James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital - Tampa, Florida

Jane and Homer Johnson hold hands at his bedside after their wedding ceremony at the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital Medical Intensive Care Unit March 2.

The groom needed help slipping the ring on his bride’s finger and their first kiss was through an oxygen mask.

Not a typical wedding scenario, but then again this wasn’t a typical wedding.  Army Veteran Homer Johnson married long-time friend Jane Gora March 2 from his bed in the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) while surrounded by a few close friends, family and hospital staff.

The couple had originally planned to be married June 17, but 75-year-old Homer fell ill in mid February and was admitted to the MICU.  Since then his condition had worsened to the point that doctors told the family he would probably not live more than a few more days, so the couple decided to move up the wedding and hold it in the hospital.

In less than 24 hours , JAHVH staff members came together to ensure the day would be a memorable one for the pair.  Jane said her first hurdle was getting the marriage license from Hillsborough County since both she and Homer would normally need to apply in person, but with the help of Social Worker Christine Edmond she was able to get it.

“Because (Homer) wasn’t able to be there, I had to have a letter from the doctor saying he wasn’t able to get out of his bed,” Jane said.  “The social worker did the letter and the doctor signed it, and then I took it up there.  I had to write a note to the judge saying it was important to us to get married and that it was probably not a good idea to wait too long.  They OK’d it and I came back here, and now (the wedding) is happening.”

MICU Nurse Anitha Mathew and Acting Nurse Manager Audriana Pevec also rallied their staff around the couple to ensure their wedding was a memorable one.

“Yesterday afternoon we started getting the wheels rolling to see what we could do for this Veteran,” Pevec said.  “I think this is a special moment, and given the circumstances we wanted to do what we could to make sure this was special for them.”

Pevec started making calls to her colleagues and discovered nobody could recall a wedding like this ever taking place at JAHVH.  She also coordinated with the JAHVH Staff Chaplain Dennis Mathai to ensure the couple’s minister was cleared to perform the ceremony in the hospital and even helped arrange for a wedding cake for the ceremony.

“Our nurse manager called me and let me know there was going to be a wedding today, so I quickly called the people in the kitchen who can make things happen and told them and magically we have a wedding cake today,” said Registered Dietician Lynn Hiller.  “I think this is wonderful.  I’m happy that we were able to be here for them.  It is a privilege to be here for them.”

The MICU staff also purchased flowers for the bride, decorations and balloons to brighten up the hospital room, a cake knife that commemorates their special day, and a card filled with congratulations from everyone on the staff.  A representative from the hospital public affairs office was on hand to photograph the ceremony as well.

“It all just kind of came together,” Pevec said.  “It was really nice to see everyone come together to help facilitate that Veteran-centric care.  I think it’s one of the least things we can do.  It really is an honor.”

While Homer had trouble speaking because of his medical problems, he was able to express his appreciation to everyone involved not only in the wedding, but in the care he’s received since being admitted to the MICU two weeks ago.  His new bride felt the same way.

“I’m thankful for all the support,” Jane said.  “I would say you can’t do this without them, without the support of the staff and the people around you.  It’s like having a whole hospital of family.”

Homer Johnson passed away with his wife by his side March 4.