Veteran received ‘Second to None’ care at Wilmington VA Emergency Department
It was the day after New Years when U.S. Air Force Veteran Scott Eberhard found out he caught COVID-19. When his oxygen levels started dropping, he was told by a friend that he needed to get to the hospital.
During his hour drive from Camden-Wyoming, Delaware to the Wilmington VA Emergency Department, he passed many other Emergency Departments.
“I went to Wilmington VA because I had a wonderful time there before,” said Eberhard. “The care and treatment I received from the moment I entered the reception area in the Emergency Department was second to none. I was seen in seconds, not minutes or hours.”
Mr. Eberhard had been coming to the Wilmington VA Medical Center (WVAMC) since 2022 when he moved from Florida. This was his first time ever experiencing WVAMC’s Emergency Department.
“The warmth, friendliness, dedication and professionalism I experienced from every member of your staff that I came in contact with was exceptional,” said Eberhard to a letter to the Wilmington VA director, Vamsee Potluri.
Eberhard stayed at WVAMC for five days. Throughout the stay he was able to talk to multiple members of the emergency room staff, and even came across a familiar face, nurse and former elementary school classmate, Michele McDermott.
“I was even brought blankets without me having to ask. The disposition was so caring it struck me that I was being treated as a person not a number,” said Eberhard who was using his coat as a makeshift blanket.
“I dare not leave anyone out and would like to recognize my entire care team in the emergency department,” said Eberhard. “The assistants, technicians, attendants, nurses, and doctors all seemed to share one goal – to make my stay as comfortable as possible throughout my treatment. They genuinely care and it shows!”
“You should be proud of your team,” Eberhard said in the same letter to the director. “… I am most grateful for their contributions to Veteran Healthcare. They continue to put Veterans First!”
The Wilmington VA Medical Center encourages Veterans to go to the nearest emergency department for emergent care.
Contact 302-994-2511 ext. 5212 or visit https://www.va.gov/wilmington-health-care/register-for-care/ to register for VA health care.