Cass Regional Medical Center | Wellness Matters | Fall 2019

CynthiaMiltenberger, RN, RRT, knows Cass Regional Medical Center well—she began working there as a respiratory therapist in 1982, and retired from her full-time position as director of organizational effectiveness in 2013. That’s why she knew exactly where to go when she needed care. An accident in November 2018 landed Miltenberger on the patient side of the health care equation. She fell and landed on her elbow, but did not believe the fall had caused a break. Later that day, as she and her husband were driving, they hit a bump, sending intense pain through her elbow and causing her to nearly pass out. This was when Miltenberger realized she had broken her elbow. Though the pain was excruciating and she had many hospitals closer to her at that moment, Miltenberger chose to travel a longer distance in order to be taken care of at Cass Regional. “They went out of their way” “From the start, everyone who was involved in my care was incredible,” Miltenberger said. From the emergency department, to surgery, to an overnight stay on the medical/surgical unit, Miltenberger was impressed by her entire care team at Cass Regional. “Everybody cares so much. It wasn’t because of who I was,” said Miltenberger. “Everyone who took care of me didn’t know me, but they went out of their way to make the whole experience easier for me.” Today, Miltenberger is back to keeping up with her two grandsons and doing the things she enjoys. “When I was the director of organizational effectiveness, it was my job to look for all the things that were wrong and fix them,” Miltenberger reflected. “But when I was here as a patient, there was nothing that went wrong. To me, quality is knowing that I had the best health care and health professionals. A lot of how you feel is more than just medicine—it’s attitude, it’s trust. I knew if I could just get to Cass Regional, I would be okay.” More than just medicine Cynthia Miltenberger with Ian McDowell, MSN, RN, CEN, manager of the emergency department. McDowell was one of many who Miltenberger encountered while at Cass Regional Medical Center for treatment. A lot of howyou feel is more than just medicine—it’s attitude, it’s trust. I knew if I could just get to Cass Regional, I would be okay.” Fall 2019 Here for Your Health