Gratitude For The Extraordinary Care of Our Mother
I am writing on behalf of my entire family to extend our deepest and most sincere gratitude for the extraordinary care our mother, Marjorie Bednarz, received at your hospital. Her medical journey was filled with both hope and heartbreak, but throughout it all, the level of professionalism, compassion, and humanity displayed by your staff was truly exceptional and unforgettable.
On November 21, 2024, our mother suffered an ischemic stroke. Thanks to the swift action and remarkable skill of Dr. Zetchi and your surgical team, she underwent a successful thrombectomy. The surgery gave us precious time with her that we may not have had otherwise. In the hours and days that followed, Mom remained in the ICU, where she received critical care from a dedicated team of nurses. While every individual we encountered was caring and capable, two nurses in particular—Mary and Breanna—were nothing short of angels. Their attentiveness, warmth, and gentle presence brought a sense of calm to our family during a time of immense fear and uncertainty. We will never forget the way they cared for not just our mother, but for us as well.
Once she was stable enough to begin her recovery, Mom was transferred to 10 East Acute Rehab, where we witnessed what can only be described as the very best of rehabilitative medicine. The therapists and nursing staff there exceeded all of our expectations. They treated Mom with an incredible amount of dignity and respect as she faced the daily challenges of dysphagia and apraxia. These were not easy battles, but your team met them head-on with unwavering support and encouragement.
Among the many dedicated professionals on 10 East, Nurse Indira stood out in a remarkable way. Her clinical excellence, combined with an exceptional bedside manner, had a tremendous impact on Mom’s progress and on our peace of mind. Indira advocated for our mother, cared for her with immense compassion, and ensured that her dignity was preserved at every moment. To our family, she will always be a superhero.
We were incredibly fortunate to bring Mom home on December 12, 2024, where we began what we hoped would be a long road to recovery. Despite a few bumps along the way, she showed incredible strength and resilience. Each day, she seemed to be regaining more of herself—her sense of humor, her spirit, her light.
Tragically, everything changed on February 3, 2025, when she began to suffer from a series of uncontrollable seizures. She was readmitted to the ICU, and over the course of the next seven days, our family was forced to make incredibly difficult decisions. During this time, we were once again met with remarkable care and compassion. We want to thank Dr. Uttara Koul, Nurses Xheni, Jenny, and Breanna, as well as Caitlin, Will, Melissa, Gio, and Jojo for their dedication and tenderness.
Their grace and professionalism guided us through the darkest days of our lives. They were not only attentive to Mom’s medical needs but also sensitive to the emotional weight our family was carrying. Their presence made an unbearable situation just a little more bearable. On February 10, 2025, we made the decision to move Mom to hospice care and begin the heartbreaking journey of saying goodbye.
Although we lost our beloved mother on February 13,2025, we will always be grateful for the time your hospital gave us with her—time where she could smile, speak, and feel surrounded by love. St. Vincent’s made that possible, and for that, we will be forever thankful.
Please extend our heartfelt appreciation to everyone mentioned above, as well as to all the unsung heroes who supported Mom along the way. Their work matters more than words can say.
With deepest gratitude,
Jennifer Tayman
On behalf of the Bednarz Family