Category Archives: Inspirational Stories

Gene’s Story: My First Choice

“I support Good Sam – and I hope you will too. Their healthcare teams deliver professional, excellent, compassionate care, and the hospital is well equipped to safely provide the services our community needs.” 

Good Samaritan was Gene Cortes’ first choice when he needed surgery. Even though COVID-19 was in news headlines, he said that our staff took every possible precaution to reduce virus transmission, and he felt completely safe here. Gene believes that high-quality local healthcare is more important than ever, and he is grateful to have Good Samaritan close to home. 

Before relocating to Florida, Gene Cortes was a former member of the Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation Board of Directors, owner of International Collision and New City resident.

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

Share your story at InfoBSCH@wmhealth.org.

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Wendy’s Story: New Parkinson’s Treatment at MidHudson Hospital Gives Patient More Freedom

Wendy McCarthy of Millbrook has her life back thanks to a new treatment for Parkinson’s disease that is giving her more personal freedom.

When Wendy, 67, received her diagnosis seven years ago, her doctors prescribed medications to control her symptoms. As the disease progressed, she required larger doses. Due to an unfortunate side effect of the medication, Wendy began experiencing involuntary movement, which made everyday tasks difficult and hindered her ability to travel, something she really enjoys.

Wendy’s care team at MidHudson Regional Hospital recognized she would be a great candidate for deep brain stimulation — surgically implanting electrodes in regions of the brain affected by Parkinson’s. Wendy was the first patient at Westchester Medical Center to have this procedure, which has greatly reduced her symptoms.

“The care I receive at Westchester Medical Center and MidHudson Regional Hospital is phenomenal. The staff at both hospitals work as a team and they have all my information in the system, which makes visits a lot easier. And the best part is I don’t have to go all the way to New York City.”

This treatment has allowed Wendy to continue to travel the world, with plans to visit her family in Greece this spring.

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Donna’s Story: Heart Surgery Results in Happy Ending for Aspiring Actress

Donna James had just retired from her job as an editorial assistant at New York Medical College. After 35 years working at the college, she was looking forward to concentrating on her first love: Acting.

She was looking forward to pursuing her acting career when she noticed she wasn’t feeling quite herself. Donna went for a checkup with her primary physician, who diagnosed her with a rare tumor of the adrenal gland. Donna was referred to a cardiologist at Westchester Medical Center who closely monitored her blood pressure medication so she could safely undergo the removal of the tumor.

Today, Donna, who lives in Ossining, now enjoys the active retirement she dreamed of and thanks her doctors at Westchester Medical Center for giving her a new lease on life.

“I feel really blessed that they caught this,” she says. “Thanks to the care and attention I received, I’m now busy pursuing my dream via community theater. Hollywood here I come!”

In addition to acting, Donna is giving back to Westchester Medical Center Heart and Vascular Institute. She was recently featured as a model at our Girls’ Night Out event, raising funds and awareness for women’s heart health.

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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.”

Please give to Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital today!

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More inspirational stories from Maria Fareri Childrens Hospital:

Miracle Marcos

Marcos at age 4, alongside his parents, Mailyn and Marcos, and his neonatologist, Dr. Melanie…

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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.

Please give to Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital today!

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More inspirational stories from Maria Fareri Childrens Hospital:

Miracle Marcos

Marcos at age 4, alongside his parents, Mailyn and Marcos, and his neonatologist, Dr. Melanie…

Read More