Unsolicited Patient Letters

"...I am grateful that you found a compassionate physician in Dr. Kimmel, a physician willing to go the extra mile to ensure that you received the necessary care." - Chief Medical Officer of a large hospital, 2006

“I wish to express my appreciation to St. Luke’s laser surgery center and to Dr. Andrew Kimmel. They were both instrumental in preserving my eyesight from complications of diabetes. As a writer, my vision is especially precious to me and I count myself fortunate to have such a fine medical facility and skilled physician available to me.” – Patient, 2006

“My family is calling me the “miracle girl.” One and a half years ago, my life was turned upside down as I faced the possibility of losing my sight because of macular degeneration… Last week, I received a favorable report from Dr. Kimmel. On behalf of my family and myself, I would like to extend my deepest appreciation for the medical eye care that Dr. Kimmel provided… We want to thank Dr. Kimmel who patiently and lovingly brought his talent and training to my care. I am struck by his marvelous ability to perform his healing work with such concern and skill.” – Patient, 2005

“I am writing this letter to share with you my experience with one of St. Luke’s fine doctors, Dr. Andrew S. Kimmel… Despite his busy schedule, I was given an appointment the following morning. Without Dr. Kimmel’s skill in laser surgery and his quick response to my problem, I know I would now be blind in that eye. …although his manner is always professional, I always have the feeling that he really cares. To me, that is equally as important as his skill.” – Patient

“Having been a diabetic for over 30 years, I know the importance of expert care for the eyes. Dr. Kimmel has treated me for diabetic retinopathy for the past 10 years. His treatment plan over the years has helped me greatly. I attribute my current eyesight to his continued support and attention to my condition.” – Patient, 2005

“I have been a patient of Dr. Andrew Kimmel for over 20 years. Dr. Kimmel has diagnosed and treated me for Central Serous Retinopathy and recently for macular degeneration…. Dr. Kimmel is a highly skilled professional, who without his expertise my vision in the right eye would have been lost... Dr. Kimmel is also a proficient communicator; his ability to explain the procedures and treatments made me a very calm patient… I have and will continue to recommend to family and friends my outstanding eye doctor, Dr. Kimmel…” – Patient, 2005

"…If not for Dr. Kimmel’s thorough exam several years ago, my left carotid artery blockage would not have been diagnosed. Dr. Kimmel also performed laser surgery on my left eye due to small vessel hemorrhages. I have always felt that Dr. Kimmel saved my life.” – Patient, 2006

"We called Dr. Kimmel after our son’s eye suddenly began to hurt and his vision became cloudy. Despite his obviously busy patient load, Dr. Kimmel made an appointment to examine our son on the following morning. Because of his long experience, he suspected that our son’s optic neuritis might be connected to Multiple Sclerosis. Dr. Kimmel immediately sent our son across the street for an MRI scan, then subsequently scheduled a next day appointment with one of Philadelphia’s pre-eminent neuro-ophthalmologists who confirmed the diagnosis and began an immediate treatment course. As a result of Dr. Kimmel’s quick response, our son’s vision was restored and his nascent Multiple Sclerosis has been, so far, fairly mild. Dr. Kimmel managed our son's case from eye pain to diagnosis and treatment in just 48 hours!” – Patient’s parents, 2004

“I am eternally grateful to you for listening to me when I came to you, for knowing I was telling you something isn't right with me, for getting me that MRI, for the phone call that filled me with reassurance and strength… You are a professional and compassionate man. You were blessed with a gift to help others and I am truly thankful for finding you… Carpe diem… May you know you are in my prayers.” - Patient

“Thank you for the excellent care you gave me – but ‘thank you’ is not adequate… The dedication you have to what you do – and certainly to my particular condition – has been and is outstanding. You are genuine in your care and concern, which means so much. And of course – your professionalism and expertise are exemplary. I presented you with an unusual case… and you obviously have done a great job. I always have felt in the best of hands. I see a little more each day and I owe that to you.” – Patient, 2001

