Our Thanks Go Out

My early memories of the hospital go back about 60 years (I know I am giving my age away) to the then New Haven Hospital. My parents received all their medical attention through the various clinics that the hospital offered at that time, as no one in my family had their own private physician. I had an older sister who was born with congenital heart problems. Dr. Glenn was her cardiologist, and my parents knew that he was the best heart specialist in the state. I can remember going to the pediatric clinic for her visits. I couldn't wait: the clinic had everything to keep a child amused, from coloring to reading to paper dolls. It was very bright and well decorated so that children would feel comfortable and at ease while waiting for their parents to meet with the doctors. Dr. Glenn followed my sister for many years and helped her cope with all of her medical problems. As an adult, she was the patient of Dr. Richard Fearon, her own cardiologist. During her lifetime she had three major open-heart surgeries performed by many Yale-New Haven surgeons who spearheaded the early days of that specialty. My sister passed away over 20 years ago at the age of 50, but I know that without the dedicated staff of the hospital and the many physicians that touched her life she would not have lived as long or as normal a life.

Since her passing my life has been touched many times by the hospital. My daughter was born with severe immunity deficiency and spent many years either in the hospital or being treated by Dr. John Dwyer of the Immunology Clinic. His dedication and that of his staff has sustained her life, as limited as it is. Through all of this something good did happen: I am a proud founding parent of the Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut, which has an ongoing relationship with the Children's Hospital to provide a "home away from home" for families whose children are receiving treatment at local health facilities.

Again, my life was touched by the hospital when, nine years ago, my granddaughter was born eight weeks premature and spent several months in the Newborn Special Care Unit. What would we have done without Dr. Richard Ehrenkranz who supported us all during those trying times? Then, on October 10th, 2000 twins were delivered - Brianna and Anthony - seven weeks early, and our thanks went out again to the Newborn Special Care Unit. As the twins approach their first birthday, I realize Yale-New Haven Hospital has touched my entire family. Thanks to all of your staff, our family remains healthy. We know that in any emergency we have a hospital that we can rely on to service our many medical needs.

Claire DiMartino
Ronald McDonald House