Category Archives: Inspirational Stories

Tom’s Story: Margaretville Resident Makes Recovery from Serious Fall Thanks to Local Care

Thomas Maulik, 79, is grateful for the high-quality, patient-centered care he received at Margaretville Hospital after a bad fall in November of 2022.

After attending his great granddaughter’s birthday party, Tom, a lifelong Margaretville resident, came down with a mild illness. He and Christine, his wife of 53 years, thought nothing of it until Tom fell in his home one evening. Too weak to stand, he was taken by ambulance to Margaretville Hospital, a member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network.

Over the next two and a half months, Tom underwent rehabilitation at the hospital, relearning how to stand and walk thanks to his twice-a-day rehab sessions and the dedicated nurses and support staff who encouraged his recovery. Christine also provided lots of TLC. Since the hospital is in their community, she could visit Tom every day.

“They gave my husband his life back,” says Christine. “We weren’t sure Tom would ever be home again, but thanks to the excellent care he received, we’re back there together, laughing all the time.”

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Lana’s Story: Care Close to Home Gives Kingston Resident Piece of Mind

Lana Kaminskaya of Kingston is grateful that she can receive treatment for an aggressive form of breast cancer close to home.

Lana, 75, discovered a lump in her breast during a routine self-exam in October of 2022. When further tests confirmed that it was cancer, her doctors immediately began chemotherapy treatment at the Infusion Center at HealthAlliance Hospital. Since then, Lana’s tumor has shrunk. Her doctors continue to monitor her progress.

Lana is so grateful she receives care just minutes from her front door. “People told me I need to get treatment in New York City and I said no. Without family support, without your own bed, you can’t heal,” she says. She is also thankful for the hospital’s Oncology Support Program, which has connected her with various local resources and help groups. Lana says, “My doctors and nurses are amazing, and so is the community’s support. It really matters when so many people are behind you.”

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Chloe and Contessa Gee

Chloe and Contessa’s Story: Life-Saving Heart Surgery for Yonkers Twins

Chloe and Contessa Gee of Yonkers underwent heart surgery in July of 2020 when they were two months old. Their mother, Saleena Gee, was just 23 weeks pregnant when she gave birth to the twin girls at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital.

Weighing barely a pound, they were rushed to the Isaac and Naomi Kaplan Family Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (RNICU), where it was discovered that both had small holes in their hearts. Following surgery to close the holes using cardiac catheterization, the girls began thriving and went home two months later.

Saleena thanked the doctors and nurses for giving her daughters, now two, the chance to grow up.  She said with speech and occupational therapy, the girls are now happy and healthy toddlers.

“I feel really blessed that Chloe and Contessa received world-class care at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital,” she says. “Our care team supported us through every hurdle and the girls are thriving today.”

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Chase’s Story: Beacon Boy Recovers After Emergency Brain Surgery

Jeanine Geiser of Beacon and her husband Jason are grateful that healthcare professionals at Maria Fareri Children’s Services at MidHudson Regional Hospital immediately recognized that Chase, their eight-year-old son, needed advanced care. He was swiftly transferred to Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in Valhalla.  

What appeared to be a simple cold was actually sinusitis so severe that the infection entered Chase’s brain and caused him to suffer a stroke. During his monthlong stay in the hospital, Chase underwent multiple surgeries, spending significant time in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.  

Thanks to the care he received at both hospitals, Chase returned home and continues to recover. His mom reports he is thriving.  

“I can’t say enough about the staff at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital,” said Jeanine. “The doctors were on top of everything from the second we came into the ER. From the security guards and nurses to the child life specialists, everyone was so sweet and checked not only on Chase, but our whole family every day.”

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Michelle’s Story: Fleischmanns Resident Relies on Margaretville Hospital and WMC for Care

Michelle Sidrane is grateful that when emergencies arise, she and her neighbors have a hospital like Margaretville. The Fleischmanns resident and owner of the Breezy Hill Inn said that healthcare professionals at the Margaretville Hospital have twice saved her life. The first time was when she suffered a bee sting and went into anaphylactic shock, and the second time was more recently when she suffered a pulmonary embolism.

“Margaretville Hospital is a very important institution to the community,’’ she said. “It’s really critical for us to continue to have that service.’’

Michelle said that she had passed out in the shower and the fall caused her to break several bones in her foot. A physician’s assistant was able to administer medication to slow Michelle’s heart rate, and she was transferred to Westchester Medical Center for further treatment.

Michelle, who lives part time in New York City, said not only was Westchester Medical Center convenient but the care she received was stellar.

“I chose to go down to Westchester Medical Center because it was close to my doctors in the city. I was very well taken care of in the ambulance going down. The physician’s assistant in the ER was fabulous. He reached out to my cardiologist and his diagnosis was spot on. I’ve never seen an ER like that. I couldn’t get over all the monitors and all the people.’’

