High-Quality Surgical Care with a Small Town Feel [Danetta Ishmael]

I am Danetta Ishmael and I live in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and I'm a business systems analyst advisor for a financial bank. 

What was your impression of surgery at Brookings Health System?

It was awesome to be honest with you. I mean, you get here, you park right in front of where you go in. The staff was awesome. As soon as I walked into the building, I was registered already. As soon as I left the registration office, they were waiting to take me back to my room, which was awesome. Yeah, so it was a very good experience.

How were you treated by the staff?

Oh, the staff was awesome. They made you feel comfortable. Very thorough at what they did, made you feel so relaxed. I mean, it was just like you've known the staff for years. It was just a pleasant experience. 

Did you have any concerns about surgery at a smaller hospital?

You know, when my medical staff said, "Hey, it's a great facility, I've heard great things about this hospital care system." No, I didn't. I really didn't. And as soon as I got in the door, people made you feel so relaxed. It's just like a worry kind of free attitude you get when you talk to the staff here throughout the whole thing.

How did Brookings Health System compare to previous healthcare experiences?

Having surgeries at other facilities, you know, especially in Sioux Falls, it just...the big difference was you weren't just a number. It was, you're not waiting in line throughout the whole procedure to get results, or answers, or get processed through. It just was such a nice, streamlined process.

What did you appreciate most about your care?

Just the warmness and welcome, right? And they were so thorough. I mean, they explained everything that you would get in a bigger hospital, but it was more of a one-on-one type of communication. Very organized, extremely, just extremely satisfied with the care. 

Was it easy to find where you needed to go?

Oh, super easy. Super easy. I mean, the directions were great that they gave me. You got right here and in. It just good experience. When you get into the bigger facilities like down in Sioux Falls, it takes you like 20 minutes just to find a parking spot, right? And this was just so convenient. In and out, you're at your car, right?

How was your husband's experience?

Real good. He didn't have to wait long. Let's put it that way. And it was just that whole front end process of not having to wait and fill in time or whatever. But the surgery went good. They came out and we left. 

How were you supported during recovery?

Good support. There was no waiting to do anything. I mean, it was like you had their focus one on one. And you didn't have to wait for them to go see 90 other patients, and it was a great experience.

Would you return to Brookings Health System for future care?

From everything that I experienced, it definitely is worth the trip down here to go through you guys or Brookings to have any type of procedure done. I'd do it in a heartbeat. 

Would you recommend surgery at Brookings Health?

I think the overall care was great. It was a good experience. They made you feel relaxed. You weren't stressed when you came in. The people made you so comfortable throughout the whole procedure.

What makes Brookings Health System different?

It's more on a personal level. I mean, it's that one on one more focused. It's the care in overall, right, but it's also the way it's processed. It's more streamlined. It's more coordinated. You don't feel like you're in an assembly line waiting to get in there. It just the overall experience was awesome.

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