November 21, 2924 -Plantation, Fla., — On the morning of Sunday, November 10, after completing her night shift at HCA Florida Westside Hospital, nurse Allison Seecoomare made a routine stop for gas. That morning, she encountered her regular gas attendant, 67-year-old Luis Sanchez Mendia, but noticed something unusual — Luis didn’t seem like himself.
Seeing Allison’s stethoscope, Luis asked her to check on him. At first, she thought he was joking, but soon realized the request was serious. Using her stethoscope, she detected a loud heart murmur so pronounced it could be heard without equipment. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Allison strongly advised Luis to go straight to the hospital.
When Luis hesitated, Allison emphasized the gravity of the situation. “Either you leave now, or I’ll take you myself,” she insisted. Convinced by her determination, Luis followed her advice and headed directly to the Emergency Room at HCA Florida Westside Hospital.
Once there, Luis was diagnosed with a critical heart condition that required immediate intervention. On Friday, November 15, renowned cardiac surgeon Dr. Alfredo Rego performed an emergency valve replacement surgery, saving Luis’s life.
Luis is now making a remarkable recovery and is scheduled for discharge tomorrow morning. Before leaving, he plans to meet Allison to give her a heartfelt hug and thank her for her decisive actions that changed the course of his life.
“This is the biggest gift I could ever receive,” said Luis, whose 68th birthday falls on December 24. “Nurse Allison truly is my angel.”
HCA Florida Westside Hospital is proud to celebrate the extraordinary care and dedication of its staff, who go above and beyond both in and out of the hospital to serve the community.
Who: HCA Florida Westside Hospital
What: Heartwarming reunion of patient, Luis and nurse, Allision before he is discharged.
When: Friday, November 22, 2024- 10:00am
Where: HCA Florida Westside Hospital 8201 W Broward Blvd Plantation, FL 33324
About HCA Florida Westside Hospital
Our healthcare facility has been serving the healthcare needs of people from Broward County, South Florida and around the world for 50 years. As a 24/7 comprehensive healthcare facility, our 250-bed hospital offers a full range of medical services, including emergency care, Comprehensive Stroke Center, orthopedics, cardiology, surgery and oncology. Our hospital is committed to offering advanced healthcare services with a compassionate, patient-focused approach in the Broward community.
About HCA Florida Healthcare
HCA Florida Healthcare, a part of HCA Healthcare, is a family of more than 450 affiliated site of care, including hospitals, physician practices and freestanding emergency rooms, offering the state’s leading network of personalized care. United as a statewide network in 2021, HCA Florida Healthcare includes 11,000 experienced doctors and 77,000 colleagues working together to deliver advanced, collaborative care to more than 6.4 million patients each year. HCA Florida Healthcare is committed to improving more lives in more ways and giving back to the communities it serves. The network provided nearly $836.6 million in uncompensated care and invested significantly in innovative technologies and facilities across Florida, including the new $360 million state-of-the-art, multi-specialty HCA Florida University Hospital in Davie, Fla. A strong advocate for the next generation of healthcare professionals, HCA Florida Healthcare is also a major supporter of university-based healthcare programs and residencies and fellowships throughout the Sunshine State. For more information, please visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com.
