November 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—The sibling of a Partners in Care private pay client who recently passed away sent a note of thanks to her sister’s home health aide, Marcia Williams. “Thank you for your kindness to my sister, and for everything you did to make her final days comfortable and peaceful,” she wrote. “Her friends all spoke about the wonderful care you gave her. It’s comforting to know you were with her when she died.” The writer signed off, “with gratitude.”

Manhattan—A patient with an infected wound who received daily care from nurse Tharinee Kauper over a number of months wrote to say, “Tharinee is extremely knowledgeable, efficient and polite. She is a caring nurse who represents your company well.”

A Manhattan resident penned a letter extolling the care provided by nurse Imelda Ramos to his wife after she returned home from a two-month stay in a rehab facility for a blood clot. “We were scared about what lay ahead,” he recalled. “Our prayers were answered the first day with the arrival of Imelda. For the past several months, she has been our own angel. Professional, caring, patient, and a joy to be with, she has nursed Mary as if she were family.”

A Manhattan patient sent an email praising physical therapist Akshata Ullal. “I am delighted to write to tell you how wonderful Akshata is,” the patient noted. “She is dedicated, knowledgeable and very encouraging, and I can see an impressive improvement since I’ve been working with her. She always has tips that she shares, and they are all very helpful. She is a great physical therapist and I feel lucky that she was assigned to me.”

Interdisciplinary care team manager Patti Russell and physical therapist Robradlino (Bradley) Hemedes were also the subject of a complementary email from a Manhattan patient.

“Patti, I never dreamt how you would help my recovery,” she wrote. “First, you were so responsive to me! Thank you! Second, you sent Bradley to me. He has been coming to my third-floor walkup brownstone on the Upper East Side for four weeks. His professionalism and upbeat/can-do attitude have made the difference in my recovery. I will miss his visits! Thank you, Patti—you and your team MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE! I appreciate everything you have done for me!”

Another Manhattan patient mailed a letter of thanks for the care provided by nurse Neely Bagley, physical therapist Dharmesh Prajapati, and physical therapy assistant Cyril Catedrilla. “What a team!!!” he wrote.

Nassau—The wife of a Nassau patient wrote to say that the care provided by physical therapist Tom Tsouros and occupational therapist Maria Pugliese was “incredible.” She added, “Tom is a knowledgeable, caring and outstanding therapist, and Maria was also very helpful in aiding my husband’s rehabilitation and recovery.”

A Nassau patient recovering from a total hip replacement emailed to say, “I just wanted to touch base regarding my experience with VNSNY. I happen to be a physician, and I am fortunate that this was my first surgery. I returned home on a Sunday after a two-night hospital stay and received a prompt call on Monday from VNSNY making various appointments. Everyone I came into contact with was kind, competent and caring. The nurse, Beth Grazulewicz, and the OT, Catherine Henry-Polchinski, each visited several times and were just lovely to deal with. I had multiple sessions with PT Patty Vieira. She was wonderful and she will be missed. Her unique sense of humor led to enjoyable banter during her visits. She kept my spirits high. Kudos to VNSNY for a job well done!”

Queens—A patient sent a letter praising the care he received from nurse Tong Li Xiao. “She showed great skill in providing wound care,” the patient wrote. “Her treatment recommendations to the surgeon were on target and extremely helpful, and she also provided skilled counseling on diet.”

The daughter of another Queens patient phoned to express how much her mother had been helped by physical therapist Enoch Persad. “Enoch is thorough, patient, caring and funny, and my mother looks forward to his visits,” the daughter said.