Even before Beverly Bretsch called Doña Ana County home, she experienced quality and compassionate care from the team at Memorial Medical Center’s Emergency Department.

Visiting family members in the area two years ago, Bretsch recalls facing a debilitating headache with constant, overwhelming and unfamiliar pain. “And I’ve had migraines in the past, so I know what headaches are,” she said.

When persistent nausea set in, Bretsch was rushed to Memorial. With initial fears it could be a range of conditions including a brain bleed, Bretsch’s nerves were quickly calmed by the nurses, techs and other staff who delivered care.

“I have never been treated so compassionately, so quickly in any situation,” she said.” And I’m 70 years old and I’m an ex-nurse. I know what wonderful medical attention feels like because I tried to give it too.”

They ultimately determined that she had several crushed vertebrae in her neck.

“It seems I tend to forget that at age 70 there are limitations to how much and how heavy these bones of mine will handle,” she recalled.

Fast forward two years, with Bretsch back to her usual go-getter self and a resident of Mesilla, Bretsch overexerted herself working on landscaping projects and again did herself in.

Facing the excruciating pain of a broken back from the heavy lifting, there was no question in her mind about where to seek immediate medical help.

“Going (to Memorial) and knowing the kind of care that I would receive was such a comfort to me. I was not going to go anywhere else,” Bretsch said. “And sure enough, I was not disappointed.”

Bretsch credits the professional care and service of the entire team at Memorial with helping her quickly get back to enjoying life, including riding a bicycle in this year’s Mesilla Fourth of July parade with her granddaughter in tow.

“I can’t say enough about Memorial Medical Center and the professionals there,” she said, adding that she recommends the hospital to everyone to family members to acquaintances. “Everyone there was so incredibly compassionate – that’s the word that comes to me.”

And in Bretsch’s most recent experience at Memorial, she said she also saw how that compassion is being passed on to the next generation of caregivers. In nominating her nurse Kim for a DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, Bretsch cited that Kim not only put her at ease but also took the time to teach a student along the way.

“Her manner with the student was respectful and professional – a wonderful mentor to this young woman,” Bretsch wrote in her nomination.

In need of emergency care? Find Memorial’s Emergency Department average wait time at mmclc.org. Call 9-1-1 if you or a loved one is experiencing a medical emergency.