To the editor:

My wife, BJ, Barbara Jo Sherwin, was a patient at the Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake from early April until the middle of June. She spent time in the ICU, the medical floor and even in surgery. She ultimately died there, but it was despite the superb care she received there.

As a retired doctor, I have spent close to 40 years in hospitals and other medical offices and facilities. As such, I can claim some expertise in my assessment.

There are always some professional and caring people in hospitals, but the treatment my wife received was superior to anything I have seen in 40 years as a doctor.

Her care was professional and efficient, but more than that, it was also friendly, supportive and genuinely caring. This involved doctors, nurses, nurses aides and even housekeeping, dietary, lab and other services.

There is a culture of caring at the Adirondack Medical Center that deserves to be advertised and applauded. It is, unfortunately, becoming rare in medicine today.

I want to thank the people who made this terribly difficult time more bearable for me and my wife. I also want to encourage everyone in the North Country to cherish and support this unique institution and its wonderful staff.

Carl Sherwin, MD

Malone