Category Archives: Inspirational Stories

Andrew’s Story: College Student Gets Back on Track with Therapy at MidHudson Behavioral Center

Andrew is grateful for the treatment he receives from the Behavioral Health Center of Excellence at MidHudson Regional Hospital. As a new college student at a nearby school, Andrew felt lost. He found himself sinking deeper and deeper and didn’t know where to turn. His sessions with Marshal Sheldon, a mental health therapist at MidHudson Regional Hospital helped him to put things in perspective and refocus his priorities. Working with Marshall, Andrew gained insight and skills to cope with depression and anxiety.

“I found it really hard to find my place. So, I ended up spending a lot of time on wrong priorities when I should have been focusing on doing well in my classes,” he said. “I ended up isolating and making it so much worse by cutting myself off from everybody.  Until I started talking to Marshall, I never really made an actual connection with someone. I feel like I can talk to him on more personal level.’’

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Amanda’s Story: Cancer Care Close to Home Provides Support for Young Mother

Amanda Batista is grateful for the care she received at HealthAlliance Hospital’s Infusion Center after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Shortly after giving birth to her first daughter in March of 2020, Amanda Batista noticed a lump in her breast. At first she thought it was related to breast feeding until she got the diagnosis. Despite the fact that she was knowledgeable about cancer, she said she was still terrified.

“That’s why it was so important to have a place like HealthAlliance Hospital. A place close to home where you can receive the support you need. That is invaluable. I remember my first day of chemo. I wondered whether I would live to see my daughter turn 1, but after my first time at the Infusion Center, I felt like they got me. They were so thoughtful and caring. I’ll never be able to express how grateful I am,’’ said Amanda.

Amanda is now cancer free and enjoying her role as a new mother.

“Without HealthAlliance Hospital and the Oncology Support Group, I don’t know how I would have made it. It allowed me to continue working full-time. If I had to travel for care, not to mention taking care of a baby, it would have been impossible. Having this infusion center so close to home, was such a blessing,” she said.

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Karen’s Story: Pure Gold

Karen Gauvin knows the ins and outs of great healthcare. She spent much of her career working in hospitals, sub-acute rehabilitation and home care. 

Her high regard for the staff at St. Anthony Community Hospital mostly comes from her father’s multiple inpatient stays there. “The staff are amazing,” Karen said, “I was impressed straight through all aspects of Dad’s care. He received excellent medical attention and was much loved.”

Karen now works in real estate in Warwick. The hospital is one of her selling points. “I always talk about St. Anthony; it is pure gold, right here in the heart of Warwick!”

Also a member of the hospital’s Foundation, Karen said that she hopes community members appreciate the importance of doing what they can – large or small – to support local healthcare. “We are a nonprofit that uses contributions to advance health services, and every contribution helps make a difference. I donate and serve on the Foundation because I am grateful, I want to give back and I want to do my part to make Warwick an even better community.”

Karen Gauvin is a Warwick resident, Bon Secours Warwick Health Foundation Board of Directors member, Licensed Real Estate Broker/Owner, OUR HOUSE Real Estate Group, LLC.

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Ron’s Story: We Support Local Healthcare

I have lived in Warwick since 1948. Of course, St. Anthony Community Hospital was a very different place at that time. But what has stayed the same is that it is always here for all of us. The staff knows what they’re doing and they do it well.

My wife Marge and I have donated to the hospital for many years. This is an extremely important local resource that uses contributions to support the healthcare it provides our community.

St. Anthony has been important to my family. My mom worked in the Medical Records Department in the 1950s. Over the years, we have received care at the hospital many times. Our two children were born there and my wife had major surgery there. When I became extremely ill, St. Anthony’s doctors ran extensive tests before they referred me elsewhere for specialized care. I was impressed — they knew what was beyond the purview of their expertise. They did everything right. 

Many years ago, I was on the Foundation Board of Directors and then served on the Hospital Board. It was inspiring to see how St. Anthony’s leaders and staff were committed to do their best for the town and the hospital. I know that commitment still holds true from everything we continue to see.

One of the best things a community can have is a hospital like ours. When we send our charitable gifts, we always request that they be used for the Warwick Healthcare Campus, since St. Anthony is part of a larger healthcare network. Marge and I are proud to make donations that help support our local hospital, and we thank others who do the same. We are lucky to have St. Anthony.

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Kelly’s Story: Lifeline to High Quality Care

Kelly Decker has seen time and again how Bon Secours Community Hospital is our tri-state lifeline to high quality healthcare.  As a husband, father, educator, first responder, patient, and the Port Jervis mayor, he understands how important it is that we can count on Bon Secours’ staff for top-notch, compassionate care.

Kelly Decker is beyond grateful to the teams at Bon Secours Community Hospital for providing excellent care and taking the time to patiently explain each step in his treatment. Even during the most stressful days of the pandemic, he said the staff cared for him — and countless others — with respect and kindness. 

“Donations to Bon Secours – from people like us – help ensure that our community continues to receive state-of-the-art healthcare. Let’s stand together to support our local hospital.”

— Kelly Decker, Port Jervis Mayor, Port Jervis Teacher, Lifelong Port Jervis Resident

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Larry’s Story: Ten Years Later and Still Grateful 

It’s been nearly a decade since Larry Palant had emergency cardiac catheterization at Good Samaritan Hospital. But his gratitude for the staff in our Emergency Department, the Active International Cardiovascular Institute and others at the hospital remains deep.

