“ In the early days of testing , we had no PPE because we ’ re a family practice office . We just had surgical masks ,” says Culpepper . Gloves were also in short supply .
The solution : “ Mandy went to a farm goods store and bought elbow length gloves for birthing calves because they were the only gloves we could get ,” continues Culpepper .
While they ’ ve since secured the proper PPE , in the early days of the pandemic , from the parking lot of Bent Tree ’ s Frisco office , you ’ d find Searcy testing people in all sorts of weather wearing gloves , a raincoat , surgical mask , hairnet , and goggles purchased from Lowe ’ s .
“ I watched her go outside in 104 degrees , in the rain , in the cold , day in and day out , so that people could count on her ,” says Culpepper . “ That kind of energy early in a process is astounding and remarkable , but then the stamina to keep it up Saturdays and Sundays , Thanksgiving Day , and Christmas Day , that ’ s extraordinary .”
After being tested by Searcy , Randy Hayslip has this to say : “ Mandy was very comforting and proactive , while exceeding my expectations for COVID care . She exhibited a professional charisma that promoted an understanding and care for the patient . Her responsiveness and instructions during the COVID test were as amazing as her follow up .”
At the end of each day , Searcy rushes samples to FedEx to get them overnight shipped to a lab . Meanwhile , her nights are spent calling patients with the results .
“ You don ’ t get back a positive COVID and then just sit on it during the weekend and wait to call the patient back Monday like with high cholesterol ,” says Culpepper .
Unlike most testing centers , Searcy doesn ’ t just call a person , confirm a positive result , and hang up . “ Mandy has without doubt saved lives by listening to their breathing patterns on the phone and instructing which ones to go to the ER , which ones to come to the office for oxygen or chest x-rays , or we ’ re able to intervene early with steroids or antibiotics for secondary infections that wouldn ’ t have been treated ,” says Culpepper .
“ She is what I call a super nurse with Nordstrom-class customer service ,” says Jill Kempa , whose 42-year-old son had COVID symptoms in March . “ I called Dr . Culpepper ’ s office , talked to Mandy , and she said , ‘ I have three tests left , I will save one for him .’”
Searcy called back Sunday at midnight to inform Kempa that her son tested positive . From there , Searcy called Kempa ’ s son daily for the next two weeks to monitor his breathing . The third week , she recommended he go to the emergency room for a chest x-ray that uncovered pneumonia . After he pulled through , Kempa went to Bent Tree to personally thank Searcy for saving her son ’ s life . “ She goes above and beyond for all her patients , not just my son ,” exclaims Kempa . This sentiment is echoed by numerous Bent Tree patients , including Denise Delashaw , who says , “ Mandy is a selfless medical angel and is the most caring , authentic person I have ever met at any doctor ’ s office . She always goes above and beyond and actually checks up on you after any issue you may have . Love her ! She was taking care of a huge line of patients in the 100-degree heat , dripping wet , and still had a smile on her face !”
Meanwhile , Debbie Brandenburg says , “ Mandy is so caring and kindhearted to everyone . Since COVID , she has only worked harder and dedicated herself to helping us and others . She has put her own life on the line to serve others in testing for COVID and provided sincere empathy during very stressful times . Mandy is the prime example of putting others before self .”
More than 10,000 people have been tested by Searcy . Over 1,500 have tested positive . This has amounted to over 30,000 phone calls , including many that serve as stark reminders of the severity of the virus .
“ One of our beloved patients was one of the first ones Mandy tested ,” explains Culpepper . At the time test results were taking five days and while the patient was waiting on his positive test , Searcy insisted he go to the hospital after listening to his labored breathing and distinct cough . Two emergency rooms refused to admit him . The man , whose wife was also in a hospital suffering from COVID never got the chance to answer Searcy ’ s last text to confirm he was admitted . She found out later that he was intubated soon after and a week later he died in the ICU .
“ I could have been the last person he talked to . It was heartbreaking ,” says Searcy , who admits that getting praise is hard to accept for a job she feels called to do .
To schedule COVID or antibody testing at Bent Tree Family Physicians ’ Frisco location at 3550 Parkwood Blvd , Ste 600 , Frisco , Texas , visit www . benttreemd . com or call ( 972 ) 377-8800 .
“ To me , Mandy represents all those office nurses across the country who ’ re quietly saving lives .”
— DR . GUY CULPEPPER
“ She is what I call a super nurse with Nordstromclass customer service .”
— JILL KEMPA
“ She was taking care of a huge line of patients in the 100-degree heat , dripping wet , and still had a smile on her face !”
— DENISE DELASHAW
DENTON COUNTY • 25