A special message from former City of Walnut Mayor, Joaquin Lim

As a former U.S. Army medic, a teacher, a mayor, and a father, helping others has given my life purpose.

When I came to USC Arcadia Hospital, fighting for my life, I found a community of like-minded people, dedicated to serving others.

Two months ago, I fell ill with COVID-19. I was cared for by a nearby hospital during the height of the surge. After three days, they sent me home with six liters of oxygen to wait it out. I continued to worsen over the next few days. While I didn’t feel short of breath, my oxygen saturation was low at 84%, my fever was 105⁰F, and my heart rate was elevated at 120 beats per minute. I had to seek emergency medical care.

I wanted the best, so I chose USC Arcadia Hospital. While I had never been a patient there before, my friends in Arcadia spoke highly of their skill and compassion.

I checked into the Hollfelder Emergency Care Center on Jan. 17. I was cared for in the emergency department before being transferred to a COVID unit when space was available. During the next 16 days, they helped my body slowly recover from this debilitating disease.

Multiple doctors saw me nearly every day, checking my oxygen levels and my kidneys, which were not functioning optimally. I was given the antiviral medication Remdesivir and high-flow oxygen. Day after day, I found my friends couldn’t have been more right when they told me where to seek care.

My nature is to be particular about everything, but I could not find fault with anything throughout my entire stay. And even with the anxiety, I felt around being so ill, I was not grumpy, but grateful.

I saw three guiding principles at play in everyone serving at USC Arcadia Hospital.

Commitment. The hospital staff and management put patient health - my health - as their No. 1 concern.

Compassion. The doctors, RNs, CNAs, physical therapists, and everyone was just so nice. I could hardly put on my blanket due to weakness, and they helped me every time. And the kitchen made sure I had the cucumber and tomatoes I love. I was so appreciative.

Communication. Staff explained every medication I took and every procedure. And if they didn’t have an answer, they would find out and get back to me soon. I haven’t experienced such transparency and honesty at other facilities.

I am fortunate that I never needed hospital care before catching COVID-19. I feel lucky that I came to USC Arcadia Hospital, and that high-quality specialized care was there when I did need it.

Being reunited with my daughters and granddaughter when I was finally released from rehabilitation in February was the moment I lived for. It was heavenly, and a relief to be home!

People like me are helped every day thanks to the generous support of community members like you. Generosity means that the hospital has the tools, technology, and skilled medical staff to treat you, and the kind and caring team to serve you and your loved ones when you need it.

Your donation today saves or changes a life tomorrow. Please consider making a gift in support of USC Arcadia Hospital as soon as you can. You never know who you will help. It might be your teacher, your mayor, your grandfather, or even you.

Thank you for your thoughtful gift and for serving our community in this important way.