NW Indiana ER & Hospital

I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the level of compassionate care I received during my July 4th visit to your facility. From the first point of contact made (via phone) to my discharge, I felt seen and felt like I, for the first time, was treated like a human being and not just a case in a hectic, busy ER.

Just six days prior to my visit, I gave birth to our rainbow baby. During this time, the fear of making any missteps regarding my care or the care of my newborn baby was almost crippling. I am acutely aware of the complications that women face when they don't receive proper prenatal and postpartum care. Furthermore, I know that women of color are 3-4x more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications and that, statistically, a disproportionate number of women who look like me don't make it home after giving birth. I carried all of these vulnerabilities, fears and burdens into your facility the night I received care and to be met with such patient-centered gentleness and kindness made all the difference to me and our little family.

The cleanliness of your facility put me at ease as well. Knowing that I could bring my exclusively breast-fed newborn into the ER with me and didn't have to worry about the usual chaos and health risks that plague traditional ERs was so comforting.

In short, I want to say thank you to everyone who cared for me. From your receptionist who talked to me on the phone and reassured me I would be well taken care of and that my teeny baby could come with me and be safe and healthy, to Chona who nailed my IV placement with minimal pain, to the ultrasound tech who was so sympathetic and compassionate, offering warm blankets and allowing me to get a few minutes of much needed rest during my scan, to Matt, who introduced himself on a first-name basis and was so personable and kind in reassuring that I would be well taken care of. Thank you all. For breaking barriers that normally hinder people from receiving life-saving healthcare - especially in a world fraught with fear surrounding COVID.

And an honorable mention to the young man who brought my husband and I snacks because, well, hangriness is a thing.

I was literally brought to tears that night, thanking God for ordering my steps and leading me to your facility. I won't hesitate to recommend you all to everyone I know with full confidence that, when they do need care during their most physically and emotionally vulnerable moments, they will be in good hands with you all.

I pray for the safety and well-being of all of your staff and the continued success of your beautiful facility as you continue to bring compassion and humanity back to the ER experience.