America鈥檚 health care workers are dying. In some states, medical personnel account for as many as 20% of known coronavirus cases. They tend to patients in hospitals, treating them, serving them food and cleaning their rooms. Others at risk work in nursing homes or are employed as home health aides.
"Lost on the Frontline," a collaboration between KHN and The Guardian, has identified 922 such workers who likely died of COVID-19 after helping patients during the pandemic.
We have published profiles for 164 workers whose deaths have been confirmed by our reporters.
Some cases are shrouded in secrecy. Our team contacts family members, employers and medical examiners to independently confirm each death. Many hospitals have been overwhelmed and workers sometimes have lacked protective equipment or suffer from underlying health conditions that make them vulnerable to the highly infectious virus. In the chaos, COVID casualties might otherwise get overlooked.
This project the lives of U.S. health workers who die of COVID-19, and to understand why so many are falling victim to the pandemic.
Lost On The Frontline
This project the life of every health care worker in America who dies from COVID-19. If you have a colleague or loved one we should include, please .
Home Health Aide Was Active in Her Local Community
(Naorin Ahmed)
Rashida Ahmed
Age: 46 Occupation: Home health aide Place of Work: CarePro of NY in New York City Date of Death: April 30, 2020
There鈥檚 not a single photo of Rashida Ahmed where she doesn鈥檛 have 鈥渁 very, very big smile,鈥 said Naorin Ahmed, her daughter.
Rashida emigrated from her native Bangladesh in 2015 to be closer to her daughter, who had moved to the U.S. for an arranged marriage a few years earlier. In Queens, she became active in the local Bengali community, joining a that advocates for South Asian and Indo-Caribbean workers.
鈥淪he was a very people鈥檚 person,鈥 Naorin said. 鈥淚f you met her, you would remember her.鈥
Rashida loved to sing and cook 鈥 Naorin especially relished her biryani. Community activist Fakrul Islam Delwar called Rashida a 鈥渧ery helping, kind-hearted person鈥 who brought food to her neighbors in Jackson Heights.
Rashida cared for an older woman on Long Island who died on March 30 of COVID-19 complications. It鈥檚 unclear whether Rashida became infected from her patient or during her train commute. She developed debilitating fatigue and fever, checking into a hospital on March 31.
Representatives from CarePro confirmed that Rashida worked in an area with many COVID-19 patients and said that all aides are provided the necessary personal protective equipment.
Naorin said her mother did not have adequate PPE but, despite the risks, insisted on caring for her patient.
鈥 Elizabeth Lawrence, Kaiser Health News | Published July 29, 2020
Working Two Jobs, She Was Still the 鈥楤est Listener Ever鈥
Clea Alverio-Hume and her husband, Dave (Josh Steele/Out of the Woods Photography )
Clea Alverio-Hume
Age: 57 Occupation: Medical records director and lead admissions coordinating assistant Place of Work: Queen Anne Healthcare and Swedish Medical Center-First Hill, both in Seattle Date of Death: June 12, 2020
Flowers of all kinds 鈥 particularly purple ones 鈥 were Clea Alverio-Hume鈥檚 passion.
She helped her mother, Felicidad, 82, tend them. Husband Dave often left bouquets at two health care facilities where she worked a combined 72 hours weekly. She did so, he said, to spare her daughter, Minerva, from working while in college.
Over Memorial Day, Clea and Dave started to build a shed as a prelude to her own flower garden.
Nursing a cough, Clea was tested for COVID-19 that Monday. Thirty-six hours later, Dave summoned paramedics. The test they administered came back positive.
Erin Doss, administrator of Queen Anne, where Clea began working soon after emigrating from the Philippines in 1994, said they don鈥檛 know whether she was exposed there. 鈥淲e miss her terribly,鈥 Doss said. On its website, the facility reports two staff deaths, including Clea鈥檚, and 19 patient deaths.
Clea鈥檚 Queen Anne colleagues gave Dave a framed photo of her and Minerva with dozens of notes on the matting.
鈥淭hey all say the same thing 鈥 how much she meant to them 鈥 the best listener ever,鈥 he said. 鈥淐lea has touched hundreds in that manner.鈥
鈥 Cynthia Mitchell | Published July 29, 2020
Social Worker Was a 鈥榁oice for the City鈥
(Paula Jackson)
Lisa Burhannan
Age: 50 Occupation: Social worker Place of Work: Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Date of Death: June 11, 2020
In June 2015, Lisa Burhannan rode to Nashville with 鈥渉er babies,鈥 a gospel dance troupe 鈥 God鈥檚 Chozen Praise 鈥 that was performing on 鈥淏obby Jones Presents.鈥 Burhannan coached the young women through their Marvin Gaye number that weekend and at many local shows afterward.
鈥淏eyond the shows, she brought the ladies together,鈥 said Portia Bolen-Geter, her aunt. 鈥淪he taught them, by example, how to live.鈥
Described by her mother, Paula Jackson, as an 鈥渆nergizer bunny,鈥 Burhannan was committed to her community. She provided trauma rehabilitation to victims of crime, and as a volunteer chaplain at Pinnacle Medical Center, Burhannan counseled grieving families.
鈥淪he had a servant鈥檚 heart,鈥 said Jackson, 鈥渁 true voice for the city.鈥
When Pennsylvania entered lockdown in late March, Burhannan did what she could 鈥 including delivering masks to clients. The family said she was finding her own protective equipment; CSSJ did not respond to requests for comment.
On May 27, a 鈥渉orrible鈥 cough worsened, and Burhannan asked Jackson to write down requests for her own funeral. She wanted CeCe Winans鈥 鈥淎labaster Box鈥 sung. The next day, she was hospitalized.
Burhannan鈥檚 funeral proceeded as she鈥檇 hoped. The mayor spoke, her babies danced, and the mourners sang her home.
鈥 Eli Cahan | Published July 29, 2020
A Public Servant Who Was the Heart of Her Community
Priscilla Carrow
Age: 65 Occupation: Coordinating manager Place of Work: Elmhurst Hospital in Queens, New York Date of Death: March 30, 2020
On March 10, when Priscilla Carrow attended her community board鈥檚 last in-person meeting, she brought masks, hand sanitizer and information on COVID-19 for every committee member.
