Pullman Regional Hospital’s Guardian Angel Grateful Patient Program provides patients and loved ones 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.
Glenn and Kathy Johnson honored Nancy Gregory, Internal Medicine Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner at Palouse Medical, with a Guardian Angel award for her longtime care.
“I have a complicated medical history,” explained Kathy. The relationship between a patient and a provider is often a special one- comprised of trust, mutual respect, and care. “Nancy was the one to tell me I had cancer. I remember how upset she was that she had to break that news to me,” says Kathy. “Nancy has been my physician for a long time and has always been there for me.”
In 2016, Kathy, who lives in Pullman, had major spine surgery in Seattle, which resulted in her being in a coma. Upon returning to Pullman for rehabilitation, she had to relearn everything. This challenging road to recovery became even harder when Kathy suddenly fell sick and was unable to get out of bed for four days, causing her to miss an appointment with Nancy at Palouse Medical. Nancy came to the rehabilitation facility after-hours to see Kathy and immediately called an ambulance to take her to Pullman Regional Hospital, where she then was Life Flighted back to Seattle. “I had acquired sepsis from the Seattle hospital and the infection was advanced,” says Kathy.
Kathy isn't the only one that has benefitted from Nancy's attention to detail and compassionate care. Nancy was on duty at Palouse Medical in 2003 when Glenn stopped by on a Friday afternoon with a possible appendix pain. Nancy ordered blood tests, then ordered a CT scan at the hospital and quickly got a surgeon’s attention. The surgeon did laparoscopic surgery within hours, removed the appendix and told Glenn they got it just in time before it burst!
“Nancy saved my life,” reflected Kathy. “She has gone above and beyond for me on many occasions over the years.”
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 their lapel. Their name will be published in the Foundation’s Annual Report, internal hospital communications, and recognized at hospital events.
If you’d like to learn more about the program or honor a Pullman Regional caregiver who impacted you, information is available on the Guardian Angel Program webpage.