WHAT OUR PATIENTS SAY:

Here are some comments that we have received from our patients, in cards and letters, and in response to our post-appointment questionnaire:

1. Were you satisfied with the initial telephone contact you had with us? Could anything more have been said to lessen your fears? Was all of the information accurate or was misleading information given? What was most helpful? Other comments?
2. Did you have any problems with transportation or hotel accommodations? In what way could we have been more helpful?
3. Any comments about our facility, waiting rooms, initial questionnaire and/or literature?
4. How did you feel about your counselor/counseling?
5. Comments or suggestions for the nursing staff?
6. Any comments about the doctor or the procedure itself?
7. How did you feel the first hour or two after the abortion?
8. One of our overall goals has been to try to make this a positive experience for you. We hope that through your contact with us and the way you were considered here - that you came to understand your own feelings better. Have we succeeded in doing this, and if so, how?
 
"(3) The facility was great in general, we felt safe, and everything was clean, soothing and the music in the waiting room was comforting. (4) She comforted us through this difficult time and was sincere and kind. (5) They were great always making us feel like nothing was any trouble for them to do. They treat us with care and love. (6) The doctor is the greatest person I have ever met or will ever meet. The procedure was smooth and never did I feel as if I was not to be heard. (8) Yes, you have. Because you have given me the chance that no one else could have given. We greatly appreciate everything the facility and the doctor has done for us. "
 
"The medical staff is very supportive and their positive attitude is very assuring. To handle serious matters such as this without condemning is commendable. Love and thanks."
 
"(1) All initial information was extremely informative. The web site referral was excellent and the site was informative. (3) Excellent - Security was reassuring, and all information provided was excellent. Articles written and doctor information was extremely important. (6) I commend the doctor on being a pioneer in this field and defending this right so wholeheartedly. His dedication and beliefs are inspirational."
 
"(6) Dr. Hern made me feel at ease and made me feel that he cared about me personally."
 
Your staff treated me with sensitivity and professionalism throughout the two days I visited your office. Everyone, from the reception staff who originally answered my phone call to the nurse who took my blood to the very capable doctor, was only too ready to answer all of my questions and help me in remaining calm and as comfortable as possible - both emotionally as well as physically. I don’t know what kind of special training your staff receives to help them in caring for people in crisis so exceptionally, but it is most definitely worth all the time spent on it.
I am so grateful that there are doctors, nurses and other health care professionals like yourselves who are not intimidated by the right wing climate of fear which would relegate women like me and the other normal women I met at your office to a back alley and a coat hanger. And while I don’t intend to ever require care of this kind again, I will continue to be politically active in protecting the rights of other women to access it in times of need.
Thank you all for your everyday courage and determination to continue this much-needed service in a clean, educational and comforting atmosphere. I would like them [your staff] all to know that I very much admire them and want to thank them all for the kind care I received.
 
"(8) Yes, definitely. I didn’t feel bashed or belittled. I feel at ease with my decision. Before I came here I felt disgusted with myself but you made me feel like it was OK and you were all here to help."
 
"(1) Yes, impressed with opportunity to speak directly to the doctor. Information extremely accurate (literature helpful). (5) Nursing staff is sympathetic and supportive; everyone very committed to supporting women at this time - Thank you! (6) Very impressed with the doctor’s concern for both individuals and the larger issues at hand. "
 
"Overall, I was very impressed with the facilities and the staff. Knowing that I was one of the women able to take advantage of these services makes me realize how important it is for any and all to have access to safe abortions. I commend everyone involved in providing such a supportive environment and continuing to provide quality services in an area not always socially acceptable, in trying times. Thank you once again. "
 
"Before coming, my friend researched about the Boulder [Abortion] Clinic and about Dr. Hern. We found it to be the best out of the ones we checked out. I am impressed with his determination to want to help women in their time of trouble. He doesn’t make us feel like lab rats or failures. He treated me with feelings. The whole staff was great. I feel comfortable with the decision I made and I have all of you to thank."
 
"Thank you all so very much for helping us through this time in our lives. Thank you for taking care of my daughter and your kind words to me. May God Bless You All And Keep You Safe."
 
"(8) Yes, very much so. The whole staff was very friendly which made this seem so much better. Everyone was very supportive...and they all helped me out so much. Thanks. "
 
"(5) Great staff, very caring and compassionate. (6) Dr. Hern was very nice, caring, and considerate."
 
