Pullman Regional Hospital’s Guardian Angel Grateful Patient Program provides patients and loved ones with a way to say “thank you” to a caregiver. If a physician, nurse, staff member, or volunteer has brought comfort to you in your time of need, please consider recognizing them with a gift to the Pullman Regional Hospital Foundation. Gifts to this special program pay tribute to the outstanding caregiver, while also helping to provide resources for the hospital’s highest needs.
Keri Jones (Speech Language Pathologist), Nick Zollo (Physical Therapist), Tim Williams (Physical Therapist), Laurel Mitzel (Massage Therapist), and Chelsea Shors (Occupational Therapist), members of the Summit Therapy & Health Services team at Pullman Regional Hospital, were honored with a Guardian Angel Award by grateful patient Kyle Clary and his family.
Kyle Clary sustained a severe head injury as a result of slipping on rocks at the Snake River. He was taken to a local hospital, then transported to the University of Utah’s Craig Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital for continued care. “We were extremely nervous about going from 24-hour care to bringing Kyle home to outpatient care,” recalls Lori Clary, Kyle’s mother. “We knew Kyle would need extensive therapy, so I contacted Summit Therapy & Health Services. They set up a conference call with their therapists so I could get a feel for their style to make sure they would be a good fit for Kyle; after the meeting, I felt more at ease with this transition home.”
“I was extremely impressed with how each therapist made Kyle feel welcome, treated him with respect and dignity, and seemed to really understand what he needed to make improvements,” says Lori. “Their expertise was not only in their respective therapies, but also in recovery from a traumatic brain injury. From day one, we felt like Kyle was in excellent care.”
Kyle has worked with Tim Williams, Chelsea Shors, Laurel Mitzel, Nick Zollo, and Keri Jones for over a year and a half now. Not only have Kyle and his family gotten to know the therapists, but also the support staff at Summit through their many visits. “From the front desk receptionist to the therapy assistants- everyone always gives a wonderful welcome to Kyle and our family,” recalls Lori Clary.
“We truly can’t say enough great things about the staff at Summit. The therapists have played a critical role in Kyle’s continued improvement, have encouraged him and treated him with respect, and we are forever grateful for them,” says Lori Clary. “Thank you for giving us this opportunity to recognize them for the difference they’ve made in Kyle’s recovery.”
Wondering how your caregiver gets recognized? After you or your family makes a donation to the Pullman Regional Hospital Foundation in honor of the caregiver, the Guardian Angel will be notified of your generous donation. The Guardian Angel will receive a custom-crafted angel pin to proudly wear on his or her lapel. Their name will be published in the Foundation’s Annual Report, internal hospital communications, as well as recognition at hospital events.
If you’d like to learn more about the program or honor a Pullman Regional Hospital & Clinic Network caregiver that impacted you, information is available on the Guardian Angel Program webpage.