Surgical Patient Thankful for Mon Health Medical Center During Unexpected Hospital Stay

Mary Mazza Hendricks with her two sons during Thanksgiving 2021.

Mary Mazza Hendricks arrived at Mon Health Medical Center for her hysterectomy expecting to be back home within a day. But medical complications turned into a three-day hospital stay. 

"Apparently I have large blood vessels instead of small ones," Mary said, which required her physician, Dr. Susan Capelle, Mon Health Gynecologist, to take precautions that included two nights in the hospital. 

"I was scared, which shouldn't be surprising, since anxiety is a constant in my psyche," said Mary. "With the benefit of hindsight, I realize now that fear was unwarranted because I had extraordinary care at Mon Health Medical Center. Dr. Capelle is a genius surgeon. I feel like I never had surgery at all. I am totally happy with my stay at Mon Health Medical Center in Morgantown."

Each encounter that Mary had with her care team helped to ease her mind and make her more comfortable during her stay. She was released from the hospital once her condition was stable and continues to feel great following her surgery. 
 
"Each nurse who came into my room was exceptionally skilled and professional. I felt their compassion and empathy with every encounter," said Mary. "Most importantly, I felt listened to. The nurses and CNAs attentively listened to my concerns and immediately took care of those to my complete satisfaction."

She said at one point, when she wanted to walk around the hallway to exercise, Nathan, a nurse manager, came to help. Another time when she had a mild panic attack, nurse Kaitlyn was right there with her. 

"Kaitlyn grounded me with psychological tips and within minutes, I calmed down," Mary said. "She was not judgmental or impatient, but empathetic and kind. She was exactly what I needed at the time."

Mary has two grown sons and lives in Weston, WV. She manages parish communications and teaches middle school religious education at Holy Rosary Church in Buckhannon and is the secretary at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Weston. She is also a retired newspaper reporter and church pastoral associate. Mary is an avid exerciser and enjoys reading, cooking, cleaning, and sewing.