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PodcastStories of Gratitude
Read some incredible stories of gratitude from UPMC Pinnacle patients below. If your life has been impacted by a UPMC Pinnacle caregiver, please join us in lifting these selfless individuals up and recognizing them for their kindness, skill, and compassion.
Melinda Smalley Honors Jen Burkey at UMPC Community Osteopathic, Endoscopy 1st floor
“She treated me with dignity and respect. Nurses like Jen are the reason I will continue to choose UPMC.”
Nurse Jen was kind, caring, and compassionate. She recognized how scared I was prior to my procedure. She went above and beyond to follow my care throughout my stay. She gave me extra time when I needed it. I never felt rushed, unwanted, or a burden. She treated me with dignity and respect. Nurses like Jen are the reason I will continue to choose UPMC.
Katie Flake Honors Dr. Amer Zureikat at Surgical Oncology
“Dr. Zureikat gave us 3 years with our dad/husband that we didn’t think we would get. We soaked in every single moment in those 3 years. We are indebted to Dr. Z forever!!”
Our dad had the privilege of having Dr. Zureikat as his Oncology surgeon in December of 2021. Dad had pancreatic cancer and underwent the Whipple surgery. Dr. Zureikat was AMAZING!! He was so kind. He was so thoughtful. He was so skilled. He made us feel safe with him as our heads were spinning with Dad’s diagnosis.
Lauren Zalesky Honors Dr. Naomi Whittaker at UPMC Divine Mercy Women's Health
“Dr. Whittaker did two fertility surgeries for me and we conceived after two years of infertility. Now we’re on our third pregnancy!”
So many OBGYNs push birth control and IVF but she actually treated my issues so we can be healthy and have the family of our dreams.
Elizabeth Wichert Honors Dr. Naomi Whittaker at UPMC Divine Mercy Womens Health
“Dr. Whittaker is truly a miracle worker and I can’t thank her and her team enough! They helped make our dreams come true. Her commitment to promoting women’s health and preserving fertility is unmatched.”
Dr. Whittaker was the most caring, empathetic, knowledgeable and committed physician I have ever met. After experiencing severe menstrual pain for 15 + years, meeting with countless doctors who provided no answers and a diagnosis of “unexplained infertility”, Dr. Whittaker quickly suspected endometriosis and performed my excision surgery. I experienced relief from pain and became pregnant naturally soon after. She and her team of midwives monitored my pregnancy through the first trimester and provided me progesterone monitoring and treatment throughout my pregnancy. I now have a healthy baby boy!
Marian Newhouse Honors Entire staff at UPMC Harrisburg hospital and Simpson Rehab
“Thank you for saving my husband's life!”
Thank you to the medical staff from Harrisburg hospital for saving my husbands life and Simpson rehab after stay at Harrisburg hospital. At the very start of Covid 3 years ago
Shannon Mason Honors Jacob Diehl at Community General /ER
“I applaud you! And I'm thankful for ALL that they do!”
This late evening, early morning ER experience was very colorful to say the least. I was in the ER with my mother whom had taken a fall and sustained some injuries. Being an employee in the system, and a nurse at that, I'm well aware of patient encounter and how it is to be conducted. The Community General ER staff in totality was absolutely stellar! From check-in to check-out my mother received such great care, and the fact that it was a full waiting room, with seamless transition, made our experience less stressful. Yet the icing on the cake was how Dr. Jacob Diehl cared for and interacted with my mother. His care was very thorough, even as she attempted to downplay her injuries, he gently conducted the full assessment that was warranted (again, I'm a nurse). I like not sharing that I am a nurse because I get to experience the real deal. And Dr. Jacob Diehl and all of the staff that was on duty 9/18/23 from 9:30PM-2:45AM... I applaud you! And I'm thankful for ALL that they do!