“It takes a special person to reach somebody and calm their storm.”
Colonial Heights, VA
– What was supposed to be a quiet Tuesday evening at home for the Gunder family of Colonial Heights, turned out to be a life changing trip to Southside Emergency Care Center (SECC). Misty Gunder was concerned about her 17 year old son, Justin, and his recent weight loss and trips to the bathroom late at night. Her husband was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 1996 so she is familiar with the warning signs. When an at home blood sugar test registered levels off the charts they rushed to Southside Emergency Care Center in Colonial Heights.
“It was devastating to think he may have diabetes because he’s about to head off to college” said Misty. As they arrived at SECC they were registered and within 2 minutes were sent to triage. From there they were shown to an exam room where they met Delbert “Boo” Garrett, RN.
Boo has been with the Southside team since 2008 where he started at SRMC’s ER, then Cath Lab and is now an ER nurse at SECC. He says when Justin came in, “I knew how he felt. I’m also a diabetic and I wanted to give him the support and reassurance I didn’t have when I was diagnosed.” Boo believes treating patients like they’re family is the key to compassionate care at SECC.
SECC Director of Emergency Care Jane Burnette, MSN, RN, CEN, said that, “I’m very fortunate to have Boo at SECC. He embodies the practice of treating patients as we would want to be treated.”
Misty said it was Boo’s great personality, honesty and compassion that helped her family. Misty says, “He made us feel like we were his #1 priority and was such a breath of fresh air.” According to Misty, “It takes a special person to reach somebody and calm their storm.”
After receiving treatment at SECC, the Gunders were referred to a local endocrinologist to continue Justin’s care and diagnosis of his condition. While the family is still awaiting the results, they are glad that SECC was there to help them through that night. The staff at SECC wishes Justin well as he finalizes his college plans and begins his future in Cyber Security. They thank the family for choosing Southside Emergency Care Center at Colonial Heights.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency call 9-1-1.