News

December 2019 Patient Experience Highlight

Published Date:

SIU Medicine’s December 2019 patient experience highlight recognizes Sandra Ettema, MD, Department of Otolaryngology.

Informing patients and their families of a terminal illness is not something that most of us would think about daily. For our providers, that is a different story. Dr. Ettema received a card in the mail last month from a patient’s family. In the card was a letter describing the meaning of this patient to the family but most impressively, the gratitude and appreciation shown to Dr. Ettema for her kindness in the delivery of the news and explanation of the diagnosis of cancer.

The letter and card, which were signed by all members of the family, stated “Taking the time away from your family to stay with her while we traveled to be there after the confirmation diagnosis was above and beyond anything most, if not all, doctors would have done. You are truly a phenomenal human being. Please thank your family for sharing their time with our family”.

More from SIU News

SIU Medicine

Finishing strong: 2020-25 Strategic Plan Progress Report

A new progress report has been published to outline the accomplishments that reflect the resilience, innovation and unwavering commitment of our entire SIU Medicine community.
Ebru Demir

Ebru Demir, MSc, PhD: Exploring the brain’s blueprint for connection

In the early hours of a summer morning in 1999, a massive earthquake struck the city of Adapazarı, Turkey, killing more than 17,000 people and leaving nearly half a million homeless. Among those lost
Mentor of the Year Kent Arnold

Class of 2028 honors mentors

Each year, SIU medical students nominate exemplary care providers who give them professional assistance during the first year of study in Carbondale. The Class of 2028 recently selected a pair of