Recently, I received a letter from one of the first patients in McLeod County to test positive for COVID-19, Steve Soeffker. Steve has fought a tremendous battle against COVID-19, with many dark, difficult days in his healing journey. Steve is a long-time member of our community, and served as a law enforcement officer in the Glencoe area for most of his career. His significant other, Linda, worked in our billing department for many years, as well. As such, Steve is familiar with our campus – he first interacted with our organization at age 14, when he helped rip up flooring during the first remodel of our original hospital building. However, in April 2020, Steve’s familiarity with our organization reached a new level. While preparing to celebrate his first birthday after COVID-19, Steve wrote me a letter of thanks for our role in his healing. As a milestone in this continued fight against COVID-19, Steve has given us permission to share his thoughtful words with you. Thank you, Steve – it has been our organization’s honor to care for you.
Patty Henderson, MBA, BSN
President & CEO
Patty,
I am Steve Soeffker, Linda Lindberg’s “other half,” and I guess around GRH, I’m known as the “COVID Kid.” As I am approaching my “first” birthday, I thought I’d share with you how my past 12 months have been. I am not going to name any names. There are far too many people who are responsible for me being here and guiding me to a path of recovery, and I don’t want to miss anyone. Let’s just say if I could, I’d put a halo above the campus and attach a set of wings.
“It was so gratifying to see that Steve had beaten the odds and overcame such a critical illness,” said Mitch Palmer, MD, the provider who cared for Steve during his ED visit. “Often in emergency medicine we do not get to see patients in a follow-up. It really was a special moment to see him again.”
On April 2, 2020, my life as I knew it took a drastic turn. COVID-19 hit me and hit me hard. Somewhere around 4 a.m. (not sure…I kind of “wasn’t there”), I was transported to GRH where I was met by an outstanding team – a life-saving team to be sure. I was later told by the ER provider, Dr. Palmer, that we carried on a “social” conversation. I guess I even made sense. I must have been relaxed with my surroundings and felt safe.
It didn’t take long for the GRH team to evaluate my condition and take the needed steps to save my life. Arrangements were made to transport me to Abbott Northwest Hospital. Some people would say, “Sure, they shipped him out because they couldn’t help him.” WRONG ANSWER, folks! The staff made the unselfish and life-saving choice to step up and step back to save my life. I was admitted on April 2 and remember nothing until I saw a calendar as I was moved from the ICU to a private room at Abbott. I lost 21 days before I was aware of my surroundings, but because of the quick, caring action of GRH staff, I’m here to celebrate my “first” birthday.
After my release from Abbott on May 15, 2020, I have been admitted to GRH on two occasions. I have also visited at least one area of the facility each week since then to continue my care and recovery. I feel the Glencoe area is more than lucky to have a medical facility close by as a valued part of the community. It was proven to me that EVERYONE I encountered went above and beyond their mission, and dare I say comfort zone, just to keep me around a little longer. A good example of this is when I was readmitted to GRH.
“Seeing Steve again was one of those special moments that doesn’t come along all the time,” – Paul, RN.
Early one morning, a nurse came to my room and said Paul wanted to see me. The name was not familiar to me, but I figured what the heck! Shortly after, a different nurse came into my room and introduced himself as Paul, an ER nurse who was on duty when I was initially admitted on April 2.
Paul told me that the last time he saw me, he wasn’t sure if I was going to make it. He had come to visit me, because he wanted to see how I was doing. (Click here to read about Paul’s experience.) That has been the norm when I am dealing with GRH staff. People I don’t know come up to me, greet me, and ask how I am doing and if there is anything they can do for me. EVERYONE – from professional, medical, support staff, building services, and housekeeping have been more than kind and supportive of my journey.
In my 25 years in law enforcement, I often worked with GRH. Whether it was from an accident, responding to a medical at a residence, caring for my own medical needs, calming a combative
patient, having lunch with Linda, or providing in-service training for staff, I felt I was acquainted with the medical profession.
After April 2, I have a whole new respect and admiration for the medical community.
So, there it is. A letter of compliments. Thanks. Comfort. Relief. Not a single complaint. When I am told by a staff member that I was not expected to survive the move from the GRH ER to the helicopter, yet here I am, writing this letter to honor my “First Birthday,” it is a true testament to the COMPLETE TEAM at GLENCOE REGIONAL HEALTH. How blessed we are having this facility in our neighborhood! If not for faith in God and the GRH team, I would be just a memory.
Thank you for your time, Patty, and thank you for your leadership.
Steve “COVID Kid” Soeffker
