Jennifer Smith loves working at WakeMed and has lived the core Wake Way mission for nearly 20 years. Spending much of her career in Women’s and Children’s Services, she is currently the WakeMed Mothers’ Milk Bank Logistics Representative.
With a passion for working with her WakeMed family and taking care of patients, Jennifer felt welcomed home during her patient experience at the WakeMed Raleigh Campus. The genuine compassion and unparalleled care she received left her in awe of the unceasing dedication of every employee who lives the Wake Way.
“Everybody makes it clear that we are a team and a family, and we’re going to take care of everybody who walks through our doors. I feel fortunate to be able to work here. It’s clear they put patients first. They talk the talk and walk the walk.”
While Jennifer, too, embodies kindness and composure, when she received her diagnosis, she melted into a terrified patient, overwhelmed by the news and suffering multiple panic attacks.
WakeMed Primary Care
On Monday, December 14th, Dr. Ronald Prucha of WakeMed Primary Care, called to communicate the findings from her recent CT scan. Jennifer had been experiencing severe abdominal pain, and because of her family history of diverticulitis, she was certain this would be her prognosis. Her expectation was that with appropriate medical care, she’d be back to feeling like herself again in no time.
Instead, she was shocked to receive news that she had five potentially cancerous masses in her abdomen and that three were very large. The three large ones, in her pelvic region, were the size of 1.5 footballs. They were pressing against her bladder and bowels and pushing them out of the way.
“This was an extremely difficult phone call to have received. Dr. Prucha was direct and kind and made himself available for follow-up questions — even though, at that point, his assistance was limited due to the nature of the findings needing a specialist referral.”
WakeMed OB-GYN
WakeMed staff wasted no time in getting her in to see a specialist. In the same week, on Friday, December 18th, Jennifer met with Dr. Benjamin White. He discussed treatment options with her and what she could expect post-surgery. She learned that her options were limited because of the size of the masses and that laparoscopic surgery would not be an option. She would need open surgery, a procedure that would leave her with a cesarean-section sized scar.
“I was a hot mess, to say the very least. Yet, Dr. White was calm, steady and patient. He answered my questions at length. During that visit and all subsequent visits, every staff member I encountered was approachable and kind.”
WakeMed Raleigh Campus Surgical Services
Jennifer was scheduled for surgery on January 12th. Prior to surgery, Dr. White had evidence that the masses (diagnosed as teratomas) were most likely non-cancerous, yet she felt understandably overwhelmed by the invasive nature of the upcoming surgery. Once in the pre-op room, Jennifer’s anxiety was uncontrollable.
“I felt like I couldn’t breathe and didn’t want to go through with the procedure. I was terrified, absolutely terrified.”
Her WakeMed team didn’t skip a beat. They immediately went to work assuring her that everything was going to be okay. Tears streaming down, Jennifer recalls the many people that day who demonstrated compassionate care.
“Erin O., my pre-op nurse was incredibly sweet and comforting. She had an amazing bedside presence. Dr. Cunniff, my anesthesiologist, genuinely listened to and eased my fears.”
Once Jennifer was transported into the operating room (OR), she began to regret committing to the procedure and wanted off of the operating room table and out of that room immediately. She was aware that she needed the surgery, but in that moment of flight, she didn’t care.
Jennifer says, “Felice Pete, my CRNA, was responsible for one of the most impactful moments of my life. I was in the throes of a meltdown. It was a combination of anxiety, fear and terror that had consumed my mind over the last month, and it was all about to be put into motion. This CRNA locked eyes with me and talked me through it. It probably lasted a minute before I was ‘out.’ She told me it was going to be okay; they were going to take care of me. The calm conviction of her words, her face — were pure compassion and empathy, and the only things keeping me on that OR table.”
Unmatched Patient Care
Following Jennifer’s successful surgery with Dr. White and resident Dr. Ashley Appiagyei, the gentle care she received continued. She remained in the hospital for two nights.
“My doctors were very thorough and skillful, with excellent bedside manners. My nurses and every staff member who entered my room were all attentive, genuine and sweet.”
On January 13th, Jennifer celebrated her employee anniversary as a patient.
She says, “Looking back, I was proud to have been a patient in this hospital. I received the best care I could have imagined. The compassion of everyone I encountered during my journey was unmatched. Thank you for taking care of me.”
About WakeMed Women’s
WakeMed Women’s newly enhanced services are provided by physicians who specialize in OB-GYN, general surgery, breast surgery, urogynecology, GYN oncology, medical weight loss and bariatrics, primary care, rehab, cardiovascular, diabetes management and imaging — including 2D and 3D mammography and bone density.
We offer a seamless continuum of care for every woman, every family and every stage of life.