"(3) Everything was very thorough, and it felt very safe and secure here. (5) The staff was very comforting and compassionate! (6) The doctor has good bedside manner and is a real calm person. He walked me through each step of the procedure. (8) Knowledge and compassion from the staff made this a more positive experience! "
 
"(1) I am so glad this facility is here. (3) Everything about this facility was professional and very understanding. (4) I love her. (5) Nursing staff was wonderful. (6) Dr. Hern was very informative and professional. I thought he was fantastic. "
 
"(2) There was no way the staff could have been more helpful. (3) Extremely clean facility and sterile. Literature written by Dr. Hern, excellent. (4) She handled my attitude with dignity..."
 
"(6) ...he told funny jokes. (8) You were helpful in keeping this positive."
 
"Dear Doctor Hern and staff, Thank you so much for having the courage to perform these operations and withstand all obstacles. May God bless you to continue to give women another chance."
 
"Everyone has been extremely helpful and friendly. Dr. Hern is very kind and polite. He made me feel at ease and made me laugh. One of a kind doctor. He was interested in me as a person."
 
"(8) By encouraging me and helping me every step of the way. Also by asking me about my future goals and plans. (7) Relieved and happy. "
 
"(5) Everyone was friendly and caring, as well as comfortable with and professional at what they’re doing. (6) Dr. Hern is considerate and kind. I am very impressed with him. The procedure was well explained and mercifully quick. (8) I put a great deal of thought in before coming. The staff here was understanding and willing to listen, making the procedure easier to go through. I’d call this a very positive experience. I also appreciated all the info I found on your web site. Learning more about the procedure and Dr. Hern calmed any residual fear/anxiety I had."
 
"(3) Facility made me feel "safe." (6) The doctor is not only a wonderful and caring man, he’s got a great sense about himself, almost as if he "knows" what your feelings [are]. Truly a wonderful man. (8) Yes. You have exceeded what I expected. I realized my feelings were okay, that I was not a "bad" person for having an abortion."
 
"All of you were wonderful to me during a very difficult time. People that are good people I would like to know better outside the office and this environment. Thank you so much!"
 
"(5) I would just like to say thank you for being so kind and treating me with such respect. (6) Dr. Hern was very funny and enjoyable. The procedure was just what the staff said it would be. (8) Yes, talking with the staff made me feel that even though some people don’t believe in abortion, it is still a good decision to make. "
 
"The staff here was extremely friendly. If I had any fear coming in here it was all eliminated when I started talking to the staff. I think this is the best staff I have ever seen. And that is coming from years of experience growing up in hospitals. Thank you for caring so much."
 
"(5) I love how everyone is so talkative and friendly. They took the time to learn my name and ask me how I was doing. (6) The doctor puts his heart into his work and that makes me feel good. (8) Yes. Because everyone is so understanding. I came in here not feeling too great about the whole thing, but the nurses made me feel, really think about and realize that this doesn’t make me bad because it’s the best thing and it’s my choice. They made me feel better about myself."
 
"(5) Their concern for me as a patient was evident. (6) Thank you for being there for the choice we made. (8) It was a very emotional time for us and we are thankful to the wonderful staff. Your receptionist was the first person we talked to. Her positive and caring attitude was conveyed over the phone. Again thank you for allowing me to be able to make the choice."
 
Comentarios de nuestros pacientes
1. Quedó Ud. contenta con nuestro primer contacto telefónico?
2. Que otras cosas pudimos haberle dicho para calmarle sus temores?
3. Que información piensa Ud. que no fué clara o correcta?
4. Que le dijimos que no hemos debido haberle dicho, y que no le dijimos que debimos haberle dicho?
5. Que fué lo que más la ayudó de nuestro primer contacto telefónico?
6. Tuvo Ud. algún problema con el viaje o con el hotel, y en que forma hubiéramos podido ayudarla mejor?
7. Que opina de nuestro lugar, salas de espera, cuestionarios, literaturas, etc.?
8. Que opina de la consejera y como se sintió con ella?
9. Que opina de las enfermeras?
10. Que opina del doctor y de la operación?
11. Como se sintió la primera y segunda hora después de la operación?
12. Una de nuestras metas ha sido tratar de hacer de su estadía aquí una experiencia positiva para Ud. Esperamos que por medio del contacto con nosotros y de la forma como fué tratada aquí, Ud. haya entendido mejor sus propios sentimientos. Por favor díganos si hemos tenido o no buen éxcito y por qué?
 
"(2) Yo se que todas las personas que trabajan aqui estan muy bien preparadas y con lo que le explican y dicen es suficiente. (8) Explica muy bien y entiendo todo lo que va a pasar me senti muy confiada con ella. (12) Claro que han tenido exito porque me gusto su forma de trabajar y yo en lo personal me senti muy bien."
 
"(5) Lo que nos ayudo fue que hablan nuestro idioma espanol. (10) Pensamos es buen doctor."
 
