Thank you to our frontline healthcare workers!
It has been more than six weeks since our country has gone into quarantine and millions of people have been staying at home in order to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the hopes of flattening the curve. But not everyone is able to stay at home, and we are grateful to the essential workers who maintain our roads, produce and deliver our food, keep us secure and provide so many vital services to the nation. One group of individuals is at the frontline, battling the virus head-on and facing unspeakable situations day in and day out. These are our healthcare workers, and we wanted to express our deep appreciation for them. One local WFWP chapter initiated a project to support them during this challenging time (check out this report from New Jersey) and we wanted to take this opportunity to highlight a few frontline healthcare individuals who are directly connected to WFWP.
The first is WFWP Arizona Chairwoman Rhia Luz, who was recently nominated by Dr. Susan Taffer as a Phoenix Health Care Hero for the Phoenix Business Journal. She is a registered nurse with more than 30 years of experience. During the COVID-19 crisis, she has worked extended hours at the Veterans Hospital in Phoenix with emergency patients who are sick, fearful, and face language barriers, as she serves a very diverse population. Much of her day is decision-making in triage and this takes inner strength, resilience, and sense of purpose.
In spite of the challenges in her profession, with limited protection and resources for her patients, Rhia finds time to uplift her family, friends and others in the local community through her work with WFWP. She works with the local Filipino community to distribute face masks to vulnerable friends and family members and shares inspiring messages on her radio show Buhay Buhay sa Amerika. She and her husband are raising two teenage daughters, one of whom is graduating from high school this spring and the other from 8th grade.
Rhia brings her Global Women's Peace Network philosophy to her profession, where being a peaceful soul permeates her daily contribution to local peace efforts which reflects the mission of GWPN. We are very proud of her and her leadership. Thank you, Rhia!
Gabriela Nodarse
We would also like to honor the WFWP Maine Chairwoman Gabriela Nodarse, who works as a registered respiratory therapist at Southern Maine Health Care. She is a frontline worker in healthcare, and since the respiratory system is most directly attacked by the novel coronavirus, she is currently providing vital care to COVID-19 patients in the emergency department.
With her heart to serve and care for others, she is putting in extra hours during this pandemic and assisting physicians with intubations and dealing with the ventilators. To limit the risk of spreading the virus, she is keeping herself isolated by staying at the Maine Family Church. “I am at a greater risk, so I moved to our church building to keep my family safe. Time to reflect, study God’s work & keep myself healthy,” shared Gabriela in a recent Facebook post. Stay safe and healthy, Gabriela!
Finally, we would like to thank Dr. Michael Connery, a resident physician at Greenwich Hospital in Connecticut, currently training to specialize in the field of nephrology (concerned with kidney health). He also works at the Westchester Medical Center, which provides health services to residents of the Hudson Valley, northern New Jersey, and southern Connecticut. This area is close to the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States.
In addition to his dedication to his medical profession, Michael is a devoted husband to Katarina Connery, the WFWP USA Vice President, and is very supportive of her work. Together they are raising two beautiful boys, one aged 4 years and the other 4 months. God bless you and your family, Michael!
In closing, we would like to share this inspiring video featuring a Toronto-based choir of women physicians singing “Rise Again” and invite you to listen to it as you think of all the healthcare workers giving their best effort around the globe.
