Recognizes Heroes, Guardian Angels

To The Editor:
All too often people will write and complain about health care providers and the care they receive. It is rare that we hear about the “guardian angels” or the heroes we encounter who help save lives.
On Feb. 23, I had a serious car accident in which my SUV rolled over and landed on the driver’s side. I was trapped and unable to move. It was nearly a half hour before a woman who passed by found me after I hit my panic button. She talked to me until the police and EMTs got there and assured me that my SUV was not going to catch on fire. Hey, when you’re in that situation all kinds of thoughts go through your mind.
My heroes in EMTS, Chris Martino and John Donahue arrived and immediately started to help. It was nearly another hour that went by before the fire company was able to extricate me and I was transported to the Trauma Center.
John Donahue, whom I watched grow up as a Medical Explorer with the rescue squad before he became an EMT, was now treating me as his patient. I was the Exploring Commissioner for the Boy Scouts and the Learning for Life Explorers program with SNJ Council. I never thought I would see the day when one of my Explorers would grow up and “save my life.”
Both of these EMTs excelled in their mannerism and professionalism, and even though they knew me, they were able to go above and beyond the call of duty and get the job done.
TJ Baldt and Debbie Hinkel were the medics that treated me on that horrible day and truly were “guardian angels” that got me through one of the most difficult moments of my life — needless to say I felt every last bit of that accident.
Although everyone I encountered at the trauma center for the four days I was there gave me excellent, remarkable care, it was the pre-hospital care I received from Middle Township EMTS and the AtlantiCare Paramedics who treated me and helped me get out of that SUV that stands out the most in my mind. People rarely remember the EMT crew that takes care of them when they are at their worst. Everyone, from the woman who found me, to the EMTs, paramedics, fire company, police, trauma team, doctors, nurses and all hospital staff, thank you sincerely for helping me and for making the world a better place with the work that you do helping others. You are all truly a blessing.
DARLENE WHELAN-OEHLERT Court House