OK, this is my first ever letter to the editor. Anyone who knows me knows that I am never at a loss for words. And as I get older, I have also become more opinionated for some reason. So, here we go.

We are all aware of the hospital situations and changes in our area. It is very upsetting and stressful. Recently, I have heard Bradford Regional Medical Center referred to as “the Band-Aid Hospital” and Olean General Hospital as “crowded and unresponsive.”

Not so fast!

I personally just suffered nine days with the norovirus (horrible) and then two days in BRMC and six days in Olean General.

I am here to tell you that I had the most attentive and professional care possible in both hospitals — and that also includes urgent care and the very kind and helpful fellows in the Bradford ambulance and later the Trans Am transport.

My point is I had excellent care from everyone, including doctors, nurses, technicians, office, kitchen and maintenance. Most of these people are working 12-hour shifts. Would you work 12-hour shifts? Could you?

They are all doing their jobs — day and night — with the same stress and unknowns about the future that we have.

Please don’t downplay these hard-working, devoted healthcare workers for what is going on in the “upper echelons.”

They deserve our appreciation and respect for being there, doing their jobs and taking care of us.

Pam Spees, Derrick City