Deb Turi-Smith with team members from 4 North

Deb Turi-Smith with Emergency Department team members

When Deb Turi-Smith joined Freehold Area Hospital in 1984 as a young social worker, she quickly fell in love with its mission to serve the community with extraordinary compassion. For 35 years, she dedicated her career to that mission — never imagining she’d one day be on the receiving end of it.

This past July, Deb faced a life-threatening illness. Freehold EMS and Atlantic Health paramedics stabilized her at home and transported her to CentraState Medical Center, where Dr. Van Pelt and the emergency team provided immediate, expert care. From the Critical Care Unit to 4 North, every nurse, technician, and staff member showed her the same compassion she once gave others.

“The hospital I served for 35 years saved my life,” Deb shared. “Their kindness and dedication reminded me why I fell in love with this place decades ago.”

In gratitude, Deb made donations to the CentraState Foundation to support the Emergency Department and 4 North — and is helping establish a scholarship fund for CCU staff pursuing continuing education.

Her story is a powerful reminder that compassion truly comes full circle at CentraState.

To learn more about CentraState’s Grateful Patient Program, please click here.