Pauline Towers-Dykeman

On New Year’s Day of 2023, Pauline was introducing a visiting friend to some of the great slopes at Teton Village, when she suddenly collapsed. Taken by ambulance to St. John’s Health emergency department, her care team swiftly utilized a CT scan to identify a perforation in her bowel. 36 hours later, despite an aggressive regime of antibiotics, Pauline faced emergency surgery to address a new life-threatening reality: a full rupture in her abdomen. After major surgery and four days in the Intensive Care Unit, Pauline was on the road to recovery.

Pauline’s mother in law had suffered a similar event in 1998, and ultimately succumbed to her infection. “It’s amazing to think of what my husband went through, losing his mother, and then having his wife face the same thing,” she reflects. “But I had an entirely different outcome due to the highly trained and experienced doctors, nurses, and diagnostic equipment that’s available at St. John’s Health.”

Today, she reflects on her experience with profound gratitude. The excellent staff at St. John’s Health provided unsurpassed medical care when she needed it most and offered compassionate support in a place that felt like home. “To not have to go somewhere outside of Jackson to receive care is priceless,” Pauline says. “Among my nurses in the ICU, there were several people I knew and recognized, which really creates trust.”

“Every single person provided heartfelt, generous, incredible care and spoke highly of working for St. John’s Health,” she recalls. “When it comes to these wonderful members of the team, we need to care for them so they can care for the community.” Pauline believes that both staying close to home and being cared for by people she felt connected to helped speed her recovery. “It really makes a difference. It has a dramatic impact on patient confidence and trust.”

St. John's Health Foundation works collaboratively with St. John’s Health to ensure that employees have access to exceptional ongoing education as well as other resources for their own wellbeing. Pauline — and her loved ones — are all boundlessly grateful for the programs and individuals that collectively ensured her quick and thorough recovery.