Former Patient Reunites With Lower Keys Medical Center Care Team

7/1/2021

In January of 2020, Tracey Dunnell was rushed to the ER at Lower Keys Medical Center and was admitted to intensive care unit where she was intubated and on a ventilator for 8 days.

Tracey, her mother Marge, and her daughter Jaylynn came back to the Keys in June to visit with and thank some of her caregivers, including John Bandura, director of respiratory therapy and lab; Sean McGrath, RN, intensive care unit; Dr. Joe Paprota, pulmonologist; Lori Davidson, respiratory therapist; Amy Dees, respiratory therapist; Grace Kim, respiratory therapist; and Angelina Ashler, director of ICU.

"They were phenomenal with the care they gave - not just to myself but to my mother. As much as they took care of me, they took care of her, making sure she ate, rested, and found accommodations. From the minute I came to, I could see the care that they were giving her," Tracey said. "You have to understand, the gift of gab is my thing, but I couldn't communicate. Sean got some papers with letters and emotions on it for me to write on. I could barely hold a pen. Amy had them laminated and got me a dry eraser. That gave me the communication that I needed. That was huge. I don't know if people would understand what that meant to me. Everybody went above and beyond. Before I left, when I was transferred out of ICU, the staff came down to see me. It was like a family."

Recognizing the challenges faced by patients who are unable to communicate, Respiratory Therapist Amy Dees purchased and donated communication boards to be used by the hospital, in honor of Tracey.

(left to right) John Bandura, Director of Respiratory Therapy and Lab; Sean McGrath, RN, Intensive Care Unit; Tracey Dunnell, Jaylyn Dunnell, Dr. Joe Paprota, Pulmonologist; Lori Davidson, Respiratory Therapist; Amy Dees, Respiratory Therapist; Marge Dunnell; Grace Kim, Respiratory Therapist; Angelina Ashler, Director of ICU.

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