"...We feel blessed knowing that there are doctors like you who are available and who extend themselves like you - during very stressful times... It has been very difficult emotionally these last few days, but your excellent care and manner truly gave us peace of mind in knowing that we had the best possible care." - Patient, 2002

"...I have been a patient of Dr. Kimmel for more than two years and to say I am very grateful doesn't really cover it, but what can you say to someone who has saved your eyesight... Without the dedication and caring of not only Dr. Kimmel but also his entire staff I do not know what my life would be like today." - Patient

"...Without this treatment, I would probably be blind now. Thanks to it, and to Dr. Kimmel and the staff at both his office and the hospital, I'm not... The staff at Doctor Kimmel's office and at the Eye Laser Center could not have been kinder or more reassuring. They got to know me well, and I got to know them by name, and I think they treat all of their patients the same way... It's so pleasant to have that personal touch, and takes some of the anxiety and fear away." - Patient, 2004

"I am writing this letter to sing the praises of one of your physicians on the staff at St. Luke's Hospital. I was referred to Andrew Kimmel by my family doctor... and... my eye physician. I was apprehensive about my first visit, as I was told by ... that I was losing my vision due to diabetes. As I waited in Dr. Kimmel's office, I spoke to many of his patients, they had nothing but great things to say about him, and many stated that he has helped them with their vision and serious eye disease... He is like one of the doctors I had as a child, kind, listened to my concerns, answered my questions in layman's terms and above all I never feel rushed out and that I am only a file number. I am very comfortable." - Patient, 2006

"I am a 70 year old female with Parkinson's Disease. Having been associated in the medical field for many years as an R.N. working the gamut of care from... I feel I have a good basis for my opinions of nursing care. Dr. Kimmel and his staff... are the kindest, most knowledgeable and efficient group I have been lucky enough to be cared for. There are no questions; needs, courtesies, comforts that are performed for patients - all performed gracefully, as a natural outpouring of their care for patients." - Patient, 2007

"I feel Dr. Kimmel and his staff do an excellent job. If it was not for Dr. Kimmel, I may not have the sight I now have. It is now 100% better than when I started there. I finally have confidence in a doctor. Dr. Kimmel is the best doctor around. I have recommended him to some of our friends with similar problems. He is the BEST!!!" - Patient, 2006

"First, I want to let you know how fortunate I feel to have you as my retina specialist. I appreciate your care, knowledge, abilities, and I appreciate your staff, too. Thank you." - Patient, 2007

"Words could never express how grateful we are for all you have done for me and my wife... Please enjoy this small gift we give you with the thanks and gratefulness it is intended. Knowing it could never make up for the incredible gift you have given us. You are a hero in our eyes and a great man with great talents. We thank God every day for you." - Patient's spouse, 2007

"Of all the doctors I have, you're the doctor I trust the most." - Patient (mayor of one of Lehigh Valley's largest boroughs), 2007

"The staff's friendliness and helpfulness is a great help in reducing stress/fear of the situation." - Patient, 2007

"This letter is long overdue, but it must reach the right people so that the facts are known to everyone involved.

It should be known by all people contacted by this letter that had it not been for your diligence as an amazing doctor, I feel that my wife would not be alive today. Because of your great expertise, you not only saved my wife’s eyesight, by performing almost impossible laser surgery on her eyes, but because you listened and paid close attention to her complaints about her headaches, you ordered the proper tests that discovered a tumor growing in the back of the nasal area and under the frontal lobe of the brain.

Your quick action has given me and my wife a chance to survive this ordeal. If you took no action, the rapid growth of this tumor would have surely killed her in months we were told. You caught it just in time and as I write this letter, we are waiting on a second surgery to remove the remainder of it from the front lobe and right sinus area.