鈥淪he was someone who you could go to if you had a problem in the community, and you needed answers,鈥 said Ashley Reed, who served on the board with Carrow. 鈥淲e always counted on her to be on the front lines of what was going on.鈥
Carrow, who was born in Harlem and moved to Queens as a child, was passionate about giving back. In addition to serving on Queens Community Board 4, she was a shop steward in the local chapter of the Communications Workers of America union.
鈥淪he loved helping people. She knew she was blessed in her life, so she wanted to carry that blessing on to others,鈥 said Gloria Middleton, president of CWA Local 1180. Her sense of civic duty, paired with a bubbly personality and ability to command a room, made her a natural leader.
Elmhurst Hospital was inundated with COVID-19 cases. Carrow, a year from retirement, managed the inventory and distribution of PPE to health care workers amid severe shortages. But friends say she was exposed to the virus at work and hospitalized in March.
Her death was met with an outpouring of grief on social media from neighbors, friends and her congresswoman, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
鈥 Isoke Samuel, City University of New York | Published July 29, 2020
鈥楬e Did All the Unseen Things to Help Out鈥
(Kyle Charon)
Paul Charon
Age: 62 Occupation: Traveling radiology technologist Place of Work: Multiple facilities via Premier Healthcare Staffing in Oswego, New York Date of Death: June 5, 2020
A devoted member of the Adirondack 46ers mountain club, Paul Charon would, without hesitation, clear branches that blocked a trail. When hikers left Nutri-Grain wrappers in the bramble, he picked them up. When overflowing creeks obstructed a path, he bridged them.
The Saratoga Springs, New York, native 鈥渓oved being one with nature,鈥 said his son, Kyle Charon. 鈥淗e did all the unseen things to help out鈥 so others could enjoy it, too.
Charon also spent over three decades with the Red Cross, where he volunteered during hurricanes, floods and wildfires across the country, Kyle said.
During quarantine, Charon dropped by his adult children鈥檚 homes unannounced with gifts like a Dutch oven and a pullup bar 鈥 he wanted to create a sense of normalcy for them.
As regional COVID caseloads mounted, he continued caring for patients. From March to May, he performed X-rays at dozens of facilities near Rochester, Utica and Poughkeepsie. Friends on staff welcomed him with coffee, snacks and masks (he lacked sufficient protective equipment, Kyle said). Premier Healthcare Staffing did not respond to requests for comment.
On May 9, feeling 鈥渁 little down,鈥 Charon requested a pot of Kyle鈥檚 signature vegetable soup. But it didn鈥檛 help, and on May 14, he was hospitalized. A few weeks later, after his father suffered several strokes and multiple-organ failure, Kyle signed a do-not-resuscitate order.
鈥 Eli Cahan | Published July 29, 2020
Home Health Aide 鈥楨mbodied Family in Every Sense鈥
(Jodie Antonio)
Roberta Gruber
Age: 66 Occupation: Home health aide Place of Work: Circle of Life Soaring Eagles Home Care Services in Gallup, New Mexico Date of Death: May 29, 2020
Months before Halloween, Roberta Gruber would start sewing.
She鈥檇 craft costumes for 鈥渉er children and everyone else鈥檚 children,鈥 said Jodie Antonio, her daughter. Then, dressed as Betty Boop, she鈥檇 transform her two-story home into the community鈥檚 haunted house, going 鈥渁ll out to make it spooky spectacular,鈥 said Evander Antonio, her grandson.
Beyond Halloween, she had an open-door policy, allowing struggling neighbors to stay indefinitely. 鈥淪he鈥檇 leap to help someone in need,鈥 Jodie said.
On the job, Gruber would drive Evander hours away to chop firewood or run errands for elderly clients he called shicheii (grandpa) or shimasani (grandma). 鈥碍鈥櫭 means family鈥 in Navajo, said Evander. 鈥淪he embodied that in every sense.鈥
As the coronavirus spread, Gruber continued to care for patients and sewed masks for herself and others.
Her employer said that it had distributed thousands of gloves and masks since mid-March but that it is impossible to rule out the possibility that she contracted the virus at work, despite precautions.
On April 16, Gruber started to feel 鈥渙ff,鈥 and on April 26, she tested positive for COVID-19. The next morning, she developed excruciating leg pain. After being sent home by one hospital, she was admitted to another and urgently evacuated to Albuquerque.
Four failed surgeries and 36 hours later, Gruber was in a coma. The family never spoke with her again.
鈥 Eli Cahan | Published July 29, 2020
Youth Mental Health Counselor 鈥楬ad a Heart of Gold鈥
(Vicky Howard Stewart)
Torrin Howard
Age: 26 Occupation: Mental health counselor Place of Work: Boys & Girls Village in Milford, Connecticut Date of Death: April 7, 2020
Torrin Howard was a fixture in his hometown鈥檚 gospel music scene, having played for greats like Donnie McClurkin, Marvin Sapp and Dorinda Clark-Cole. 鈥淎nyone who heard him connected with him,鈥 said his aunt, Vicky Howard Stewart.
As children, Torrin and his siblings formed a family band, and they traveled to churches, community centers and gyms across the country. They鈥檇 load the bus on Friday and return home by Sunday night 鈥 the children, half-asleep, already swaddled in safari pajamas.
Torrin鈥檚 teachers adored him, and his football teammates looked up to the 鈥淭ank.鈥 As an adult, he connected with the troubled youth for whom he provided behavioral health and rehabilitation coaching.
In late March, Torrin developed persistent flu-like symptoms. 鈥淧PE was in extremely limited supply鈥 at that time and 鈥渦sed only for individuals who actively had symptoms,鈥 per CDC guidance, his employer said.
On March 28, Torrin tested positive. A week later, he was hospitalized and intubated.
鈥淣ext thing we knew, he was gone,鈥 said Howard Stewart.
鈥 Eli Cahan | Published July 29, 2020
鈥榃hen You Lose People Like Sue, You Lose the Community's Glue'
(Royal Davis)
Sue Williams-Ward
Age: 68 Occupation: Home health aide Place of Work: Together We Can Services in Indianapolis Date of Death: May 2, 2020
Three decades ago, Sue Williams-Ward and her husband, Royal Davis, bought a bar.
