Normally when I got the following email from Cheryl Denay, I would have passed it on as a potential letter to the editor, but instead I chose to use this space to recognize the hundreds of Hidden Heroes who, especially during major illnesses, are always there to care for us; and care for us extraordinarily well.

Last week I had the pleasure of acknowledging one teacher on behalf of all. Today I have the honor, thanks to Cheryl, of recognizing all who work in our medical system.

Here's Cheryl's email:

"Too often we hear about the terrible things that go wrong, and not often enough do we hear about, or give thanks when things are done well. This is especially the case with the influx and chaos that is a constant in any hospital emergency room; particularly, those involving emergency healthcare and medicine.

"On behalf of my father, Arne Hansen, I would like to thank the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital staff with special thanks to Dr. Eric W. Grantner and all of the nurses, care aids, cleaning staff and volunteers who provided him with such exceptional care during his recent four-week stay there. In particular, we want to thank the nursing team and support and volunteer staff on the 4th Floor.

"On behalf of my father and my family, I also want to acknowledge the crisis response teams in our city who work tirelessly on our behalf - The Nanaimo Paramedics and Fire and Rescue Teams. Countless times they have come with haste, calmed our family, and cared for our father and mother, and helped make each crisis less difficult.

"Most recently my father was admitted for nearly four weeks total. His condition was not good. We were actually preparing for the worst outcome. This has now been the case many times for my father and he keeps "bouncing back" to everyone's surprise.

"Over the duration of this four-week period, my family and I watched as the NRGH staff competently progressed in their team building, character, ethics, style, creativity and communication skills. It was a combination of these competencies, as well as their caring and support that brought my father back home.

"After his last hospital visit, my father sat down one night and thoughtfully asked if I could write a letter to the paper as a heartfelt and heart-full "thank you" to the Nanaimo Hospital staff and of course his physician. My father went on and on about what a good job they all did and how well he was treated. Consideration, caring, humor, and decency were all part of this care.

"Words are hardly enough, but they will have to suffice for now." So to Nanaimo's crisis response teams and all who work at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, on behalf of my father and my family, please accept our heart and soul-felt Thank-You's! You are all awesome!"