In 2019, while staying with family in Indiana, Liao Pao Mien became very ill. “My aunt had been visiting from overseas when she suddenly fell unconscious,” her niece, Shery Grosjean, said. Shery, who has worked for Parkview for more than a decade as a member of the Pharmacy team, was blown away by the way her aunt’s providers supported her during her medical emergency. “The care my aunt received was exceptional and, in a way, thoroughly unexpected. From the moment she arrived at the Parkview Regional Medical Center (PRMC) emergency room by ambulance, she was treated like a family member by her care teams. For the first time in the 14 years that I've had the privilege of serving our community as a member of our amazing organization, I got to personally experience the significance and impact of the not-for-profit work that we do.”
During the course of her treatment, Liao’s loved ones developed a deep respect and appreciation for her medical providers. “My family was incredibly blessed to have Dr. [Guangbin] Xia and Dr. [Joseph] Greenlee III on duty that fateful afternoon. The care, patience, empathy and compassion we received from our ED and CVICU staff will never be forgotten.”
The event was perhaps most stressful for Shery, who had another important family member under the same roof. "My husband had already been admitted to PRMC for about a week at the time," she recalled. "I traveled between my office, CVICU and 7 Medical during those four critical days. My leaders cared so much more about my well-being and my family than my work tasks and responsibilities. That realization solidified our determination to give back to my Parkview family."
Sadly, Liao passed away on August 14, 2019, at the Parkview Heart Institute (PHI).
Painting a legacy for Liao
“Shery and her family have been friends of the Parkview Foundation for many years. They have supported PHI, Pediatric Oncology and Pharmacy,” Jennifer Ledger, grateful patient coordinator, Parkview Foundations, shared. “While working with another Foundation team member in the last few years, the family expressed interest in an art sponsorship at PHI. At the time, there were very few art sponsorships available and then COVID prevented us from really getting on the floors to look for opportunities.”
What Liao’s family couldn’t have known was that a local artist’s hands were busy bringing their wish to fruition. “Fast forward to November of 2022,” Jennifer said. “Jason O’Connell [RN, Parkview Heart Institute], contacted the Parkview Foundation about donating two paintings he had completed. I instantly thought of Shery and her family. I sent her the two options, and they picked the ‘Sheridan’s Bloom’ painting.”
The petals in the painting struck a remarkable resemblance to those captured in one of the family’s favorite pictures of Liao. When Shery saw it for the first time, she couldn’t believe how perfect it was to honor her aunt’s memory and the connection it had to the women in her life. “It felt absolutely surreal!” Shery said. “Pink hydrangeas stood for this unspoken pact between my mom and her late sister. Hydrangeas blossom bountifully for only a short while, but we know the flowers will return each year, just like our visits from loved ones overseas.” Their selection was a tribute with ties to promises kept and a nod to one of the last images of their beloved family member, “taken in my cousin’s yard just mere months before she entered Heaven’s gate.”
A sweet dedication
Last month, the Foundation organized a gathering with Shery, Helen Wang (Liao’s sister), Michelle Chiang (Liao’s sister), Jet Lin (Liao’s son) and Lisa Lin (Liao’s daughter-in-law) in front of a very special wall.
\“We were able to bring her family together to reveal the painting along with the sponsorship plaque,” Jennifer said. “They were in tears instantly, as they looked up at it. It takes my breath away, the emotion brought on by Jason’s painting, created before he knew a family was looking for a sponsorship for their aunt. That photo of their aunt, one of the last taken of her, was so similar to his painting. It was like he knew that this piece was for this family. After the reveal, I turned to Jason and said, ‘You were meant to create this painting and the Foundation was meant to receive it for the purpose of blessing this family.’”
For Shery and her family, the blushing petals are a brilliant reminder of the love they continue to hold for Liao and the blessings she brought to them with every visit. “It means everything to have a piece of her live on at the place where she departed from this life,” Shery said. “It brings tremendous comfort to feel that she isn’t really gone.”
Generosity plays an important role in the work our health system does, and The Parkview Foundations are grateful to all of the donors who support their efforts. You can learn more about how to make a gift by visiting parkview.com/foundations.