The dive 鈥 an azure duplex in Indianapolis鈥 Haughville neighborhood 鈥 made decent money; but after 鈥渟eeing the love of God,鈥 Davis said, they turned it into a community center. The center is now a bodega and hub for social activism.
鈥淲e took it as our responsibility to bring light to the too-often-forgotten people in this community,鈥 Davis said.
A home health aide, Williams-Ward bathed, dressed, and fed her clients. She brought her grandchildren to visit them and often delivered Thanksgiving turkeys and Christmas hams.
In early March, Williams-Ward took a new job, earning $13 an hour (a $1 raise). She was hired after other workers resigned due to concerns over COVID-19 safety concerns.
Within weeks, she started coughing. She kept going to work, Davis said, without protective equipment. Her employer did not respond to requests for comment.
She was hospitalized and intubated March 23 and died six weeks later.
鈥淲hen you lose people like Sue,鈥 Davis said, 鈥測ou lose the community鈥檚 glue.鈥
鈥 Eli Cahan | Published July 29, 2020
A Tireless Advocate for Patients
(Abigail Baltazar)
Nicanor 鈥淣ick鈥 Baltazar
Age: 60 Occupation: Director of nursing Place of Work: Long Island Care Center in Flushing, New York Date of Death: March 31, 202
Nick Baltazar loved to sing, even when no one was at home. His wife, Grace, and daughter, Abigail, often joined in. Nick even brought a karaoke machine to the nursing home where he worked, and he and Abigail once serenaded patients there with 鈥淓ndless Love.鈥
Nick had boundless energy. He exercised twice a day and walked to work. He was a tireless advocate for patients and his employees, taking novice nurses under his wing and helping them achieve their dream jobs.
A cook and baker, he would stay up past 10 p.m. baking treats to share with co-workers; his most famous treat was cassava cake. When Abigail was studying nursing in Buffalo, her parents would pack the car with groceries and Tupperware full of food he鈥檇 spent the whole week making. 鈥淚 would tell him, you know, there are grocery stores in Buffalo!鈥 Abigail said.
Avid gardeners, Nick and Grace started with mint and basil. Their last harvest was so abundant that he invited co-workers to pick peppers, tomatoes and bitter melon.
After 40 years in nursing, he planned on retiring in two more.
On March 20, a cough and fever came on after work. He tested positive for COVID-19 and, within two weeks, died waiting to be admitted to the hospital.
Long Island Care Center did not respond to requests for comment.
鈥 Natalie Mufson听触 Published July 24, 2020
Grandmother Worked Extra Hours in Nursing Home Ravaged by COVID
Kettely Desire
Age: 64 Occupation: Certified nursing assistant Place of Work: Alliance Health at West Acres in Brockton, Massachusetts Date of Death: April 11, 2020
In April, the coronavirus swept through the nursing home and rehabilitation center where Haitian-born Kettely Desire had worked part time. By April 25, 23 staff members had tested positive for COVID-19, and 22 of the facility鈥檚 patients had died, . By that time, Desire, who鈥檇 been planning a party for her granddaughter鈥檚 high school graduation in Miami, had already died.
Her son Frantz told the Globe that Desire had just completed a double shift in late March before feeling ill. She was hospitalized and put on a ventilator. Frantz confirmed to KHN that her death certificate names complications from COVID-19 as cause of death.
Alliance Health spokesperson Kate Kahn said the facility started having staff 鈥渨ear protective gear before it was mandated by the state.鈥
鈥淧lans are underway to create a memorial at the facility in [Desire鈥檚] honor,鈥 Kahn said. 鈥淪he was well respected for her compassionate caregiving and professional demeanor.鈥
Desire has been laid to rest in a mausoleum in Florida, where Frantz lives. Her Facebook page reveals an enduring love for Haitian music and her Brockton church, where congregants are shown dancing and singing during holiday celebrations.
鈥 Jessica Klein | Published July 24, 2020
鈥楤rilliant鈥 Eye Specialist Knew How to Party, Too
(Elana Einhorn)
Norman Einhorn
Age: 69 Occupation: Optometrist Places of Work: Central New Jersey rehabilitation centers Date of Death: June 6, 2020
He could talk with anybody, on any subject. He could sing. He loved wine, Italian dinners and concerts: Springsteen, Madonna, Diana Ross. Always with his wife, Joy. 鈥淗e was brilliant,鈥 she said, 鈥渁nd he also liked to party.鈥
Norman had had an optometry practice since 1983 but also worked in neuro-optometry, helping people whose illnesses or injuries impair their vision. He treated stroke patients, Special Olympic athletes and accident victims. 鈥淚t鈥檚 like physical therapy,鈥 Joy said, 鈥渂ut for the eyes.鈥
After governor鈥檚 orders shuttered his office, he saw neuro-optometry patients at three rehab centers. At one, his family believes, he contracted COVID-19.
In May, the Einhorns visited family in Connecticut. They left for home May 9, stopping to see two patients at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Tinton Falls. Days later, Norman lost his appetite and started coughing. Other family members got sick, too 鈥 but not the Connecticut crew. Norman died in the hospital about two weeks after diagnosis.
Joy learned the rehab centers were accepting COVID patients, who were segregated. In a statement, Todd Cooperman, medical director at Tinton Falls, praised Norman as 鈥渁n extremely skilled neuro optometrist鈥 with 鈥渁 wonderful bedside manner.鈥 He didn鈥檛 address questions about COVID-19.
Norman thought he was protecting himself, Joy said, 鈥渂ut it鈥檚 just so contagious.鈥
鈥 Maureen O鈥橦agan | Published July 24, 2020
Lab Assistant Spoke Out About Employee Safety
(Vanessa Campos)
Sally Lara
Age: 62 Occupation: Lab assistant Place of Work: Riverside Community Hospital in Riverside, California Date of Death: June 8, 2020
Sally Lara was so supportive of daughter Vanessa Campos鈥 childhood dream of becoming an astronaut that before middle school the two had traveled to Kennedy Space Center, eaten astronaut food and ridden in a flight simulator.
