WHY GROUP HEALTH? MEMBERS SAY IT BEST
A Lifetime of Care at Group Health

Ginny Fairbairn
Member

I have been a member of Group Health since 1954, when I was still living at home with my parents. In the years since then, I've maintained my membership, even when that meant paying for it myself.

I've been to a gynecologist for my two children, who were born at Group Health; urgent care for a broken leg and stitches in my hand; the hospital for gallstones; a neurologist and neurosurgeon for ear surgery; an orthopedic surgeon for knee surgery; eye doctors for all my eye care; and primary care doctors all along the way. I've also been involved in a longitudinal study on aging since 1965.

One of my most memorable care experiences was in 1971 when my 4-year-old daughter nearly died from the Asian flu. We had taken her to the Renton Medical Center to see our pediatrician, Dr. Regale, who sent her directly to Group Health's hospital on Capitol Hill in Seattle. I have no doubt his quick actions saved my daughter's life. She was in the hospital for two full weeks, and it seemed he was there morning, noon, and night. The whole staff was warm, caring, and professional, and my husband and I were very grateful to them all.

In another instance, when I was 31, I went to the clinic with severe abdominal pain. My nurse sent me to the hospital for overnight observation, which may have saved my life. That night I had a pancreatitis attack.

Everything at Group Health is quicker and easier now. I phone in my order to the pharmacy for easy pickup and look forward to learning to order my blood pressure medicine online. When I schedule an appointment with my doctor, I always get a reminder call the day before and seldom have to wait more than 15 minutes. Also, I just got my new medical coverage for next year and was thrilled to find my premium went down. Because of that, I added dental coverage.

POSTED: February 2010

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