Response to "The Gift of a Recommendation" - Speak from the Heart

I may be one of the members whose recommendations are too brief. After reading, “The Gift of a Recommendation” I would like to now expand upon my recommendations here. Recommendations should be words from the heart and I realize mine were simple words without much depth. They were positive but without much strength.

Imagine receiving a call that your loved has just been brought to the hospital after a 911 call from a doctor’s office because they think “he is having a heart attack.” The shock and disbelief are insurmountable. Your mind begins to race wondering if your loved one is going to die, you wonder how fast you can get to the hospital knowing that you need to face the traffic on the George Washington Bridge. You begin wondering if you’ll get there in time, hoping and praying everything is okay.

Finally you arrive in the ER; traffic on the GWB wasn’t horrific, thankfully. You see your loved one in the room in the ER. Seeing him lying there as a patient, it is devastating. He is helpless; he isn’t the upbeat active person that you’re used to. You know he is in good hands; as an RN, you scanned the ER looking for any signs that would make you think otherwise.

An angiogram is needed; you follow your loved one up to the Cath lab and the thought that is going through your head is “who’s the cardiologist that’s going to do this invasive procedure?” Well, here’s where your level of anxiety as a family member begins to lessen. Dr. Issam Moussa is not only an incredibly capable cardiologist who performs many angiograms, but when he speaks to you about your loved one you can tell he is a compassionate and caring person. He explains everything, and treats your loved one with respect and compassion. Dr. Moussa keeps you updated on his condition. Being in the hospital whether you are a patient or family member can be frightening and overwhelming; having a doctor that truly cares and helps relieve the fear of the unknown is huge. Dr. Moussa answers all your questions. Even if you ask them in three different ways each time, he listens and answers with warmth.

Envision now that after the angiogram you’re told your loved one needs open heart surgery. Those words are also hard to comprehend. Now, you begin wondering, “who is the heart surgeon that will be operating on your loved one?” Once you meet Dr. Salemi you know your loved one is in great hands. Not only is Dr. Salemi a capable surgeon and incredibly intelligent, his demeanor speaks a thousand words. He is polite and caring. He treats his patients with compassion and respect. He is thorough in all of his explanations and he also answers your questions even if you ask them three different ways. He’s passionate and caring, which makes the difference between good and great.

Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA

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