These are responses from our patients, their partners and families who have come to our clinic for interruption of desired pregnancies for reasons of fetal anomalies or medical indications.

"Dear Dr. Hern and all your wonderful staff,
I want to thank you for all your support and understanding in my times of sorrow and need. I have never met a doctor in my life that has shown so much compassion for his patient as you did for me! You all helped me and supported me when I had to make the hardest decision in my life. Although the pain in my heart is still here, I am thankful I am still here to take care of my other children. Thank you all much more than I can ever express. I couldn't have made it without you and kept my sanity."

"Dr. Hern and his staff complement each other in a very positive way. I was treated with respect, understanding, compassion and support. The staff was attentive and kind. This most difficult situation was made easier because of the kind of care that I received. The privacy and respect for that privacy that was given to me was extremely helpful. I am very grateful and appreciative of the gentle way that I was cared for while I was there. Thank you for being here for me during this very delicate and difficult time in our lives."
 
"Dear Dr. Hern and All Clinic Staff,
It is important to me to write this note to let you all know how grateful both of us are for your professionalism and support through the emotional decision and planning we had to make on very short (near panicked) notice. Both of us now take particular comfort in the confidence we gained regarding my medical treatment, as well as the respect we received on our decision. Once again, thank you all for your care and support and for our freedom to choose."
 
"I was very impressed with both you and your staff. You were all very knowledgeable and compassionate and I greatly appreciate that. Thank you again, Dr. Hern. I will never forget how you helped me (and my family) through a very sad and unfortunate ordeal."
 
"I am so grateful to live in this age where I have the choice to have an abortion. I am even more grateful that people like you and your staff were there to help me. You were kind and invited me into your office before the procedure. I felt safe and cared for. I don't know what I would have done if it wasn't for your clinic and, as I later learned, the pivotal role you played in young women's rights to choose for themselves. I just want you to know that I feel that you saved my life."
 
"We just wanted to drop you a quick note to express our sincere appreciation for your sound level of professionalism and even more, for your sincere human touch. During a time that is most difficult and sad, you and your unique staff were able to reach out with tears, arms, hands and words of compassion. It was not easy, but you made it better. Thank you sincerely."
 
"I accompanied my friend to your clinic for a late-term abortion. I just wanted to let you know how much you truly changed her life and how much you have inspired me in my own life to help change the world in a positive way. You are an angel on earth, Dr. Hern. I am compelled to write to you because I am so grateful for your work. Please don't ever forget how much we love and need you."
 
"This was a very difficult decision for me to make from the very beginning. I was scared and confused. When I called the clinic the first time, the nurse was kind and comforting. From the moment I arrived at the clinic, the ladies here were like no one I've met. Everyone here treated me like a real person and took the time and patience out of their busy schedule to listen to me and give me a hug. These ladies took the time to know me and my family, who they never met."

"I am writing this letter to thank you for your exceptional performance and dedication to the field of medicine.  Your superb knowledge and actions have directly improved the healthcare of women all over the world.  I have worked with many medical professionals and you are indeed a very special individual.  The world certainly would benefit by having more individuals like you. You are brilliant, professional, and compassionate.  I will always be grateful to you." 

"1. Very satisfied.  prompt call return in a very scary situation.  Thank you! All info was accurate.  All staff was very sympathetic to our situation.
6. Never have we met a more courageous person as Dr. Hern.  Never stop fighting for what you believe in and know that you SAVE lives and futures of all those you care for.
Comment:
  Liked Dr. & staff's compassion.  Very caring & understanding of our unique situation See our letter to Dr. & staff.  Dr's reputation preceded him.  Can't thank him enough for his life-long struggle & committment to his career and the rights of women everywhere!  We feel as if he has saved our lives and given us a second chance to bring a healthy baby into it.
  For if it were not for Dr. Hern, we are certain that one, if not all, of our lives would be over.  Words cannot thank you enough but, thank you.
  If you ever need someone to speak publicly on your behalf, please don't hesitate to contact us.  We are forever grateful to you & your staff.  Choice is not always an easy decision, but should always be a RIGHT.
 Letter (from same couple)
  A letter to the Doctors & Nurses of the B.A.C.:
      Thank god for your work & courage.  For if it were not for all of you who fight for women's rights to choose, my wife and I might not have survived to make our future family.  Words cannot describe our gratitude & appreciation for your courage, professionalism & sheer love for helping others in need.
   Your lifelong commitment in fighting this battle for women's rights will never be forgotten in this family.
   Don't ever forget the value and importance of what you do, for it is what you do and how you do it that makes this world a better place.  We mean this from the bottom of our hearts.  Thank you and god bless you all.  Keep fighting for what is right! "