Lara, 62, extended her generosity and kindness broadly, Campos said. She recalls her mother helping homeless women regain custody of their children and treating them to a fancy meal to celebrate.
When COVID-19 came to the hospital, people were scared. So Lara picked up extra shifts. She pressed management about employee safety and PPE practices, encouraging her daughter to do the same at her nursing home job.
Lara developed symptoms on Mother鈥檚 Day.
Riverside Community Hospital said in a statement it was devastated by the loss of Lara, also 鈥渙ur focus has been on protecting our caregivers and colleagues and ensuring they have enough personal protective equipment.鈥
During her mother鈥檚 month of illness, Campos drove in the car with her husband, tears streaming down their faces and praying for a miracle, she recalled. The hospital staff tried everything, Campos said.
Her final words reached her mother through an iPad at her ear: 鈥淚f it鈥檚 your time, go peacefully. If it鈥檚 not your time, I need you to fight. I love you so much; thank you for fighting.鈥
鈥 Christina Jewett | Published July 24, 2020
鈥楢 Good Soul鈥 Who Aspired to Be a Nurse 鈥 Like Her Mom
(Roland Mack)
Chantee Mack
Age: 44 Occupation: Disease intervention specialist Place of Work: Prince George鈥檚 County Health Department Cheverly Health Center in Cheverly, Maryland Date of Death: May 11, 2020
To her younger brother, Chantee Mack was 鈥渁 second mom.鈥
鈥淚 feel alone now that she鈥檚 gone,鈥 said Roland Mack, 38.
The two, along with brother Aric, grew up in Prince George鈥檚 County, Maryland. Their single mother, Sue Ann Mack, a nurse, sometimes took Chantee to work, inspiring a love of health care.
For 19 years, Chantee served the community at the health department, where one of her jobs was to tell people the results of tests for sexually transmitted diseases.
Chantee, who never married or had children, considered her mother her best friend. The two lived together for years, and when Sue Ann became paraplegic, Chantee cared for her. When her mother died a decade ago, Chantee sank into a depression, but she remained committed to helping people. She hoped eventually to follow her mother into nursing.
鈥淪he was a good soul,鈥 Roland said.
Family and friends believe she contracted the COVID-19 from a co-worker in March when, according to union officials, personal protective equipment was spotty and people were not routinely social distancing. Health department leaders wouldn鈥檛 discuss Chantee鈥檚 death but said the safety of workers is a top priority and workplace protections now include PPE and social distancing.
Chantee was hospitalized in mid-April, staying on a ventilator for four weeks before slipping away.
鈥 Laura Ungar | Published July 24, 2020
Father of Three Juggled Jobs at Three Nursing Homes
(The Moise family)
Paul Moise
Age: 50 Occupations: Subacute unit manager and licensed practical nurse Places of Work: Alameda Center for Rehabilitation & Healthcare in Perth Amboy, New Jersey; Clark Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Clark, New Jersey; Brandywine Living in New Jersey Date of Death: April 12, 2020
Paul Moise had been taking online medical classes to further his career when the coronavirus emerged at one of the rehabilitation centers where he worked. Moise鈥檚 wife, Rose, recalled Alameda Center having trouble getting masks, so 鈥渉e was ordering his own.鈥
The Alameda Center did not respond to requests for comment.
Paul鈥檚 job was 鈥渧ery stressful for him,鈥 Rose said, 鈥渓osing the people he knew, the patients he was taking care of dying like that.鈥
By early April, Moise began experiencing shortness of breath and stayed home from work 鈥 without paid sick leave. His wife said he requested a coronavirus test but was diagnosed with pneumonia instead. He died within days without being tested for COVID-19. The coroner confirmed it as his cause of death.
Rose, also a nurse, fell ill, too, making it hard to care for their three, school-age children.
Moise, who was born in Haiti and loved playing soccer, worked at three assisted living centers. 鈥淗e was a good worker,鈥 Rose said, 鈥渂ecause he was a good team leader.鈥
鈥 Jessica Klein | Published July 24, 2020
Hospital鈥檚 鈥楪randma鈥 Was Recalled From Vacation, Only to Get Sick
(Lacey Williams)
Lilly Tsosie
Age: 65 Occupation: Phlebotomist Place of Work: San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington, New Mexico Date of Death: June 17, 2020
Lilly Tsosie was known as the hospital vampire for her skill at drawing blood. 鈥淪he was known by all of the nurses as the one who got the job done the first time,鈥 said Lacey Williams, her eldest daughter.
People also called her Grandma. Tsosie, a Navajo, had celebrated 30 years at the center. A brick was dedicated in her honor in the Healing Garden.
She always wore a protective gown to guard against COVID-19. Before going home daily, she took two showers and changed clothes to protect her seven grandchildren.
In early May, she started two weeks鈥 vacation at home to avoid the virus. But on May 11, she was called in for the day and took blood on the COVID floor, Williams said, adding 鈥渨e begged her not to go back in.鈥 Within days, she felt sick.
Tsosie was hospitalized at San Juan from May 22 to June 2 before being airlifted to Lovelace Medical Center in Albuquerque.
鈥淪he will be deeply missed by her SJRMC family, the laboratory department specifically and by all who knew and loved her,鈥 said San Juan spokesperson Laura Werbner.
The family rode in a 50-vehicle, 180-mile motorcade from Albuquerque to Farmington, where dozens of hospital staffers waved as it passed.
鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 stop crying,鈥 Williams said.
鈥 Eriech Tapia, University of Oklahoma | Published July 24, 2020
Selfless Geriatrician Loved Hearing Patients鈥 Stories
(Max Escher)
Jeffrey Ethan Escher
Age: 72 Occupation: Geriatrician Place of Work: Providence Rest in the Bronx, New York Date of Death: April 26, 2020
Before Dr. Jeffrey Escher died, he sent his son Max pictures of personal protective equipment he wore while seeing his nursing home and rehabilitation center patients. The photos depicted surgical masks and a face shield, but Escher remained concerned.
鈥淗e would tell us that he had enough PPE, and he was worried about other staff who he didn鈥檛 know if they had enough,鈥 Max said. 鈥淗e was always concerned for others instead of himself.鈥 (贰蝉肠丑别谤鈥檚 employer, TeamHealth, declined to comment.)
