They’re deep in the trenches. Health care workers and medical professionals fighting a war with a common enemy: the coronavirus.
For months, doctors, nurses and other medical personnel, as well as researchers and mental health care professionals, have put their own personal safety on the line to save lives. They’ve sacrificed time with loved ones, nights of sleep and even the right to live in their own homes while caring for COVID-19 patients.
Jmore proudly recognizes the health care heroes among us. Hundreds of members of our community are on the front lines, researching treatments and vaccine possibilities, caring for the critically ill and providing strength to those struggling with this horrific virus.
Here are some of their stories.
Giving Comfort and Support
Hinda L. Rosin normally works at Sinai Hospital, but when the pandemic broke out, she redeployed to serve on Northwest Hospital’s airways team.
‘A Level of Disbelief’
“A big part of coordinating hospice and comfort care is educating the families as they navigate through the difficult time,” says Stacy Steinberg, a hospice care consultant with Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care. “It’s difficult to not be with someone in person.”
Taking Extra Precautions
As a critical care pulmonologist, Dr. Samuel Minkove is trained to care for the sickest of the sick. But while preparing to treat COVID-19 patients, he says the volume of critically ill patients stunned him.
‘Fighting a War Every Shift’
Rebecca and Justin Rubin are pulling double-duty, both working full time as nurses and parents to their three young daughters. The couple rotate day and night shifts.
A Veteran of the Virus Wars
For 16 years, Dr. Matthew B. Frieman, an associate professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, has focused on studying coronaviruses. Now, his lab is working around the clock to find a way to combat COVID-19.
Stepping Up
At Johns Hopkins, doctors and researchers are conducting experiments and clinical trials to find answers about the coronavirus. Dr. Shmuel Shoham is one of those doctors, investigating the use of plasma from recovered survivors as a preventive treatment.
A committed philanthropist and community leader, Russel was president of R&H Motors.
The mother of four was a native of Winchester, Virginia, who spent most of her life in Northwest Baltimore.
The Columbia resident worked on the Gemini and Apollo space missions.
A St. Louis native, Edelman served as ambassador to the central African nation from 1987 to 1989.