteran from Ohio who proudly served two tours overseas, recently returned to Lima Memorial to personally thank the care team who supported him through a life-threatening complication following a procedure. He expressed deep gratitude to Dr. Farnaz, calling her “the best doctor I’ve ever had,” an “angel” and “a jewel.” He also praised Dr. Tavakoli as “a gem” and the only physician to diagnose and treat the root cause of his condition, after enduring years of unresolved issues, including 4 – 5 strokes and numerous visits to larger healthcare facilities.

During his recent hospitalization, Gary vividly recalled the care he received from Amy and her sister, Jen, both nurses in the Procedural Care Unit. While he commended the entire PCU team as outstanding, exceptional and tremendous, Amy and Jen stood out most because of the time and attention they gave him. He shared that Amy stayed by his side continuously, making him feel like he was her only patient, even though he knew she had others to care for.

Gary experienced excessive bleeding after his procedure and truly believed he might not survive. He remembered seeing the urgency in the nurses’ eyes as they worked to stabilize him, yet he felt reassured by their composure and confidence. He emphasized that Amy and Jen never took a break, were by his side the entire time, and not only knew what they were doing, but deeply cared.

As a veteran, Gary shared a personal story from his time overseas. After suffering a serious injury, a nurse had taken exceptional care of him, but he never had the chance to thank her before she was reassigned. He carried that regret with him for years. When he began recovering from his recent experience at Lima Memorial, he promised himself he would not miss the chance again. True to his word, he returned in person to thank Amy and Jen for saving his life, presenting each of them with a special military coin in heartfelt appreciation for their care.

If you have had a positive experience at Lima Memorial or want to recognize a caregiver who made a difference, consider sharing your story. Visit Lima Memorial's Recognize and Thank a Caregiver page to express your appreciation.