Wedding Bells Ring on 7D- BWH Bulletin - For and about the People of Brigham and Women's Hospital
Wedding Bells Ring on 7D- BWH Bulletin - For and about the People of Brigham and Women's Hospital
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March 2, 2001
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In This Issue:
Wedding Bells Ring on 7D
Female Medical Residents at BWH On the Rise
BWH Converts to New Dialing System
March Calendar
Otten Named UHC Chairman
It’s not every day that a blushing bride in a white wedding dress walks down the hall of the 7D Pod. However, on Friday, February 23, numerous employees and departments at BWH rallied together to make the wedding dreams of patient Richard Ontiveros and his fiancee Michelle Arzola come true. Ontiveros, who was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in November, had been planning to wed Arzola in April. Unfortunately, the wedding had to be postponed due to his illness. Once 7D nurse Claire O’Connell, RN, heard about the couple’s plans, she decided to help them make the wedding a reality right here at BWH. “As soon as the couple expressed interest in getting married here, I started making calls,” said O’Connell, who began planning the wedding on Monday, February 19—less than a week in advance. “Everyone I spoke to was helpful, especially Katherine Mitchell and George Winchester of the Chaplaincy, Pat Gleason-Clayden of Dietary and Ellen Cummings from the Gift Shop. All of the departments involved came through very quickly and were more than gracious about it.” “As soon as Claire told people about it, they went for it,” said Brooke Lovett, LICSW, who has been working with Ontiveros and his family. “Once it became clear that Michelle could get the marriage license in time for a Friday ceremony, everyone rallied to make sure it happened before Richard’s surgery the next Monday. We worked with Chaplaincy to organize the ceremony, we got in touch with Catering for food and a wedding cake, and we asked the Gift Shop’s flower department for a bouquet and decorations. It was a huge team effort.” Blood work was quickly done for the couple at BWH. Care Coordination paid for the cake and sparkling cider, and the hospital donated food platters and sandwiches. Rebecca Baron, MD, Pulmonary, was invited to play the cello at the ceremony. “It was a very special experience, and I was honored to have been a part of it,” said Baron. Even Arzola’s hairstyle was donated to the wedding, by a hairdresser whose mother was also a BWH patient and who heard about the ceremony. Ontiveros’s father and Arzola’s family flew in from the couple’s hometown of Las Vegas and brought Arzola’s wedding dress. Since a front-page picture and a story about the wedding ran in The Boston Herald on Saturday, February 24, more gifts have poured in for the couple. “The Herald photographer came by Friday evening with extra copies and enlargements of the pictures he took that day,” said O’Connell. “Someone else from the Herald—we don’t know who—sent in a framed and matted copy of Saturday’s front page. People have sent in Holy Water, ‘Precious Moments’ bride and groom figurines and roses. This story has touched so many people, both in the hospital and beyond.” BWH Public Affairs will also provide a wedding photo album to the newlyweds. “I think I speak on behalf of the staff involved when I say that being able to make this happen for Richard and Michelle, and being a part of their wedding day, has been a wonderful experience,” said Lovett. “It’s a testament to the fact that so much of the work we do here at BWH goes above and beyond just the medical needs of the patient. We really try to help with the spiritual and emotional needs of patients and their families.” “Words cannot express how wonderful the staff has been to us or how thankful Richard and I are for everyone's exceptional efforts in making our wedding possible,” said Arzola. “It has been unbelievable.”