Angela's story
What began as a stressful hospital stay for Angela, one of HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital’s dedicated nurses, became an unforgettable celebration of love thanks to the compassion and creativity of the hospital’s care team.
Angela was at work on her Orthopedics unit when she started experiencing severe abdominal pain. She went down to the ER and was later admitted for testing. When she had to have her gallbladder removed ahead of her wedding anniversary, “I was a having a meltdown… crying,” Angela said. “I was heartbroken, thinking I’d miss celebrating our special day,” But the team had other plans. “They said, ‘We can take care of that,’” she recalled.
And they did. While Angela was recovering, she and her husband, Christopher, were surprised with a beautifully prepared steak and shrimp dinner right in her hospital room. “It was delicious,” Angela said. “The Med Surg director, AnnieBelle [who purchased the decorations with her own money], came in and told me to cover my head and not peek… then she and her unit secretary Irmina set it all up. It was so nice.” The real gift, though, was how it made them feel: Christopher said it was the first time he’d seen Angela smile all week.
Moments like these remind us that life doesn’t stop in the hospital — and neither does love. Angela emphasized that the kindness she received is simply the culture at the hospital: “They’d do this for any of our patients; it’s really at the heart of our mission: making everyone feel valued and cared for,” she said.
AnnieBelle, Irmina and a team of support staff behind the scenes helped make the evening unforgettable. Angela was discharged a few days later and continued her recovery comfortably at home.
Expert emergency care close to home
The Emergency Department at HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital delivers expert, compassionate care 24/7, equipped with advanced diagnostic technology and specialized teams for critical conditions like heart attacks and strokes. With 26 private rooms and a Fast Track ER for less urgent cases, the ER prioritizes rapid treatment and patient comfort. Every member of the team is committed to providing lifesaving care with empathy and excellence when every second counts.