DEAR EDITOR:

In December 2023, we lost our father / husband, Dr. Lamberto T. Lee, MD — a part of the community for over 30 years. We are saddened by his unexpected illness and untimely death and miss him terribly. We would be remiss, however, to acknowledge the incredible people who helped him, and us, in a time that was filled with high emotion, confusion and extreme reactions.

Colleague and friend, Dr. Kapil Kwatra (internist), Dr. Huong T. Nguyen (infectious disease specialist) and Dr. Antoine Chahine (oncologist / hematologist) managed his case with extraordinary kindness and patience; SueAnn, head nurse of ICU was extremely helpful; Dr. James Kondolios spent much time explaining things we didn’t understand and was honest with us, which was invaluable and appreciated.

But we would be criminally negligent if we did not mention the staff at St. Joe’s Mercy Hospital — from the emergency staff, the fourth floor and the sixth-floor staffs, and to the unbelievable caring and personable nurses in the ICU who helped us through every step of the way in his last days and indeed, last hours. Heather, Christian, Bailey and, especially, Barb, made his transition from sick to terminal feel tolerable; and incredibly made his last day exactly as he wanted. Their kindness, compassion and phenomenal human connection was more than we could have hoped for, and all this despite several other losses on the same day. Seeing these individuals who were able to give exceptional care to all the families who were also in grief, is a fair reason we think there are angels among us.

In a time where hospitals, health care in general and sadly, the staff, are up against so much negative press and cuts, these people who give up so much of themselves — who make up the fiber of St. Joe’s — miraculously stayed positive, loving and shared the true meaning behind the Hippocratic oath. St. Joe’s provided staff who showed excellent examples of going above and beyond and we are truly thankful.

We will be having a memorial / celebration of Dr. Lee’s life Sunday, May 5, at the Carl W. Hall Funeral Home. 533 N. Park Ave., Warren. 1 p.m. The family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. until service time at the funeral home. We would love to celebrate him with you, his beloved community, colleagues, and friends.

The Lee family

Warren