A Helping Hand

"For Dr. Jason Antunez, what he did for LVMC emergency department patient Michael McDermott was “all in a day’s work.”

But for Mr. McDermott’s wife, Susan, it was nothing short of extraordinary.

In mid-August, Mr. McDermott took a tumble at his home, and broke his shoulder. After her husband’s treatment at LVMC’s Emergency Department, Mrs. McDermott wondered how she would get her medicated husband from the ER to their car, and then into their home, safely.

That’s when Dr. Antunez did something that stunned the anxious Mrs. McDermott.
“I’ll follow you home and help,” the doctor told her.
She recalled being shocked – “Can you do that?” she asked.
As it was midnight, and the end of his 12-hour shift, Dr. Antunez affirmed to her that he would be happy to help out. “I wouldn’t offer to do it if it were in the middle of my shift,” he admitted.
Mrs. McDermott said she’s always had great experiences at the hospital in their almost 30 years in the community, but this time, the assistance from the physician was “pretty amazing,” she said. Registered Nurse Brandy Sanchez was a huge help as well, she added.

The doctor followed her home, and with help from the couple’s daughter, Erin, got Mr. McDermott situated.
“I just couldn’t believe it,” Mrs. McDermott said. “I still can’t believe it.”

Dr. Jason Antunez
Dr. Antunez is a graduate of Dos Pueblos High School in Goleta and UC Santa Barbara, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in applied science in 2000. He earned his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine.
His interest in a medical career began at an early age – he idolized his childhood pediatrician, Dr. Medina. “He was so cool,” Dr. Antunez recalled. “He was a hero.”

He opted to practice emergency medicine instead of pediatrics, however, because he “likes figuring things out.”
Mrs. McDermott now gushes about the “fabulous” physician.

“He introduced himself when he came into the (treatment) room,” she added. “He was just delightful. We couldn’t have been treated better.”