In this letter, a patient’s family shares their appreciation for the care given to their loved on by Denise Li Lue, MD, clinical associate professor of rehabilitation medicine at the UW School of Medicine, and the inpatient rehabilitation team at UW Medical Center – Montlake.
Dear Dr. Lue,
I wanted to take a moment to personally express my deepest gratitude and appreciation for the extraordinary care my stepfather, Philip, received during his stay with the University of Washington Inpatient Rehabilitation team this last month.
When Phil first entered the hospital, he was unable to speak, unable to perform basic motor functions, and our family was facing an incredibly uncertain and emotional situation with the recent diagnosis of GBS. Watching the transformation that occurred through the dedication, expertise, collaboration, and compassion of the rehabilitation team has been nothing short of remarkable. By the time he transferred today to the skilled nursing facility, he was talking up a storm, engaging with everyone around him, sitting up in a wheelchair, and able to feed himself independently. The progress he made gave our family hope during one of the most difficult periods of our lives and awareness that this will be a long (but promising) road to recovery (whatever that may look like).
What stood out most throughout the experience was not only the exceptional clinical care, but also the humanity, teamwork, encouragement, and personal connection demonstrated by every member of the healthcare team. You and the staff created an environment where Phil was treated not simply as a patient, but as a person deserving dignity, humor, motivation, and genuine compassion.
Healthcare professionals often do not get to fully see the long-term impact they make, but I hope you and your team know that your work changed the trajectory of Phil’s recovery and brought comfort and hope to our family during an incredibly vulnerable and uncertain time. We will always remember the outstanding care, encouragement, and humanity your team provided.