07/24/2026
When Katee, Community Engagement Director at Hugh Chatham Health, watched her dad Robert’s care journey unfold, the work she sees every day suddenly felt much closer to home.
After a serious fall left Robert with a broken femur, he was evaluated at Hugh Chatham Health before being transferred to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist for advanced surgical care. Throughout the transition, Katee witnessed firsthand how the two organizations worked together to provide a coordinated, patient-centered experience.
Jeffrey Hinshaw, physician assistant of emergency medicine, helped ease the fear before surgery, orthopaedic trauma surgeon Dr. Sharon Babcock gave her family peace of mind, and the J. Paul Sticht Center on Aging and Rehabilitation teams helped Robert regain strength and confidence.
During recovery, Robert continued to receive exceptional care from a thoughtful and compassionate nursing team. He often said his nurse, Riley, brought “sunshine” to him every day.
As Robert rebuilt his strength and learned the importance of slowing down, Rachel from Physical Therapy, Robin from Occupational Therapy, and others from the rehab team spent meaningful time with him, offering care, compassion, and encouragement. Trusty, the facility dog and a member of the Recreation Therapy team, also brought comfort during rehab.
Some of the most meaningful moments came from simple acts of kindness: Beverly from Food and Nutrition delivering delicious meals, Martin and Anthony from Environmental Services keeping Robert’s surroundings clean with a smile, and Joy, his case manager, helping the family navigate next steps.
For Katee, the experience was both personal and professional. As a teammate at Hugh Chatham Health, she witnessed Hugh Chatham Health and Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist come together with a shared commitment to delivering exceptional care for someone she loves and the communities we serve.
“Together, we are stronger.”
