You Inspire The Best in Us.

With the many advances in cancer treatment, today’s cancer patients have more and more reasons for hope. Portraits of Hope are the incredible stories of our patients and their journeys of hope and survival. Click on a thumbnail and scroll down to view each story.

  • Exceeding Expectations
  • Connecting Students with
    Care at School
  • Able to Breathe Again
  • Expanding Access to Specialty Care
  • A Model for Clinical Education
  • Superlative Care in a Rural Setting
  • Repairing Bodies One Patient at a Time
  • Committed to Care Everywhere
  • Enhanced Access to Health Information
  • Lending a Helping Hand
  • The Miracle of Life Restored
  • In Excellent Hands when Seconds Count
  • Breathing New Life
  • A Dose of Vitamin Sea
  • McLeod TeleHealth: Bringing Specialized Care To Rural Areas
  • A Residency Program With A Passion To Care
  • Transforming Lives With A Team Approach
  • How Your Health Impacts Your Job
  • Committed To Safety And Quality
  • Enhancing Men’s Health
  • A New Frontier
  • Enhancing the Patient’s Experience
  • More Than Bricks & Mortar
  • Thankful for the Vision
  • A Mission Dedicated to Healing & Access
  • Access Excellence
  • A Broader Scope
  • In Good Hands
  • Exceptional Surgical Abilities Coupled with Enhanced Technology
  • We turned a One-Pound Bundle into Joy
  • Fred Kristensen
    We gave him the Strength to breathe deep and Soar High
  • The Miracle of Family
  • A Pelvic Health Story – Poonkulali Suresh
    Pelvic Health
  • Marie Wolfe
    An Unexpected Blessing
  • Eddie and Amy Powers
    A Mother's Gift
  • Bryana Hipkins
    Blessed Through Giving

Exceeding Expectations

By Jaime Hayes

On the morning of February 16, Johnnie Luehrs awoke to shooting pain on the entire left side of her face. “The awful pain extended from my chin to my forehead,” she said.

“From the moment we walked through the front door, I knew I would be in excellent hands,” said Johnnie. Greeted by Monica Bryson and triaged by Beth King, RN, Johnnie was seen by Dr. Amid Hamidi.

Dr. Hamidi, Medical Director of Emergency Services at McLeod Health Dillon, quickly diagnosed her with shingles.

“Johnnie presented to the Emergency Department with severe pain and a rash along the left side of her face,” said Dr. Hamidi. “The rash came within a fraction of an inch of her eye, which was concerning. She made a good call to seek medical attention.”

“Dr. Hamidi and the staff showed me a great deal of compassion,” added Johnnie. “He even shared his personal bout with shingles during medical school, so I knew that he understood the pain I was experiencing.”

While in the Emergency Department, Dr. Hamidi ordered a numbing medication from the pharmacy and applied it to Johnnie’s face. “Once I received my prescriptions for the local pharmacy, my nurse Elizabeth Hunt explained the medications and instructions for use,” said Johnnie.

“When we walked out of the Emergency Department, both my husband and I felt confident.

“All of our questions had been answered and our concerns addressed,” she added.

To top off an excellent experience, Dr. Hamidi reached out to Johnnie after her visit. “Dr. Hamidi actually called to check on me later that afternoon and said that he would be praying for my recovery. These days, that is not very common,” said Johnnie. “Don and I remain impressed about the care we received that day. Dr. Hamidi and his Emergency Department staff exceeded all of our expectations.”

Johnnie shared her experience with her sister-in-law who lives in Florida. “She commented how unusual that was,” recalled Johnnie. “Don and I simply responded, ‘Not for McLeod.’”

Each day the Emergency Department team faces many challenges, and most of them are unexpected. “I know how busy the Emergency Department can be,” said Johnnie. “Of course, there were other patients seeking care that day, yet Dr. Hamidi and Elizabeth gave me their undivided attention.

“The compassionate care I received at the McLeod Health Dillon Emergency Department calmed the frightful experience that led me there,” she added.