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At Carson Tahoe, there are hundreds of success stories. The following are just a few shining examples.
The Merriner Cottages
Ruth Merriner, a long-time Carson City resident, was right beside her husband, Del, as he battled heart disease at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center (CTRMC). Spending many nights on a foldout bed in his hospital room, Ruth saw first-hand the excellent care her husband received.
After her husband passed away, Ruth began to support CTRMC by working with the Carson Tahoe Regional Healthcare Foundation to find a way to honor Del and give back to the hospital that provided such nurturing care. She consulted with her pastor and four children and decided to donate $2 million to create the Merriner Cottages - 15 mini residences where non-local cancer patients and their families can stay during outpatient cancer treatment at Carson Tahoe.
The cottages are primarily for cancer patients, however, if units are available, Carson Tahoe has the discretion to offer housing to other patients and families who are in need.
Mrs. Merriner's cottage crusade did not end with the writing of a generous check. She also rallied additional support from her Soroptomist Club and culled attractive furnishings from her own home and those of several acquaintances. She has even added her own unique handcrafted embroidery to each of the cottages.
The generosity of Carson City's Merriner family created the reality of on-campus housing that uniquely allows patients to remain close while undergoing treatment. The Merriner Cottages are a shining example of the power of giving.
Dr. Irene Vrabel Nursing Scholarships
In 2006, Irene Vrabel, a patient at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center, learned that some of the hospital staff aspired to attend nursing school. Irene, a retired pediatrician, appreciated the benefits of a healthcare career and was saddened to learn some couldn't live their dream because of the costs involved. Irene contacted the CTRH Foundation and expressed her interest in helping some Carson Tahoe employees go to nursing school. A few telephone calls and a meeting or two later and the Dr. Irene Vrabel Nursing Scholarship was establised. The recipients are mostly nursing assistants with a strong desire to become registered nurses.
Thus far, 20 Carson Tahoe employees have benefited from Dr. Vrabel's scholarship.
A Patient's Perspective
Over the years, I've taken on quite a few challenges - the Carson City Chamber of Commerce, the Carson City School District Board, rotary clubs, public service, you name it. I've even competed in a few marathons in my day. But when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year after a routine check up, I was suddenly faced with a new kind of challenge.
At first, I had no idea who to turn to. I talked to friends, family members and the primary care physician who initially raised the red flag. I consulted out-of-state specialists. I researched cancer clinics across the entire country. Eventually, I came to the realization that the care I needed wasn't found halfway around the globe - it was right here in my own backyard.
At Carson Tahoe Regional Healthcare, I discovered some of the finest specialty physicians and healthcare professionals in the country. Through both the Sierra Surgery Center and the Carson Tahoe Cancer Center, they helped me make the right decisions for my health. And thanks to a successful surgery and seven weeks of radiation therapy, I'm proud to say that I'm on the road to full recovery. In fact, two weeks after my final treatment, I competed in a 13-mile half-marathon.
Life is about challenges. I'm eternally grateful to have a first-rate medical center like Carson Tahoe there to help me - and our entire region - to not only face those challenges but also rise above them.
Bob Crowell
Local Resident/Community Supporter/Cancer Survivor
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