Escher, who earned his medical degree at the Universit茅 Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium after studying at Columbia University in New York City, started showing COVID-19 symptoms in April. He stopped working and was tested. Escher, who鈥檇 been quarantined with his wife, Monique Brion, died before the results came back positive.
贰蝉肠丑别谤鈥檚 in The Scarsdale Inquirer mentions his membership in the Dixieland Jazz Band in his Westchester hometown. During the Jewish High Holy Days, he played the shofar at his local temple.
鈥淗is idea of being a doctor was not focusing on a specific part of the body but focusing on the patient in total 鈥 and listening to their stories,鈥 Max said.
鈥 Jessica Klein | Published July 21, 2020
Spirited Drug and Alcohol Counselor Went the Extra Mile
(David Fierro)
Vivian Fierro
Age: 58 Occupation: Therapist/group facilitator Place of Work: Impact Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center in Pasadena, California Date of Death: April 27, 2020
Growing up in the barrios of East Los Angeles, Vivian Fierro wasn鈥檛 expected to succeed. 鈥淪he raised the bar far beyond what [our parents] hoped for her,鈥 said her younger brother, David.
Vivian鈥檚 drive resulted in her excelling first at basketball, then scholastically, earning a degree at East Los Angeles College. As a certified drug and alcohol counselor, she dedicated her career to helping people recovering from addiction and those in the LGBTQ community.
鈥淚f somebody was about to get evicted, she would maybe pay their rent,鈥 David said. She traveled up and down the California coast, speaking at large 12-step conventions and small, out-of-the-way meetings.
Vivian was approaching 31 years sober when she died at home from COVID-19 after possibly contracting it at work. (Her workplace shut down to sanitize after employees and clients had tested positive, David said, and when Vivian went back, she developed symptoms. Impact did not respond to requests for comment.)
鈥淰ivian was considered different,鈥 David said, and taught others marginalized by their addictions or sexuality that being different was OK. 鈥淪he just wanted to know how she could help you.鈥
鈥 Jessica Klein | Published July 21, 2020
With a Rough-Hewn Style, She Won Over Patients and Staff
(Allyse Gombas)
Sandra Hardy-Rogers
Age: 56 Occupation: Medical technician Place of Work: Community Medical Center in Toms River, New Jersey Date of Death: May 1, 2020
Patients said it all the time: 鈥淭hat British lady is amazing.鈥 According to colleagues, Sandra Hardy-Rogers was a whirlwind in the emergency department, caring for patients with a slightly rough-around-the-edges style that somehow made almost everyone smile.
鈥淭here was nobody as good as her,鈥 said Allyse Gombas, a colleague. About 5 feet tall, Hardy-Rogers was 鈥渁ll spunk, all enthusiasm.鈥
Hardy-Rogers arrived in the United States as a young woman, working first as a nanny and then as a home health aide, then got a job at the hospital, eventually settling into an overnight shift in the emergency department.
Hardy-Rogers was devoted to family and loved traveling with relatives. She was thrilled every time she built a Lego set with her son, now 16. She put others鈥 needs ahead of her own.
In late March, she learned that a patient tested positive, . Back then, Gombas said, protocols were laxer, and the hospital wasn鈥檛 yet treating all emergency patients as presumptively positive. A spokesperson for the hospital did not respond to KHN鈥檚 inquiries.
Hardy-Rogers soon became critically ill, fighting for about a month in the hospital鈥檚 intensive care unit before her organs shut down.
鈥 Maureen O鈥橦agan | Published July 17, 2020
At 65, Nursing Became Her Second Act
(Jenny Winkler)
Karon Hoffman
Age: 69 Occupation: Licensed practical nurse Place of Work: Alden Terrace of McHenry, Illinois Date of Death: May 18, 2020
Karon Hoffman鈥檚 daughter Jenny Winkler paid for her first college class, to encourage her. That same year, Hoffman鈥檚 son, Karl, returned home from the Army and also wanted to take a course. Mother and son ended up in the same introductory computer class.
鈥淪he had the No. 1 grade in the class, and he had No. 2,鈥 Winkler said.
Hoffman had previously worked as a 911 dispatcher, EMT and, most recently, a real estate appraiser. At 65, when most of her peers were thinking about retirement, she graduated from a local community college with high honors and an associate degree in arts. She took the nursing licensing exam and passed.
She never let others tell her what to do, said daughter Jessica Allen. Hoffman鈥檚 hobbies included canning dandelion jelly, gardening and going to garage sales with her grandchildren.
In January, Hoffman started her first nursing job at the Alden Terrace rehabilitation center, after taking a few years post-graduation to tend to both her husband鈥檚 health and her own. She needed the income to afford their medications that weren鈥檛 covered by Medicare, her family said. Her family believes she was infected in early April, shortly after she completed orientation training.
Her family said that the facility鈥檚 nurses were not provided personal protective equipment unless they were working on the designated COVID-19 floor, which Hoffman was not. Yet all staff used the same break rooms, Winkler said. Alden Terrace did not return repeated requests for comment.
鈥 Theresa Gaffney, City University of New York | Published July 17, 2020
鈥楪regarious鈥 Mechanic Maintained Hospital鈥檚 Air Filter
(Stephanie Anderson)
James "Mike" Anderson
Age: 51 Occupation: Maintenance mechanic Place of Work: St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne, Pennsylvania Date of Death: April 13, 2020
As he wheeled patients through hallways or responded to maintenance calls, James "Mike" Anderson was 鈥済regarious,鈥 said Mark Banchi, who volunteers with chaplains at the hospital.
Banchi, who taught English at Anderson's high school, said even as a student, Anderson was "a personality larger than life."
Anderson was a loving husband and father to his son, 5, and daughter, 9, with 鈥渋mmeasurable鈥 pride in family.
He had a low-profile though critical job: changing air filters in patients' rooms, including those treated for COVID-19.
In early April, Anderson came down with what he thought was a cold. On April 13, Anderson was rushed to the hospital, where he died of acute respiratory distress syndrome from COVID-19.
David Stern, a lawyer pursuing a workers' compensation claim on behalf of Anderson's family, said Anderson was exposed to contaminated air filters and spaces.
