Recovered COVID-19 patient Lusia Garcia, 29, returned to Medical City Las Colinas to thank the healthcare heroes who cared for her, one year after being admitted to the hospital.
Garcia, from Arlington, was admitted to Medical City Las Colinas on March 29, 2020 after fighting a lingering fever and difficulty breathing for several days. She was placed on a ventilator for three days before improving and eventually allowing for her discharge, to the cheers of her caregivers.
Caregivers presented Garcia with flowers and reflected on caring for Lusia, one of the first COVID-19 patients at Medical City Las Colinas to be discharged at the start of the pandemic.
“When we were able to take her off the breathing machine, we felt so happy that she made it,” says Samer Fahoum, MD, Medical City Las Colinas ICU Medical Director.
Garcia brought treats for physicians, nurses and Medical City Las Colinas colleagues, expressing gratitude for the compassionate caregivers who helped saved her life. She poignantly recalls a nurse calming her when she was most frightened and holding her hand in comfort, like family.
“Because of you guys I got to see my little girl grow up and I got to see my family again,” Garcia told the staff, through tears. “Thank you for your hard work and long hours. I will always be grateful.”
Across Medical City Healthcare, about 15,500 COVID-19 patients were treated in 2020.
