Patient returns to thank every hospital employee

WARWICK - With almost 2,300 volunteer hours under his belt, Warwick resident Pat Colman is certainly no stranger to St. Anthony Community Hospital. However, when Colman recently suffered a bout with pneumonia along with other serious complications, he found himself on the receiving end of the hospital’s services. And to make matters worse, his lengthy stay began shortly before Christmas and extended well beyond New Year’s Day. “We are so lucky to have St. Anthony’s Hospital here in Warwick,” said Colman. “There is so much to say about all the wonderful people who work there that my only fear is that I will forget to mention everyone.” On Friday, March 9, Colman returned to the hospital’s Medical/Surgical Unit where he, often with his wife, Anita, by his side, had spent the holidays and beyond. After presenting Judy Lindberg, vice president Patient Care Services, with a bouquet of flowers, he made a short speech praising the doctors, nurses, aides, technicians, physical therapists and all those who work in the operating room as well the food service, cleaning and maintenance departments. “Although I spent Christmas and New Year’s Day in this hospital,” he said, “everyone, and I mean everyone, went out of their way to ask me how I was doing or if I needed anything. That helped keep my spirits up. Thank God for St. Anthony Community Hospital.”