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April 10, 2009
Gladstone family gifts to Marquette General in appreciation of expert care
Crystal and Craig Ness have a heightened appreciation for the superb quality of health care available at Marquette General Hospital.
“Our experience was a positive one from the beginning to the end,” Crystal and Craig said. “In the future, if either one of my children receives as much as a bee string, we will be taking them to Marquette General Hospital.”
The Ness family feels the way they do because of the exceptional care their 19-month-old son, Jayden, received at MGH.
In late January, Jayden fell off a chair and onto a ceramic tile floor, splitting his tongue. A local emergency department nurse told the Ness family that they do not sew tongues and it would heal on its own.
Later that day, however, Jayden’s tongue progressively swelled, making it nearly impossible for him to drink or eat anything.
“We called our pediatrician to see if there was anything we could do or should be doing for Jayden,” Crystal and Craig said. “We were unable to reach him, so we called Marquette General.”
Craig talked to an Emergency Department nurse, who then consulted with ED physician Dr. Steve Verbridge. The MGH ED advised Crystal and Craig to bring their son to the ED.
“A pleasant receptionist quickly checked us in, and a few minutes later we were escorted to a patient room,” Crystal and Craig said.
Dr. Verbridge examined Jayden and told his parents that the tongue needed to be stitched.
“He explained to us that if it would not have healed properly on its own and he would have had experienced speech difficulties, among other problems,” Craig and Crystal said.
Dr. Verbridge consulted with Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist Dr. David Heichel, who was on call that evening.
“Dr. Heichel immediately placed us at ease,” Crystal and Craig said. “He was professional and knowledgeable, yet down to earth.”
Dr. Heichel operated on Jayden within the hour. In just two days, he was eating grapes and a hotdog without any problems.
“A couple of weeks later,” the parents said, “we couldn’t even see a line where his stitches were.”
Crystal and Craig applauded the caring, compassionate Operating Room staff who exhibited kind and gentle care to a frightened and visibly upset 19-month-old boy.
The entire experience at Marquette General made firm believers out of the Ness family.
“We’re so grateful we decided to take our son to Marquette General Hospital,” Crystal and Craig said. “Every person we came in contact with was a consummate professional.”
In appreciation for their son’s excellent care, Crystal and Craig provided a much-appreciated gift to the Grateful Patients and Families Program offered through the Marquette General Foundation. They also recognized the ED staff and Dr. Heichel.
A. Gary Muller, FACHE, CEO and President of MGHS, said he and the MGHS family receive great satisfaction in hearing from grateful patients and families.
“We take great pride in having a highly trained and compassionate healthcare team,” Muller said. “We’re so pleased the Ness family called Marquette General. And, we’re even more pleased that little Jayden is doing well.”
To learn more about the Grateful Patient and Families Program, visit the Marquette General Foundation website at www.mgh.org/foundation or call (906) 225-6914.
Brochures are available throughout the Health System and in the Foundation office.
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