In an email, hospital spokesperson Christy McCabe wrote: "We are extremely saddened by his death. We are not able to provide additional information out of respect for his and his family鈥檚 privacy.鈥
"His loss to the hospital is real," Banchi said. "Some people lift spirits, some people make you glad you came that day, and Mike was one of those people."
鈥 Melissa Bailey | Published July 14, 2020
A Doctor Found 鈥榯he Thing That Made Him Happy鈥
(Joseph Bongiorno Jr.)
Joseph Bongiorno Sr.
Age: 78 Occupation: Psychiatrist Place of Work: Private practice in Chicago Date of Death: April 14, 2020
Joseph Bongiorno worked for nearly a decade with Dr. James Sullivan at Saint Joseph Hospital in Chicago. Neither imagined they would meet again as doctor and patient in a pandemic.
The two had not seen each other since Bongiorno chose to focus exclusively on private practice toward the end of his career.
鈥淗e was a one-on-one type of person, you know, and I think that's kind of why he decided to do what he did with the last years of his life,鈥 Sullivan said. 鈥淗e found the thing that made him happy.鈥
His daughter Madeleine said his work in health care took many forms.
He served as a U.S. Air Force Medical Service Corps officer providing psychiatric service to Vietnam War returnees at Eglin Air Force Base. In 1974, he started his private practice in Illinois and also provided services to the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Bongiorno was hospitalized in mid-March and died after being on a ventilator for over 20 days.
鈥淚've probably got 30 or 40 emails from patients who found out, and they all pretty much say that he saved their life with his help and changed their lives,鈥 his son Joseph Jr. said. 鈥淗e never ever, ever planned on retiring.鈥
鈥 Ayse Eldes, University of Michigan | Published July 14, 2020
鈥楬e Would Come Running in a Heartbeat if Something Happened鈥
(Beatrice Carrillo)
Emmanuel J. Carrillo
Age: 60 Occupation: Licensed practical nurse Place of Work: Hackensack Meridian Health Prospect Heights Care Center in Hackensack, New Jersey Date of Death: April 21, 2020
Emmanuel Carrillo worked hard to support his wife and three children, sometimes working three to four jobs at a time.
He had been a mechanical engineer in his native Philippines and became a nurse after immigrating to the U.S. in 1988.
鈥淲e were very dependent on him,鈥 said his daughter, Beatrice Carrillo. Earlier this year, when she injured her leg in an accident, her father immediately came to her aid, crutches in tow. 鈥淗e would come running in a heartbeat if something happened,鈥 she said. She described her father as devoted to his family and 鈥渓ively and silly. Always making jokes,鈥 she said.
Emmanuel Carrillo was only a few weeks into a new job when patients with symptoms of COVID-19 began showing up. Days after working a 72-hour shift, he developed a fever, sore throat and cough. Beatrice, who is also a nurse, said her father did not have adequate personal protective equipment. The care center did not respond to questions about protective gear.
Beatrice said her father, one of 10 siblings, longed to travel the world and spend more time with his family back in the Philippines. Beatrice, who is 5 months pregnant, said his last wish was to be a grandfather.
鈥 Elena Johnson | Published July 14, 2020
Psychiatric Nurse Planned to Host a Barbecue Once He Recovered
(The Chinwendu family)
Gabriel Chinwendu
Age: 56 Occupation: Registered nurse Place of Work: Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. Date of Death: April 24, 2020
Gabriel Chinwendu鈥檚 family and friends remember him as a gentle man who was dedicated to his work as a psychiatric nurse.
鈥淟ove for one another was his mission, to care. That was why what happened, happened,鈥 said his wife, Gloria Chinwendu. The couple, who had immigrated from Nigeria years ago, had four children together. 鈥淗is love for his job and others led him to lose his life.鈥
Gloria said Gabriel was outfitted with personal protective equipment and always washed his hands after seeing patients he suspected of having COVID-19. But on April 17, he left work feeling tired. Two days later, he went to the emergency room.
Feeling better by the time his test came back positive, he even promised to throw a family barbecue after he recovered. He died a few days later.
鈥 Sonya Swink, City University of New York | Published July 14, 2020
Early Brush With Cancer Led Prankster Into Nursing
(The Darby family)
Denny Darby
Age: 31 Occupation: Certified nursing assistant Place of Work: Fulton Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Gloversville, New York Date of Death: May 20, 2020
Growing up, Denny Darby was a prankster who loved to watch World Wrestling Entertainment. At 14, he was diagnosed with cancer; he recovered, but his cousin Elizabeth Duplago said this early brush with illness influenced his decision to go into nursing.
As a nursing assistant at a nursing home, Darby cared for his patients at their most vulnerable: He brushed their teeth, and bathed and clothed them.
Duplago described him as sensitive, caring and selfless. 鈥淗e would spend his money and buy [friends] a drink and go without a drink for himself,鈥 she said.
Darby continued working even as COVID-19 tore through the nursing home where he worked 鈥 by May, some 130 residents and staff members had become infected. He became sick in early May and died on May 20.
Darby鈥檚 family believes he contracted the virus at work, and Duplago said Darby鈥檚 colleagues told her the nursing home did not have adequate PPE at the outset of the pandemic. A spokesperson for Centers Health Care, which owns the Fulton Center, denied that the center experienced PPE shortages.
Duplago said she鈥檚 looking into ways to help families facing pediatric cancer, in Darby鈥檚 name.
鈥 Kelsie Sandoval, City University of New York | Published July 14, 2020
Friends Say Neonatal Nurse Was a Baby Whisperer
(Lowelia Avellana)
Susan Sisgundo
Age: 50 Occupation: Neonatal ICU nurse Place of Work: Bellevue Hospital in New York City Date of Death: April 8, 2020
With eight siblings, Susan Sisgundo had to fight to stand out, whether it was academics or a new dance move, friend Lowelia Avellana said.
The two met in grade school in the Philippines. Avellana moved to New York City; her friend followed. They studied nursing and lived in Queens, 10 minutes from each other.
Sisgundo worked in one of the country鈥檚 busiest hospitals, which was beset by COVID-19 patients. A hospital spokesperson said its employees had appropriate personal protective equipment.