Larry came to the ED with crushing chest pain. A cardiac evaluation showed that his troponin levels were high, indicating a heart attack. Larry was brought to the Cardiac Catheterization Lab where he received two stents. 

Then, age 62, the Suffern resident had no prior heart issues and no known family history of cardiac disease. 

Larry was discharged for follow up care with Metropolitan Cardiology in Suffern. He required a third stent later that year. Since then, he continues to feel great.

“The quality of care at Good Sam is terrific,” Larry said. “We are fortunate to have this hospital here in Rockland County! Good Samaritan has grown over the years from a local resource that you once relied on mostly for emergencies to a state-of-the-art facility with many advanced capabilities, including an impressive roster of doctors who are part of Bon Secours Medical Group.” 

Larry is thankful that he is healthy and active. Retired from his property management company, he now focuses on Suffern Rotary Club activities. He also is the former Rotary district governor, where he oversaw 55 Rotary Clubs in the Lower Hudson Valley.  Larry loves his time with his wife, children and grandchildren and enjoys cooking and baking for family and friends. 

“Knowing that we have such quality care, literally around the corner from my home, is extremely reassuring,” Larry said. “Local hospitals, like Good Samaritan, rely on community support, both financially and through the continued use of its practitioners. Over the course of the last few years, my wife and I have switched to many Bon Secours Medical Group practices because it provides a single point of reference that makes our continuity and coordination of care very easy. And when warranted, we recommend them to friends.”

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Clifford’s Story: Thoughtful Donor, Grateful Patient, Champion of Miracles and Five and One-Half Years Cancer Free

When Clifford Nyman learned that he had prostate cancer, he chose Dr. Fraiman at Good Samaritan Hospital. Even though he lives in Eastchester, a little less than an hour from Suffern, he said that the car rides were worth every minute.

“Dr. Fraiman came highly recommended. I was assured that he is an authority on prostate cancer and that he is extremely compassionate,” Cliff said. “I also was told that at Good Samaritan Hospital, I would receive personalized, attentive care. The recommendations were spot on. Everyone on staff, from Dr. Fraiman to the radiology techs and nurses made it clear that they were there to help me, and that meant the world to me.”

Cliff emphasized that his experiences confirmed that Good Samaritan is big enough to provide a broad range of advanced services, but small enough to treat patients like family.

“My Christian faith gave me tremendous strength. The whole experience of beating cancer has been a miracle,” Cliff said.

“I am so grateful to be five and one-half years cancer free!”

As a donor, Cliff said that charitable gifts help Good Samaritan Hospital continually offer state-of-the-art care. “I make it a point to contribute regularly. I also appreciate everyone else who gives what they can because it is true: every donation makes a difference.”

Join Clifford and show your gratitude at Give.WMCHealth.org/GSH.

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Rabbi Robert’s Story: Celebrating Life, Family and Gratitude

“I want to keep saying, ‘Thank You,‘ over and over again,” said Rabbi Robert Lam. “I am alive and healthy because I got the care I needed at the right time and the right place, and for that my gratitude is overwhelming!”

The 65-year-old Pomona resident recalled that his wife wasted no time in calling for an ambulance when he told her that he felt intense pressure on his chest. He said, “The EMTs from Hatzoloh EMS of Rockland brought me to Good Samaritan’s Emergency Department. That is when it was confirmed that I was having a heart attack and needed a stent right away.”

Rabbi Lam said that he has recovered nicely and feels well. He expressed deep appreciation for every person who did what was necessary to help him. “I am so fortunate that Good Samaritan’s doctors were able to save my life. I also am thankful to all the other staff at the hospital who took such good care of me and made my experience there as pleasant as possible.” 

Knowing that philanthropy helps the hospital continue to invest in patient care, Rabbi Lam reflected on the importance of tzedakah, the Hebrew word used to signify charity. “Community support for the hospital benefits all of us,” he said. “Good Samaritan goes beyond saving the life of the patient. When you save one person, you save a whole family and a community.”

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Donna’s Story: An Exceptional Experience

“I had an exceptional experience at Good Samaritan! 

“The orthopedic program staff make everything easy, from pre-surgery testing to post-surgery follow up. Their surgeons use state-of-the-art techniques to ensure great outcomes. I can now walk pain free. I can go to affairs and dance pain free. Before I could only watch.” — Donna Gorman Silberman, Rockland County Clerk and Grateful Patient

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Randy’s Story: Ten Years Later and Still Grateful 

For more than 30 years, Randy Klipstein has made annual donations to Good Samaritan Hospital. He says that he does it to remember his friends. 

Randy’s memories of Good Samaritan go back to childhood in the 1970s when, over an extended period, his mother received care here for breast cancer. 

“On Sundays my family would bring The New York Times Crossword Puzzle to Mom at Good Sam,” Randy said. “When a top Good Samaritan administrator, who also loved crosswords, heard about ‘the patient who was a crossword whiz,’ she visited Mom weekly so they could work on the puzzles together. But that’s not what I remember most.”

Randy recalled that in 1973, the hospital gave each patient a corsage during a Christmas party. “By this time, my mother was too sick to wear her corsage. But my father kept that flower prominently displayed in his home for more than twenty years, for the rest of his life,” he said.  “I know that there was no possession that he cherished more.  When I asked him about it, he said that ‘he doesn’t forget his friends.’”

It’s been over forty-five years since Randy’s mother was given that gift. He has since moved away from Rockland County but continues to donate to Good Samaritan. “I remember my friends, too.”

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