There are really no words to express my gratitude to you. You are a great doctor and a genuine hero in my eyes. You had the courage to step beyond your boundaries and order testing that saved my wife’s life and also my life in many ways. I would like to express how thankful we are that St. Luke’s Hospital and your associates have you on their staff. It is doctors like you that give us faith in people and our medical practice.

We can only say thank you so much for a second chance at life and thank you, Doctor Kimmel for going beyond your duties to help us in our time of need. You will always have a special place in our hearts.

To St. Luke’s and your immediate superiors, I would like to say that people like Doctor Kimmel are the reason you are the best in the Lehigh Valley. You all have our sincerest gratitude." – Patient, 2007

"On a personal note, I would like to personally thank you for the wonderful care you have been providing my wife. It is truly appreciated. It is very comforting to know that there are Doctors like you out there." - Patient, 2007

"I wish all of my doctors would move from _____ Hospital to St. Luke's Hospital. I love you guys!" - Patient, 2007

"You are the greatest in your field, and I enjoy working with you on my eyes. The treatments you give me are outstanding. I appreciate this." - Patient, 2007

"Dr. Kimmel, there isn't another doctor like you! You are the greatest!" - Patient, 2007

"Sorry I didn’t see the article in the paper sooner because I have seen such improvement with Lucentis I would have had it done sooner." - Patient, 2007

"You are a true doctor. The others just line you up and that’s it." - Patient, 2007

"Thank you for the opportunity of participating in the TV show. It certainly was a lot of fun.

I want you to know how much you helped me. When my eyes were going bad I was really upset. Then when you told me you could help me and help me you did - it was like a miracle.

You are a caring doctor. You are the star.

P.S., Tell your nurses they are terrific." - Patient, 2008

"I wanted to take a moment to make you aware of the excellent care I recently received from Dr. Andrew Kimmel and his staff at the Retina Center. On May 29, 2008, I arrived at the Emergency Room in the morning after experiencing a few episodes of blindness at home. I was taken to the Retina Center for testing during the morning and Dr. Kimmel treated me. He provided an explanation of all of the tests he performed. I was grateful for not only his promptness in seeing me, but also the amount of time he spent with me. I also appreciated his thoroughness in recommending the testing of my carotid arteries to help identify the source of the blindness I had experienced.

I would like to draw attention to two of his staff members: Cindy and the woman who photographed my eyes (unfortunately I do not have her name). Both could sense how upset I was and did everything possible to calm my fears. Cindy even came to the Emergency Room with information for a subsequent appointment. She graciously took the time to explain the test results to my husband and daughter. When I went to Dr. Kimmel for the follow-up appointment he had the results of all of the other tests performed during my stay at the hospital to review with me.

I cannot stress enough how wonderful I was treated by Dr. Kimmel and his staff. I would also like to thank the Emergency Room doctor who treated me, Dr. Dornblaser. The professionalism, care and compassion given to me and my family by all of these individuals were exemplary." – Patient, 2008

"Now I don't need glasses for reading. It is wonderful stuff!" - Patient after having Intravitreal Lucentis, 2009

"Your kind gesture was much like described all of you.

Our lives will be forever changed. The memories will carry us through the difficult times." - Patient

"Thank you for all of your concern and care. Know that I will continue to hold you in prayer in "South Philly." - Patient

"You all go above and beyond any doctor's office that I know. Thank you for all of your hard work and caring." - Patient

"Thank you for the wonderful care. ________ spoke so well of you.

I will miss him dearly." - Patient's spouse

Bless you for caring so much." - Patient's spouse

"On behalf of ______ and our family, thank you for sending your comforting words. Thanks also for the years of excellent care you provided to ____________. She had high grades for your office." - Patient's spouse

"_________ thought of your group as one in a million - extremely caring and compassionate - not just as professionals, but as people too.

He would always brag about how much you did for him helping with his eyesight and what nice people you were to him and - trust us, he told it like it was.

It is not often you encounter a doctor and staff of this magnitude, so thank you for everything you did for our father, grandfather and friend." - Patient's relatives