Hospital patients often are too busy fighting for their lives to fight for themselves when they're caught in the medical bureaucracy that oversees their care.
Those patients need a sympathetic ear -- someone willing to stand up for them.
For years, patients in Augusta were fortunate enough to have Patricia Sodomka.
In a career dedicated to helping others, Mrs. Sodomka rose to become chief operating officer of MCG Health Inc., then also its senior vice president for patient- and family-centered care.
The last patient Mrs. Sodomka fought for was herself. She died Friday after a brave four-year battle with breast cancer.
The growth of Augusta's medical community bears her mark. Mrs. Sodomka arrived here in 1987 to be administrator of the MCG Children's Medical Center, and she oversaw the building of its new facility, considered one of the nation's best.
She went on to become executive director of MCG Hospital, then COO of MCG Health when it was created in a 2000 reorganization.
Her good works didn't stop with her job. When the United Way, the March of Dimes, the American Heart Association or several other charities needed help, she didn't just pitch in -- you'd often find her leading the way.
She accomplished remarkable goals in her life. Now people can help further those goals after her passing. A scholarship fund has been set up that emphasizes work in patient- and family-centered health care.
The Patricia Sodomka PFCC Educational Endowment will fund education, training and travel for committed students and professionals. Checks payable to the MCG Health Special Purpose Account, emphasizing the Patricia Sodomka Fund, can be sent to MCG Health's Office of Philanthropy and Partnership, 1120 15th St., BA-8219, Augusta, GA 30912.
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