A St. Mary’s Medical Center physician who refused to give up on his patient received an emotional thank-you when the family returned in person to express their gratitude, reports Alicia Vetarelli of 6ABC. 

Gene Drak’s wife, a nurse, contracted COVID-19 in December. She inadvertently spread it to him. He spent 22 days at St. Mary’s with a team of 20 healthcare professionals at his side 24/7. 

Things got grim. He was put on a ventilator, and his wife (who had recovered) was told not to expect too much. In fact, the dire fact was that Gene might not make it. 

But Drak’s physician, Dr. Ben Solomon, dug in harder to ensure that Drak would return home. 

And that he did. 

The Draks then made the decision to do something tangible for Dr. Solomon. They organized a COVID-safe family thank-you to the physician who was determined to keep their dad alive. 

“I feel great,” said Drak as they stood outside the hospital. “I’m excited. I don’t need oxygen. I can walk without the walker. 

“I just want to thank you and your team for all of your support for those 22 days,” he continued. “I just want to remind you that when you were trying to cheer me up, you said we were going to wrestle one day. I’m almost ready!” 
 
More detail on this emotional reunion is available at 6ABC, here.