In late January 2009, my husband Jim suffered a very severe hemorrhagic stroke. Before he lost consciousness, he instructed EMS to “take me to Rex.” He was admitted to the intensive care unit at Rex Hospital, Raleigh, North Carolina. Dr. Gerald Maccioli is the head of this unit.
The care my husband received under Dr. Maccioli’s direction was clinically excellent, but more importantly, it was also very caring. The nurses, technicians, therapists and physicians all treated my husband, and our entire family, with dignity and respect. Dr Maccioli was especially kind and caring to us — making sure that we had the best and most accurate information. As anyone who has a loved one in the hospital knows, getting accurate, timely information is so important. It not only ensures good decisions and patient care, but helps reduce the anxiety of “not knowing.”
Moreover, Dr. Maccioli was honest and direct with us as my husband’s condition deteriorated. As hard as it was to hear the truth, it would have been so much worse not knowing what was really happening. He gave us the opportunity to prepare. For his honesty and compassion, I will be forever grateful to Dr. Maccioli. Sadly, Jim died from his stroke — 10 days after being admitted to Rex ICU. Even at the very end, the staff in the ICU showed my husband and our family great kindness and care. As difficult as the situation was, I never felt alone, and I always felt that Jim was getting the very best care possible.