Sharing your stories Cecilia Bryan had just moved to Lawrence with her family when she found out she was pregnant with her first baby. She had no idea where to start. Her new neighbors told her to take a look at LMH Health. “After they told me this I went through and watched all the doctors’ and midwives’ videos, and I stumbled upon Lara’s video,” Bryan said. Lara Rivera, APRN, CNM, DNP, is a midwife with Lawrence OB-GYN Specialists. “She was so sweet and seemed like she cared about all of her patients so much. Her background with the military drew me in, as well.” Bryan said after choosing Rivera and going to her first appointment she knew it was the best choice for her. She said Rivera was just as kind in person as in her video and that through every step of her pregnancy she was right there alongside them. Bryan said that she would advise all patients to look into the physician and advanced practice provider videos on the LMH Health website. “Because of the videos I found Lara and I am so grateful to have her as my care provider,” she said.
Cecilia Bryan, at right, with Lara Rivera, APRN, CNM, DNP
Steven Berger’s relationship with LMH Health started long ago. He has been in Lawrence since 1990 and his wife was born at LMH Health in 1957, so finding the hospital was easy. “I have been a patient of LMH Health’s for a while and know they provide great care,” Berger said. “After increased back pain I decided to seek medical attention and got in to see my regular clinician, Dr. David Goering of the Internal Medicine Group, who then recommended me to Dr. David Fritz’s group [Lawrence Spine Care]. After some scans and tests, I was scheduled for my spinal fusion surgery.” Berger said that every step of the way he was met with amazing care. Though he knows the clinicians are busy seeing many patients on top of battling COVID-19, he always felt cared for and heard. “At one point, I felt like I was the only patient the spine care group had,” he said. “I knew this wasn’t the case, but they were so attentive and took the time to assess my needs and concerns.” Berger said he would absolutely recommend Lawrence Spine Care and LMH Health to others. He has seen multiple physicians, advanced practice providers and clinics at LMH Health and has always been given a warm welcome.
Dr. David Racette, a retired general surgeon, spent the last 16 years living in a third-world country. After being pricked by a cactus, which led to four surgeries and partial amputation of his left foot, he came to Lawrence to recover with a friend. “While staying with my friend, I began to have heart problems and went to the ER,” Dr. Racette said. “LMH Health was the hospital in the area and that is where I chose to go. I knew I had some heart issues from my previous medical attention but wanted to be checked out. When I arrived, they did an EKG and checked my vitals and decided to run some tests. After they watched me for a while to make sure I was okay, they set me up with a heart specialist and a primary care provider since I didn’t have one in the area.” Dr. Racette said he was impressed by the thorough care and evaluation he got when coming to LMH Health. He said the staff were compassionate and truly wanted to help him. “The whole team of doctors, nurses, radiology technicians, laboratory staff and more took such great care of me,” he said. “They were all so tuned in and wanted to help me. The immediate care I received here was impressive.”
9