In the NICU, Sisgundo was a baby whisperer, adept at coaxing the fussiest newborn to sleep.
鈥淪he wanted to have babies,鈥 Avellana said, 鈥渂ut she wasn鈥檛 lucky to find a good guy.鈥
In March, Sisgundo started feeling sick. Struggling to breathe, she was taken to Queens Hospital, where Avellana works. The hospital was overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients, and Avellana couldn鈥檛 reach Sisgundo before she was intubated. 鈥淚t was crazy, crazy,鈥 Avellana recalled, her voice trailing off.
She visited Sisgundo every day until her death.
The friends were supposed to travel to the Philippines to celebrate their birthdays. Now, Avellana is going to transport her best friend home.
鈥 Kathleen Horan | Published July 14, 2020
RN Nourished Souls as Well as Bodies
(The Abellera family and the Angelus Funeral Home)
Milagros D. Abellera
Age: 65 Occupation: Registered nurse Place of Work: Baptist Medical Center and Kindred Hospital in San Antonio Date of Death: May 13, 2020
Milagros Abellera cooked Philippine feasts for her husband, Roberto, six children and grandchildren. Sometimes they鈥檇 host nearly 100 people. No one ever left hungry.
A devout Catholic, Milagros also nourished souls wherever she went. 鈥淪he would always bring people back to their faith,鈥 said daughter Kristine Abellera.
Milagros earned her degree in the Philippines and worked as a nurse for 46 years. She landed in Texas in the early 鈥90s.
鈥淪he was a mother hen to our young nurses,鈥 said Kyle Sinclair, CEO of Kindred Hospital San Antonio Central.
She would speak up with other nurses and doctors if she felt there was a better way to treat patients, Kristine said.
Milagros鈥 low-grade fever escalated in late March. She got tested for COVID-19 and went into home isolation once additional symptoms came on, but finally went to the hospital.
鈥淪he wanted to work it off like she does everything else,鈥 Kristine said.
On the day of her death, an American flag was flown in her honor at the Texas Capitol. It was given to her family.
鈥 Eriech Tapia, University of Oklahoma | Published July 10, 2020
22-Year-Old EMT Treated Everyone Like Family
(Laura and Paul Granger)
John Paul Granger
Age: 22 Occupation: Emergency medical technician Place of Work: Vital Care EMS in Greenville, South Carolina Date of Death: May 26, 2020
John Paul Granger was used to working on the front lines. He aided federal hurricane disaster relief efforts in Texas and Florida. John Paul 鈥渨as dedicated 鈥 to the profession of being a first responder,鈥 Vital Care wrote in a statement .
JP, as he was also known, started washing ambulance trucks after high school and worked his way up to driver and EMT. He enjoyed boating, flying lessons and throwing the ball with his rescue dog, Shadow. He aspired to be a chef.
鈥淗e was one of the happiest people I鈥檇 ever met,鈥 said Patrick Hahne, a friend and former Vital Care driver. No matter your race, sexual orientation or religious belief, 鈥渉e would treat you like a brother or sister.鈥
John Paul was the only child of Laura and Paul Granger, who said he had 鈥渁 smile that would light up any room.鈥
One of South Carolina鈥檚 youngest COVID victims, he died after a month in the hospital, his mother by his side.
Hahne said he and JP 鈥渇requently expressed how inadequate the PPE and precautions鈥 were. Initially, he added, the only protection they typically had when transporting patients to dialysis clinics, for example, was surgical masks. Hahne said they started wearing N95 masks a few days before JP fell ill.
Vital Care did not respond to requests for comment.
鈥 Katja Ridderbusch | Published July 10, 2020
Nurse鈥檚 Assistant Was a Perfectionist Who Doted on Patients
(Mike Graveline)
Elva Graveline
Age: 52 Occupation: Certified nursing assistant Place of Work: Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London, Connecticut Date of Death: May 19, 2020
Elva Graveline took small, graceful steps down the hospital corridors.
"You could see her smile coming," said Connie Fields, her local union president.
A perfectionist at work, Elva arrived over an hour early for her 6:45 a.m. shift, according to her husband, Mike Graveline. She doted on her patients with shampoo and razors that she brought from home.
"She just wanted them smelling good," Mike said.
Elva, born in Texas to Mexican American parents, adored her two daughters and three granddaughters. The third was born in April, but she never got to hold the baby because she was exposed to COVID-19 at work. Elva worked on a COVID floor, caring for as many as 12 patients a day, Mike said.
Fields said she believes Elva got sick from reusing protective gear: In March, Elva and others wore the same N95 respirator masks for two weeks, Fields said, though by early May they had new N95s each day.
Hospital spokesperson Fiona Phelan replied that "we value and respect [staff members] too much to not provide the protective gear needed in this battle."
Elva tested positive for COVID-19 on May 12 and died a week later of cardiac arrest.
"This should never have happened," Mike recalled telling his wife. "I just wish this was me."
鈥 Melissa Bailey | Published July 10, 2020
ICU Nurse Who Treated the First U.S. COVID Cases Dies of the Virus
(Kathy Julian)
Kurt Julian
Age: 63 Occupation: Intensive care nurse Place of Work: EvergreenHealth Medical Center in Kirkland, Washington Date of Death: May 29, 2020
After the first U.S. surge of COVID-19 patients slammed his hospital in late February, Kurt Julian tended to its victims for weeks.
Then after three nights of caring for a COVID patient, Julian contracted the coronavirus.
鈥淚t was almost surreal, trying to think about this crazy new infection,鈥 said his wife, Kathy Julian, an ICU nurse at a Seattle hospital. Her husband had ample protective gear and was careful in its use. Hospital officials said they were grateful for the compassionate care Julian provided.
When his symptoms began, Julian鈥檚 biggest concern was infecting his family, including four children ages 12 to 17.
In April, Julian was taken by ambulance to his own ICU and, later, placed on a ventilator by colleagues. In May, doctors at a trauma center used ECMO 鈥 extracorporeal membrane oxygenation 鈥 in a last-ditch effort to save him.
Kathy and their oldest son were present as nurses withdrew life support. The world lost a diligent nurse as well as a witty, creative soul who loved working with wood and stained glass at the family鈥檚 rural 5-acre property.
