One long-term patient has left a lasting imprint on the hearts of our Cardiovascular ICU and Progressive Cardiovascular teams. Rhonda Lanier has become like family, and room 650 like her home-away-from-home.

Rhonda has active heart failure. After an aortic valve replacement in 2021, days on the unit turned into months as she underwent 11 surgeries and battled many setbacks. She passed the time and distracted herself from the pain by getting to know her caregivers.

“She was so invested in people’s lives,” said Respiratory Therapist Jessica Pannell. “She keeps up with everyone on Facebook. There are just some people you can’t forget. I would end up being in her room for an hour just talking to her. No matter how sick she was, she was just happy to be here.” 

“It wasn’t just the health care. The visits, laughter, prayers, tears, talks – I got to know each person personally,” shared Rhonda. “They have lives and stories, but you would never know it. They take care of you no matter what … and we had fun.”

It was that spirit and joy, despite her circumstances, that made the HH team fall in love with her.

“She had so many things go wrong and she always had such a good spirit, such a good heart, and she was fun to take care of,” said Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Chris Achord. “She asked me to take care of her as if she was my mom.  She is the only patient I have had in 10 years who has my personal phone number. She has a good attitude – she has that part figured out, even though she has had plenty of reasons to be upset.”

The staff proactively got together looking for ways to donate and honor Rhonda after her more than 6-month stay in the unit. They decided that it would be fitting to officially make it “her room” – dedicating room 650 in Rhonda’s name. Dozens of staff members contributed to the room naming through HHF, and surprised Rhonda with a celebration and plaque on Feb. 14, 2024. It was a day full of love that none of them will ever forget.

“She has had such a big impact on everybody here,” said CVICU/PCV Unit Director Julie Carlyle, RN, MSN “When she was going through some of the hardest times in her life, in spite of the difficulties, she was always so confident and loving and caring. She had that positive mindset that impacted so many people. This is a way to make her feel loved and special.”

“The elevator doors opened and my favorite people were standing in front of me and they were clapping … I had no idea why. I was so surprised,” Rhonda said. “So many names should be included on that plaque, not mine. I get to play with my grandchildren and see them almost every day because of what they did for me. They are my heroes; they had my back; they are my family.”

If you have any questions about naming opportunities, please contact HHF Donor Relations Director Anna Smith at anna.smith@hhsys.org.