Mr. Helwig:

I wanted to pass on my compliments and gratitude for the amazing service provided by your hospital last week. On July 11, I presented to your hospital via ambulance with abdominal pain. I was visiting Colorado from out of state with friends on a week long backcountry mountain bike trip from Durango, heading to Moab, Utah. A few days in, I started to develop pretty significant belly pain that parked down on the lower right side and wouldn’t go away. Our group was well in the wilderness and in an unfamiliar area and needed to find a hospital. When we were able to make it to Rico, we were informed the closest medical facility was still an hour away in Cortez. We only had our bikes, as our rental car had been shuttled to Utah and were with limited options. EMS graciously brought me in.

I do have to admit, I was slightly apprehensive to present to an unknown hospital in a town I was only vaguely familiar with, now alone, and concerned I might need surgery. Starting with the kind professionalism of the hospital-based EMS crew, I soon realized I was in the best place in the state for my issue. Upon arriving in the ER, I was immediately met by friendly staff and my apprehension laid to rest upon meeting Dr. Mark Turpen, the ER doctor that day. Dr. Turpen proved exceedingly competent coupled with a warm, personable demeanor that set me at ease.

Remarkably, within 90 minutes of arrival all my tests had confirmed my appendicitis and I met my surgeon, Dr. Rainer. His care was exemplary. I immediately felt complete trust in his skills, which was well founded. Dr. Rainer was technically exceptional, but with a humility and compassion not always found in the surgical profession. The unprompted phone call to my wife set her at ease and we both understood I was in the right hands. Surgery went well.

As might be expected, post operatively I was not my best, yet I could not have asked to be in a better facility. The overnight nurse Eirin was remarkable: kind, supportive, with keen clinical sense of anticipating my medical needs ensuring my comfort in recovery. Floor tech Hillary was so friendly with her cheerful demeanor and help. The next morning RN Mical took over and I realized I was again lucky to have such phenomenal skilled care. I felt like the only patient in the hospital; the call button was never needed as Mical, assisted by tech Kerri, treated me so well. Mical went above and beyond what could be expected to assist with contacting surgery groups here in Seattle to arrange follow up, working to ensure all components of transition from stay to discharge to returning to Seattle were seamless.

In summary, my experience at Southwest Memorial hospital was exceptional. I feel very fortunate fate led me to Cortez for my care, and expect I’ll have to make a trip back if I ever need another surgery! Thank you again to all your remarkable providers and staff.

Barrett Adams MD, FACEP

North Sound Emergency Medicine

Everett, WA

Attending, University of Washington

Harborview Emergency Dept.

Seattle, WA

Medical Director

Snohomish County Fire District #4

Snohomish, WA