April 20, 2008

My husband, Ron, had to spend the last weekend of March in your facility.  We were so very pleased with the care given.  Dr. Brunswick (ER) and Dr. Kahn were exceptional.  The ER and 3rd floor nurses, especially Nurse Bob showed respect, care and a great sense of humor.  Everybody we came into contact with were helpful and kind.  We've told friends that if a person gets sick someplace other than their hometown, let it happen in Klamath Falls where the nicest hospital is: Sky Lakes Medical Center.

Sincerely,

Marci and Ron Sather
Springfield, Oregon


July 10, 2007

I have visited our new hospital a few times recently.  I am delighted by the Sky Lakes Medical Center interior.  Well done, indeed.

I really like the new meditation room.  The design compliments the organic décor of the rest of the hospital and has an appropriately calming, centering, intimate feel.  The garden view gives one the feeling of being in nature and the garden’s water feature is lovely and provides privacy.

The room has no overwhelming religious iconography that could be distractive, off-putting, or objectionable to some, even some Christians.  In a diverse community, the absence of a cross is appropriate.

Though Christians are in the majority, we might remember we were once a persecuted minority and are still in some parts of the world. Let’s offer others what we request when we are in the majority, acceptance and tolerance.

Christians best reflect the teaching and faith of Jesus by refusing to use numerical advantage to dominate.  Christians are inclusive and accept those of other traditions because that’s the way Jesus lived.

The lovely, quiet room in the hospital might remind us of those facts.

The Rev. Dr. Larry Bunnell
Klamath Falls

(Published in the Letters to the editor section of the Herald and News July 10, 2007)

June 4, 2007

Dear Mr. Stewart:

Three members of my immediate family, including myself, have been treated at your Klamath Falls, OR facility within the last year.  My mother received excellent care during her illness last winter and my father also received excellent care following his surgery and subsequent pneumonia last month.  While I was staying in Klamath Falls to be near my hospitalized father I had the unfortunate experience of becoming very ill.  My sister took me to the Emergency Department in the middle of the night.  I was treated with competence and kindness.  I can’t say enough great things about Dr. Epple in the ER, Dave the X-ray tech and Paul my nurse.  Dr. Epple diagnosed my illness quickly and treated it aggressively.  I felt I was in very competent hands even though I was so far from home and my own doctor.

The doctors and nurses who took care of my father are exceptional!  Nurses Sharon and Anna both particularly went out of their way to see his comfort and to visiting family members as well.  We had a very similar experience when my mother was hospitalized in Klamath Falls as well.  My sister is an emergency room nurse in the Seattle area.  She is very picky about the care extended to our family members.  All of her expectations were met and exceeded.  Your staff accomplished the almost impossible feat of impressing her.

Long story short – you have an amazing facility with amazing staff.  The new facility is gorgeous and I’m sure will be comfortable for staff as well as patients.  Thank you so much for the excellent care extended to me and my family members.  It is my sincere wish that you will pass this letter on to your staff at Sky Lakes Medical Center in Klamath Falls.

Sincerely,

JoAnn Pepperdine

~comment received from an Emergency 
Department patient who was traveling 
in the region

April 20, 2007

While I was filling out the questionnaire regarding a recent day surgery, I felt it appropriate to also tell you of the very positive, professional experience I recently had while being seen at the Diagnostic Imaging Department of the hospital.

I completed the cardio stress test and I cannot speak highly enough of the staff who worked with me those two days.  Due to a minor equipment problem I was delayed initially, but staff came to the waiting room and personally kept me apprised of the situation; it never did seem like “waiting”.  Their professionalism, teamwork, and positive attitude were impressive, and I observed them giving other folks the same type of attention and interest.

I certainly appreciated having them there when I needed this testing and yes, I would recommend that others have this testing done locally, because of this staff.

Marcy Kelly

"During the last two years my husband underwent two surgeries, the second one performed by Dr. Karl Wenner at Sky Lakes Medical Center.

It was a difficult time for our family, and the sincere concern displayed by Dr. Wenner and this office staff became immediately apparent. The immediate office response was one of genuine concern and professionalism. Always our calls were answered in a timely manner. Dr Wenner spent extra time and his office personnel made individual efforts to help us.

My husband’s unusual condition led us to Oregon Health and Sciences in Portland, a speedy referral to Dr. Traci Ryan back here, and eventually a visit to the University of California at Davis.

Neurologists at UC Davis specifically commented that my husband’s records and course of treatment was “the best” that had passed through the UC Davis neurology department. The praises focusing on Dr. Wenner’s and Dr. Ryan’s practices confirmed our belief that Klamath Falls and Sky Lakes Medical Center offer the highest quality of health care available. It is care that reflects true personal concern.

We are now convinced that we never should have sought medical treatment elsewhere. Klamath Falls offers “the best.”

~from an April 2005 letter to 
Paul Stewart, Sky Lakes Medical Center President and CEO

Following are among the comments received from recently discharged patients:

“Your nurses are wonderful, caring people.”

“The doctors there have always been great and always took the time to explain to me in words I was sure to understand.”

“Thank you for the excellent care and a cheerful recovery process.”

“Everyone was very gentle, kind, and concerned. They were great.”

“The woman who helped me in Registration was very friendly and help us by answering all our questions even though she was very busy.”

“I couldn’t ask for better care or service. Thanks.”

“Nobody ever really wants to be in the hospital, but your staff worked hard to make my stay as enjoyable an experience as they could.”