Rhonda Wilkins with Priya Krishnasamy, MD, left, and Morgan Ryan, RN, CHPN.
Rhonda Wilkins lost her brother, Grady, on January 8 due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other illnesses, but she warmly recalls his waning days in the Intensive Care Unit at The Mount Sinai Hospital.
“He was treated with dignity, care, patience and the utmost respect,” she says. She commends Robert Hiensch, MD; Priya Krishnasamy, MD; and Morgan Ryan, RN, CHPN, for their support and compassion.
“Dr. Hiensch sat down with me every day. His explanations and advice were always honest and straightforward—I knew he had my brother’s best interests at heart. Dr. Krishnasamy and Morgan answered all my questions with reassurance and compassion and let me know what I might expect on any given day. When we made the final decisions for Grady, they stayed by my side until they felt I was OK. Grady was transferred to the Palliative Care Unit, where he died peacefully. I was able to get through this difficult time because they were there for me.”
Rhonda was touched by the empathy of the entire team. “Everyone spoke so kindly to my brother. Despite his being unable to respond, they treated him as if he could. This was the most amazing experience I have had at a hospital, anywhere.”