THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, July 19, 1994 TAG: 9407190007
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 30 lines
From time to time, I have read carping letters from disgruntled patrons of the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth.
I feel it is necessary to share my personal experience at that truly superlative hospital.
My wife of 48 years died at Portsmouth Naval Medical Center in May as the result of a sudden cardiac accident. She was a patient in the critical-care unit there for four days. During those four stressful days and nights, I witnessed the highest standards of professionalism.
In addition, my family and I were treated with great empathy and the most understanding sympathy one can imagine, going far beyond the expected.
The corpsmen, nurses and physicians were constantly willing to explain and to help in the most compassionate way.
Needless to say, during this overwhelmingly unhappy time, their attitude made our lives more bearable.
Every person on the staff has earned my undying gratitude.
FRANK L. KIRBY
Portsmouth, July 5, 1994 by CNB