Patient gives thanks with generous donations

When Carol fell in August 2013, she was hesitant to call for help, thinking her injury would improve. However, after waiting for a couple of days, she could no longer stand the pain. She called for an ambulance, and it brought her to Swedish Covenant Hospital. She was so grateful that she made that decision, and for the care she received, that she made a generous donation to thank the hospital.“I was told by Dr. [Ermias] Tilahun that I was close to going into a coma and I believe he saved my life,” Carol said.In addition to Dr. Tilahun, Carol praises the work of the many nurses and staff that provided care during her stay. The care she received was so exemplary that three years later, she still remembers the names of the nurses who got her back on her feet. Carol knows that there is something special about the nurses at Swedish Covenant Hospital. She said that after spending nine days as an inpatient getting to know them, they felt like friends and she always wanted to return to say “hi.”Following her discharge, Carol wanted to show her appreciation for the care she received, but she did not know how. When she received a mailing from the hospital, she decided to show her gratitude by making a generous donation.Last fall, when Carol needed treatment after another fall, she knew she wanted to return to Swedish Covenant Hospital. So appreciative of the care she received from the nurses in the Emergency Department, she chose to increase her donation.“As you can see, I don't know any other way of saying ‘thanks for being there for me when I needed help,'” Carol said.To learn more about the Grateful Patient Program at Swedish Covenant Hospital click here, or contact the Foundation at (773) 293-5121 or Foundation@swedishcovenant.org.