It is nice to see that Kenmore Mercy Hospital recently broke ground on what will be a new emergency department that will nearly double the size of the existing space and include state-of-the-art services.
Growing up in north Buffalo, Kenmore Mercy was always my family’s hospital of choice. My three children were born there. There has always been something special about the hospital.
The care has always been good, but it was comforting to know that while a patient, there were prayers being said by sisters, and now by chaplains and permanent deacons. When my brother was in the hospital with a very serious illness, the permanent deacon assigned to the hospital ministry made it a point to tell me he was praying for him every day.
Whenever we would visit any family or friends admitted to the hospital, we would always try to go to the chapel and offer prayers for all concerned.
It is a place where staff and volunteers are eager to help in any way they can. It is a place where there is a sense of the best physical care, but also a place where spiritual care is also important.
I had another chance to experience care at Kenmore Mercy when a family member was recently admitted. The problem was heart related so we were taken into the emergency room quickly. Doctors and nurses were especially comforting in their care.
They did more than just the physical procedures necessary. They kept us informed in a way that helped bring some peace to the situation.
A number of tests had to be administered to further determine the problem. People who set up the monitors and machines were professional, caring and helped put us at ease during a very stressful time.
It was the same once out of emergency care and admitted to a room. At a very difficult time, nurses and caregivers displayed the wisdom of Solomon in knowing when to give a comforting and reassuring word or when they were giving instructions on what needed to be done.
Another nice extra was the morning prayer and Scripture reading which came over the sound system.
Care at the hospital won’t be interrupted during work on the new emergency department. The new facility will feature high tech, centrally-located nurses stations that will expedite care and improve the work environment for doctors and nurses. Medical conditions will be able to be monitored even more closely.
The current emergency department dates back to the hospital’s opening in 1951, with some expansions and modernization projects along the way. The new emergency department is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2013.
Couple all the benefits and innovative technology of the new emergency department with the care, concern and spirituality the hospital already claims and Kenmore Mercy will be in great shape to serve people for the next 60 years.
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