Gratitude

In a world where medical care has been compromised significantly by corporate takeovers and the tech world has robbed patients of that direct eye to eye personalization that is invaluable between Doctor and patient I feel blessed that my husband and I have experienced exceptional care with our concierge Doctor, Dr. Paul Smith. Dr. Smith has been there for us during some very trying medical circumstances. He kept us out of the emergency room once by giving us very sound medical advice! He has made himself accessible and responded promptly to our medical questions. His manner of dealing with my husband and I as patients has been very professional while exhibiting a very caring and compassionate demeanor. I have never felt rushed when communicating with Dr. Smith and my questions have been welcomed and answered. If Dr. Smith does not have the answer that I am seeking he will follow-up and get back to me. Unfortunately my husband died in December of 2023 due to being admitted to the hospital after an emergency room visit that turned out to be a nightmare. I wish we had consulted with Dr. Smith before going to the ER but we had been informed that it would take weeks to see a Gastroenterologist and my husbands physical therapist advised us to go to the ER for his gastrointestinal pain. My husband was in a weakened condition after a broken jaw and had just had the wires removed and was very thin and also had a heart condition. However he was on top of the world having just had the wires taken out of his mouth and ready to resume a normal diet and just needed treatment for the digestive pain. After being admitted to Renown South Meadows Hospital in Reno, NV he called me at 3 am from his hospital bed and complained of the medical staff attempting to insert a catheter with three unsuccessful attempts. He actually said that the treatment he was getting would result in my having to write his obituary. He was correct. He was also a physician. There was no Dr. at the hospital and only one Dr. on call for 5 hospitals. My husband asked if I could come to the hospital. They would not let me come be with him as they said visiting hours were only 8 am to 8pm. When I saw him the next day it appeared he had been battered and drugged and later sent to the ICU. He was released to come home to hospice care a few days later. I only wish I had called Dr. Smith before my husbands last ER visit to evaluate other options available to us before going to the ER. I know I cannot go back in time with the "What If's" but more than ever I recognize how valuable it is to have a trusted Dr. like Dr. Smith to consult with when the immediacy arises. Please forgive the saga of my story but it is a bit cathartic for me to tell it and certainly emphasizes the importance of a concierge Doctor like Dr. Smith. My only regret is that so many cannot afford such a luxury as we have in a concierge doctor and I believe it speaks to the brokenness of our medical system overall.