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Gregory’s Story: Saugerties Man Makes Miracle Comeback after Battle with COVID-19

For Gregory Roque of Saugerties who spent 72 days at HealthAlliance Hospital after his battle with COVID-19, he is grateful for the dedication of doctors, nurses and staff who kept him alive.

“People said ‘You are a miracle.’ I had a 10 percent chance of making it, and I did,’’ he said. “A lot of that had to do with the care I received.’’

Raised in Colorado, the part-time rancher, retired police officer and ex-military man lost his foot in a motorcycle accident 10 years ago, but he said that was nothing compared to his bout with COVID-19. Gregory said that not only did hospital staff do a miraculous job treating him, but they served as a lifeline to family and friends who could not visit because of COVID-19 restrictions.

He formed a special bond with one of the nurses in the Intensive Care Unit who kept his family informed.

“I credit doctors, nurses, for absolutely saving my life,’’ he said. “I would not be here today if it wasn’t for their skill and dedication. They texted my seven siblings with updates daily and that was critical to keeping my family sane.

Roque is back at his job as a manufacturing manager and said that he and his wife still keep in touch with the ICU nurse.

“I’ve made friendships I will cherish for the rest of my life,’’ he said.

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Kaylee’s Story: Newburgh Family Happy with Treatment of Three-Year-Old Daughter at MidHudson Regional Hospital

Megan Mata of Newburgh and her husband Gerardo were concerned when their three-and-a-half-year-old daughter Kaylee was having difficulty breathing. They tried saline treatments with a nebulizer, but when Kaylee’s breathing continued to get worse, they took her to the Maria Fareri Children’s Services at MidHudson Regional Hospital.

“I was super impressed,” said Megan, a second-grade teacher in Newburgh schools. “They took her back immediately and were very attentive.” Megan said that doctors recognized that Kaylee was having an asthmatic reaction, and even though she had never had asthma, the shortness of breath was triggered by seasonal allergies. She said Kaylee was admitted and received treatments every two hours.

“We got the best care, honestly. The triage nurse and the respiratory therapist were amazing with Kaylee,’’ said Megan. “Kaylee even asked ‘Can we go back because that place is epic!’ ” 

Now when Kaylee has a coughing episode, Megan and her husband, know just what to do. “The education aspect was really important,’’ Megan said. She said her family will definitely come back to Maria Fareri Children’s Services at MidHudson Regional Hospital again if Kaylee or her new baby brother Jason are ill.

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Charlene’s Story: Grateful for Bon Secours Personalized Care

For Charlene Trotter, a resident of Port Jervis, the personalized care she and her husband receive at Bon Secours Community Hospital makes all the difference.

“A hospital like ours is not something all communities have,” said Charlene. “My husband and I are continuously impressed with the high-quality, personalized care the Bon Secours doctors and nurses provide. I also love that our healthcare staff are our neighbors—the same people we wave to on the street. When I think of an organization where my support can make an impact, I think of our local hospital!”

Join Charlene and show your gratitude at Give.WMCHealth.org/BSCH.

Share your story at InfoBSCH@wmhealth.org.

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Sophia’s Story: Eight-Year-Old Sophia Thriving after Heart Surgery

For 8-year-old Sophia Pinto, the skill of pediatric surgeons at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital made it possible for her to live a full and active life and be the bubbly and happy child she is today.

A third-grader at Matthew Patterson Elementary School in Carmel, Sophia loves to draw, sing, and play with her baby dolls, says mom Christina. But, she added, “It has been some journey.”

Sophia’s journey started before she was born when 16 weeks into her mother’s pregnancy doctors discovered that her heart was not developing properly. Because the right side of her heart was malformed, Sophia had to overcome some serious challenges that began with open heart surgery when she was just one-week old. Another surgery followed at three months old, and a third surgery in 2017 when Sophia was three and a half years old.

 “We really didn’t expect her to survive, said Christina. “Since her third surgery, a new child has emerged. It’s truly a miracle.”

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Syndi’s Story: Suffern Resident is Giving Back to Good Samaritan after Husband’s Cancer Treatment

Syndi Bergstein was so grateful for the wonderful care her husband received during his treatment for cancer that she is giving back to help other patients at Good Samaritan Hospital. The Suffern resident has gifted more than 20 of her elaborately designed quilts to patients at the hospital’s Bobbi Lewis Cancer Center.

“I was amazed when I came for treatment, I left with a lovely quilt. This generous gift is a welcome surprise during such a hard time in my life,” said patient William Skerry, who received one of Syndi’s quilts.

To Syndi, whose two daughters were born at Good Samaritan, giving back just made sense.

“To give to someone in need, to help a patient going through a tough time, is more meaningful than selling my quilts for any amount of money,” said Syndi, who urged others to follow her example and give to the hospital.

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