Celebrating Mother's Day: a family’s heartwarming journey of love and healing at Lutheran Medical Center

For Stacey Dozer and her sister, Tammy McCoy, decades of seeing God's healing and grace through the staff at Lutheran has been a blessing. Their families’ decades-long journey?at Lutheran Medical Center is a testament to resilience, love, and the unwavering support of a compassionate medical team.??

Through the highs of births and the lows of devastating losses and cancer treatments, Lutheran has been more than a hospital; it's been a sanctuary of hope,?healing, and love for their family.??

The journey began in 1973 when Connie Finfrock, Stacey’s mom, gave birth to her at Lutheran. In the mid-1970s,?Connie began working at Lutheran. She served as birth certificate registrar, in the medical records department, and then as an assistant to the president.?

When Stacey was nine years old, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.?

“My mom and I were extremely close, so it was an incredibly difficult time,” said Stacey. “She had her cancer treatment and surgery at Lutheran and the staff there was incredible. I love the mission at Lutheran and the way they care for patients like their own family. There is so much love within those walls and you can feel God’s presence every time you walk inside.”?

Sadly, Stacey’s mom lost her battle to cancer when Stacey was just 13 years old.??

In 2017, Stacey was also diagnosed with breast cancer and had her treatment at Lutheran.?

“Today, I’m cancer-free,” said Stacey. “I’m so grateful for all the healing that has taken place at Lutheran over the years. I walked in with my mom and walked out without her all those years ago. I walked in with cancer and walked out without it. I gave birth to my children at Lutheran, so I walked in pregnant and walked out a mother. I’m so grateful for my faith and God’s healing, and the love, compassion, and care from Lutheran that made the journey much more bearable. What the hospital and the people who work their mean to our family has been extraordinary.”?

Stacey’s sister, Tammy, was born at Lutheran in 1968 and gave birth to her two children there. In 2004, she joined Good Samaritan as a medical surgical nurse until 2016 when she transitioned to an outpatient observation manager. After Stacey was diagnosed with breast cancer, Tammy transferred to Platte Valley in 2020. Since then, she's served as the breast care navigator, helping other women who experienced what her sister and mother went through.?

Last month, Stacey’s oldest daughter, Linneah, gave birth to Stacey’s first grandchild at Lutheran. Her youngest daughter, Reanna, is currently studying to be a nurse.??

“She has always said how amazing would it be to get to work at Lutheran and be the hands and feet of Jesus to others like Lutheran has been to us,” said Stacey.??

“It warms my heart to think of all the life and love Lutheran has given to us,” Stacey said. “They’ve helped us navigate some of the best and hardest times of our lives. There have been many tears, joyous moments and so much perseverance, but our faith has remained, and God stayed close and we’re so grateful for the beauty and healing Lutheran has provided.”