LCRH Patients Enjoy Surprise Visit
Photo submitted
Santa made his traditional trek to Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital patients on Christmas Eve, where he enjoyed visiting patients. Little Emmaline Chitwood got special attention from Santa during this year’s visit. Her parents, Jordan Rowe and Zachary Chitwood, of Stearns were pleased to pose with Emmaline for her very first picture with Santa. Proud grandparents of the newborn are Trena Rowe and Tim Rowe and John and Kimberly Chitwood.
The spirit of Christmas was alive and well at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital on Christmas Eve as Santa made a side trip to visit LCRH patients before starting his famous around-the-world jaunt to visit all the good little boys and girls.
For little Emmaline Saige Chitwood, Santa’s timing couldn’t have been better. He got there just in time to add his own personal Christmas Eve greeting and to welcome the precious newborn into the world just in time for Christmas.
Other visitors and patients were also delighted to see the familiar bearded man in the red suit as he made his way down the hallways, going from room to room to extend hearty “Merry Christmas” wishes to everyone.
“We realize it is difficult to be hospitalized anytime – but especially so during the holidays,” stated Susan Ramsey Wilson, LCRH director of marketing and community relations. “These visits from Santa help lift the spirits of our patients and give us the opportunity to share the joy of the season.”
This annual Christmas Eve visit is an important part of the Christmas holiday for many LCRH team members. Santa and his helpers (Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital team members, along with family members and LCRH Health Career Explorers) take time from their busy holiday schedules to visit each hospitalized patient to deliver an extra measure of Christmas spirit along with festive bags of fruit and candy canes provided by the hospital.
“The excitement of seeing Santa seems to transcend all generations and his visit brings pleasure to patients and guests of all ages, “concluded Wilson. “Hopefully, the visit helped make Christmas a bit brighter for our patients and their loved ones.”
