December 2017 Patient Letters

The following are excerpts from a few of the many recent letters, phone calls, and emails that we’ve received from grateful patients and family members. Together, they reflect the outstanding work done each and every day by VNSNY’s entire frontline staff.

Brooklyn—A Brooklyn Heights resident who recently had hip replacement surgery emailed to say “what a great pleasure it was, and how grateful I am to have had Thobile Sibanda as my physical therapist.” The writer continued, “She is a great listener, very knowledgeable and very professional and pleasant to work with. I am very fortunate that she was part of my recovery, and I feel that whoever gets the chance to work with her is very blessed, as I was!”

Manhattan—“From July to September, I was recovering at home from hip replacement surgery,” wrote a resident of Manhattan’s East Side. “During that time, I received wonderful care from my VNSNY care team of nurse Phil Leon, physical therapist Grace Peters, and occupational therapist Minerva Gamarra. Unfortunately the operated leg began blistering badly a few days after I was home. Phil came regularly to keep the blistered leg clean and covered with nonstick bandages until it was completely healed a few weeks later. Grace and Minerva gave me many leg strengthening and core strengthening exercises to help me learn to walk again without a walker. Thanks to both of them, I’m back on my feet again, walking with only my cane.” She added, “They were all positive, encouraging and supportive even when I wondered aloud if I would ever get to the end of what seemed like a very long road back to recovery. I am most grateful for the care I received.”

Another hip replacement patient wrote to praise the care she received from physical therapist Ginette Kneski. “Ginette was a consummate professional who deftly balanced encouragement with appropriate caution about the risk of overdoing it,” he noted. “She patiently and thoroughly explained to my wife and me the mechanics of how the new joint can be stressed by certain movements and clearly answered our many questions. She was most creative in tailoring progressively challenging exercise routines to my specific situation, which certainly optimized my progress to date. I wanted to take the opportunity to acknowledge genuine excellence and express my gratitude for having her assigned to my case.”

An ostomy patient phoned to compliment nurse John Balagot for being “absolutely fantastic, the best nurse in New York.” She went on to say, “All the nurses who have come have been kind, thoughtful, professional and respectful.”

“I am writing to let you know how much I have appreciated and benefited from the expertise of Al Macuto as my physical therapist,” wrote another patient. “I first met Al in 2016. I had received a kidney from a living donor, which was great. But during the procedure the femoral nerve for my right leg quads was compressed. Al worked with me during those first challenging months, helping to bring back motion. It was a depressing time for me, and Al’s professionalism made a big difference in my remaining optimistic as I progressed. In late 2016, I had a total replacement of my left knee, and Al provided physical therapy. In October of this year I had my right knee replaced and again Al assisted me. This time my recovery has been much more rapid. At all times Al would explain what he was doing and why and always used a hands-on approach, making me push myself but not to excess. I consider myself very fortunate to have been assigned Al and recommend him without condition.”

Nassau—A patient in Glen Cove, Long Island phoned to express what “great customer service” she received from VNSNY. She gave special praise to physical therapist Karen Nash for doing “an outstanding job as a therapist” and being “very professional and patient,” and to nurse Sheila Rodriguez for being “so professional, courteous, compassionate, and a pleasure—just what I needed!”

Another former Nassau County patient phoned to thank his VNSNY RNs, Allison Kenney, Geraldine McGrath, Elizabeth Childress and LPN Frances Ferrer, and to wish them a Happy Thanksgiving. “I miss them all,” he said. “I appreciate all they did for me. They’re all great, and your company is wonderful.”

Finally, a Nassau patient wrote to say that physical therapist Erica Riedel is “the most caring, diligent and competent person I have met in this field.”

Queens—A patient in Queens called to praise the care provided by nurse Nelly Ilyasov in fixing a problem with his catheter. “She did a great job and is super-nice,” the patient stated.

Staten Island—A patient recovering from hip replacement surgery wrote a letter complimenting physical therapist Ibijoke “Betty” Ayetiwa for “the exceptional manner in which she assisted in my recovery.” The patient added, “She presents the highest level of professionalism and dedication to her work. She challenged me to persevere even on days when my body seemed not to cooperate. She was patient, warm, and deeply concerned about my well-being. She is an asset to your agency, and most of all to her patients.”