Hickory, NC -  Sergei.  He is a bit of a celebrity around Hickory.  If you frequent Café 2 forty 2, you for sure have met him and he definitely remembers you.  His customers ask for him by name.  And every customer is treated like an old friend with a two-handed handshake and a pat on the back.  He is loved for his service, his accent, his smile, and his inviting personality.  His jollity never falters.

However, if you are lucky enough to sit down with Sergei you will find that his beaming smile is covering a life of hardships and struggling.  You see, Sergei is not a career waiter despite his adept competence.  Sergei was a licensed Obstetrician and Gynecologist in the old country.  He came over to the States on holiday, not speaking a word of English.  When he called home, his parents gave him the news.  The hospital where he worked in Moldova had been bombed.  There was nothing left. 

Sergei decided to stay in the US.  That was nine years ago.  Unfortunately, Sergei has not been able to gain licensure in the US.  Thus, he waits tables to make his living.  He hopes to take the boards to be certified within the next year.

“How’s Mama?”  It’s the first question Sergei’s customers ask when they come in to 2 forty 2.  Sergei brings Mama Galina Demchenko over from the old country during the colder months.  Their government does not provide heat or hot water so the winter months are unbearable. 

Sergei is very close to his mother.  Mama raised Sergei and his brother while she worked full time at a shoe factory cutting leather patterns.  After 36 years at the factory, Mama retired with a nice pension.  However, due to political upheaval and changes in currency, Mama’s pension shrank to a mere $9 a month, an amount so ludicrous it is impossible to fathom.  Because Mama cannot make it on her pension, Sergei sends her the majority of what he makes at 2 forty 2.

Over the past few years, Mama has had problems with her gallbladder.  However, with the Ukrainian healthcare system, she would have to be deathly ill for them to perform surgery.  She was told to live with the pain and complications. 

“So, how’s Mama doing?”  Dr. William Ronald Gardner sits at Sergei’s table and catches up with him.  Sergei tells him of all the great meals Mama has made since she’s been over here.  And then he mentions Mama’s gallbladder problems.  Dr. Gardner, a retired surgeon and a major pillar in the expansion of Frye Regional Medical Center, simply stated, “let me see what I can do.”

Dr. Gardner took it upon himself to call Frye Regional Medical Center on Sergei and Mama’s behalf.  The ball was rolling.  He spoke with Suzanne Bird, Chief Nursing Officer who in turn spoke with President and Chief Executive Officer, Denny Bruns.  The hospital whole-heartedly supported Dr. Gardner’s request.  All services would be provided at no cost to Sergei and his mother.

Dr. Gardner then brought Dr. Michael W. Dickinson on board. Dr. Dickinson, a surgeon, has been on three mission trips to Peru and enjoys providing pro-bono services.  “She needed the surgery and I like to do it,” Dr. Dickinson modestly says.  “She was a nice lady.”  The services of her anesthesia team, Dr. Eric Hanson and Don Lowe, CRNA, on staff at Frye, were also provided at no cost. “We all like to do pro-bono work; we want to help out where we can,” says Don Lowe, CRNA.

The date was set.  Mama would go in for surgery the morning of April 13th.  FRMC, along with the doctors and staff, went out of their way to make Mama’s experience as comfortable as possible.  Yana Richardson, a FRMC phlebotomist and surgical tech student also from the Ukraine, stood by Mama and translated all information.   Yana placated Mama and settled her worries.  Without complication, the surgery went beautifully.  As Mama woke, she immediately looked around the room for Yana.  And, of course, Yana was there to reassure Mama that everything was fine.

Mama was very impressed with Frye.  She was amazed that she had a personal room and bath.  “In old country, she would bring sheets, medicine, and bandages to the hospital herself,” Sergei says, “And there are up to 10 other patients in each room.”  They were also impressed with the excellent attention they received from the doctors as well as the nurses.  “It’s an excellent hospital,” Sergei boasts with his famous smile.  “Mama cried leaving the hospital.  Frye has people with big hearts.”

According to Dr. Dickinson, everything is healing nicely.  Mama is already back in the kitchen cooking gourmet meals.  She left for home May 19th and is eagerly awaiting this paper.  She wants to show it to her friends.  Sergei saw her off and will continue waiting tables.  Hopefully within the year, we will be able to refer to him as Dr. Sergei Demchenko. 

We are very fortunate to have a hospital in our community that gives back to the people who support it.  Doctors and staff of FRMC generously stepped up to the plate and gave their time and services.  “Everyone was very willing; nobody had to be begged,” says Dr. Gardner.  “It was all provided without any question at all.”

As for the Demchenkos, all you have to do is sit down at Café 2 forty 2 and ask Sergei, “How’s Mama?”  He would love to fill you in on her progress.

Frye Regional Medical Center is a 355-bed acute care facility located at 420 North Center Street in Hickory, NC.  The hospital has been serving the medical and health care needs of Catawba County since 1911.  The hospital’s main campus includes a comprehensive heart center and cardiac rehab, orthopedics, bariatric surgery, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, pediatrics, center for neurosciences, cancer center and women’s pavilion.  Frye has several extended campuses to serve families throughout the area including: Frye Wellness and Education Center which houses the Center For Diabetes Self-Management Care, perinatal education and community wellness classes; South Campus for psychiatric services; Viewmont and Tate Surgery Centers; Vein and Wound Center/Infusion Care; Pain Center; Piedmont Therapy, offering sports and industrial rehabilitation; an urgent care facility; FryeCare, an outpatient diagnostic facility; Alexander Campus, which provides 24 hour emergency care along with diagnostic and laboratory services and infusion care; plus HealthPoint, which provides extensive industrial services and programs to employers.

Frye Regional Medical Center is accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the nation’s oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency.  To learn more about the hospital, visit www.fryemedctr.com.