| MultiCare Volunteer Services |
Matt Ragen
A Comforting Presence
The idea that emergency department (ED) patients and their families view Matt Ragan’s gentle calming presence as a heavenly comfort is not really a surprise. It was a near death experience that brought him to our ED, and since his recovery, Matt has made it his mission to be available to families undergoing similar experiences.
Just after Matt started the program, he saw the doctor who had saved his life. After explaining his connection to the doctor, Matt was invited to a doctors' meeting as a living example of what emergency physicians rarely receive – “the rest of the story,” or what happens after a patient received emergency treatment.
Matt, along with Karon Manisco, piloted the program of Comfort Rounds in the ED. Matt and Karon's desire to volunteer in a way that is meaningful to both them made for a natural duo to begin expanding the Comfort Rounds service. Matt himself is already receiving positive reviews on patient comment cards.
Our gentle, thoughtful Matt takes his celebrity in stride. After all, once your life has been saved, what better to spend it than giving back.