鈥淚 want people to get that this is real,鈥 Kathy said. 鈥淩eal people are dying.鈥
鈥 JoNel Aleccia, Kaiser Health News | Published July 10, 2020
鈥楩orce of Nature鈥 Wanted to Reform Social Work
(The Roncskevitz family)
Sarah Roncskevitz
Age: 32 Occupation: Medical social worker Place of Work: Emergency Department, Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center in San Francisco Date of Death: May 30, 2020
Sarah Roncskevitz was larger than life, a vibrant, kind, generous and sometimes vexing bundle of superlatives: 鈥渁 pillar of strength,鈥 鈥渁 force of nature,鈥 鈥渁 warrior mom,鈥 friends wrote on Facebook.
鈥淪he exuded so much light,鈥 said G. Allen Ratliff, her social work teacher at the University of California-Berkeley. In class, she stood out as always prepared, seated up front and eager to dig into issues.
She also had her troubles in the past, including addiction and domestic violence. That experience, Ratliff said, was the backbone of her work. 鈥淪he had been very frustrated with social workers in her life,鈥 he said. She was drawn to the profession, in a sense, to right those wrongs.
Kaiser San Francisco鈥檚 chaotic Emergency Department was exactly where she wanted to be. Yet she became increasingly concerned the hospital was unprepared for the pandemic. Her mom, Tami Leal-Roncskevitz, said in an email that Sarah was scolded in March for wearing a surgical mask, accused of contributing to the mask shortage and making patients fearful.
In an emailed statement, a Kaiser spokesperson wrote that the hospital was 鈥渄evastated by [her] tragic death,鈥 adding that the hospital followed all CDC precautions and that her complaint about mask-wearing 鈥渄oes not accurately reflect our policy.鈥
She became ill in mid-May but tested negative. On May 26, she collapsed at home. Hospitalized, she retested as positive and never regained consciousness.
鈥 Maureen O鈥橦agan | Published July 10, 2020
ICU Nurse Found His Passion Caring for Children, Burn Patients
(Melvin Tam)
J. Aleksandr Vollmann
Age: 57 Occupation: ICU nurse, pediatric and burn units Place of Work: Harborview Medical Center in Seattle Date of Death: May 19, 2020
J. Aleksandr Vollmann, known as Aleks to friends and family, honed his caregiving skills as an Army medic and his discipline as an at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
But the 57-year-old intensive care nurse in Seattle found his true passion at the bedsides of sick children and burn patients.
鈥淗e would tell me he would never leave here,鈥 said Melvin Tam, who worked with Vollmann for more than a decade. 鈥淗e found a home.鈥
In April, Vollmann contracted COVID-19, possibly from a patient. He was hospitalized twice with the virus and recovered. He was ready to return to work when he collapsed during an errand at Costco, days before his 58th birthday. He died of a probable heart attack complicated by blood clots related to COVID-19, records show.
鈥淭he COVID compromised him,鈥 said his older sister, Jackie Martin. 鈥淧eople that recover, they don鈥檛 recover completely, and he didn鈥檛.鈥
More than 100 people attended Vollmann鈥檚 memorial service at the hospital. He was remembered as a talented chef, the devoted owner of two cats, Azi and Kaali 鈥 and an exceptional nurse. Hospital officials issued a statement mourning his loss.
鈥淭here was so much love,鈥 Martin said. 鈥淭hat really was his family.鈥
鈥 JoNel Aleccia, Kaiser Health News | Published July 10, 2020
Nursing Aide Who Kept to Himself 鈥榃as Just Work, Work, Work鈥
(Cecilia Bautista)
Nestor Bautista
Age: 62 Occupation: Nursing aide Place of Work: Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, New Jersey Date of Death: April 15, 2020
Nestor Bautista came from a family of quiet men. He was quiet, too, said Cecilia Bautista, one of his four siblings.
Cecilia and Nestor came to the U.S. from the Philippines in the 1980s. Cecilia became a nurse. Nestor, who had studied engineering, became a nursing aide.
Nestor lived with Cecilia's family and worked at the same hospital for 24 years, she said. Nestor, who had diabetes, cooked for himself and "preferred to do things alone."
He picked up extra shifts on his days off and didn't need to be told what to do, Cecilia said. "He was just work, work, work."
Eight days after he was hospitalized with COVID-19, Cecilia spoke to Nestor by phone. He said he felt OK. The next day, he was transferred to intensive care, where he died of cardiac arrest.
A nurse with whom Nestor worked died the same day of COVID-19 complications. A hospital spokesperson declined to comment on their deaths, citing privacy.
Cecilia has placed Nestor's ashes in an urn in his bedroom. She plans to take the ashes to the Philippines, where families visit graveyards every Nov. 1, and put them next to an older brother鈥檚.
Nestor had few friends, she said, but this way, "if someone will visit my other brother, someone will visit Nestor as well."
鈥 Melissa Bailey | Published July 7, 2020
Haitian Immigrant鈥檚 4 Children Followed Her Into Health Care Field
(Paul da Costa)
Monemise Romelus
Age: 61 Occupation: Nursing aide Place of Work: New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park in Edison, New Jersey Date of Death: May 11, 2020
Each day for lunch, Monemise Romelus and her fellow Haitian co-workers would heat up bowl after bowl of traditional cuisine: fried turkey, rice and peas, griot. They shared with all, said Shirley Lewis, her union president.
Romelus, who worked on a floor with COVID patients, was a quiet woman with many friends, Lewis said. Romelus beamed when talking about her four children, all of whom work in health care.
When the pandemic began, workers initially were told not to wear masks so they wouldn't scare patients, said Paul da Costa, a lawyer representing Romelus' family. She worked without adequate protective gear, contracted COVID-19 and died, he said.
More than 100 workers at the veterans home have tested positive for COVID-19; , state data shows. Facility spokesperson Kryn Westhoven declined to comment on Romelus' death but said workers "are directed to wear PPE in accordance with CDC guidelines."
Management never acknowledged Romelus' death, Lewis said. When the police killing of George Floyd ignited protests nationwide, staffers and supervisors gathered for eight minutes of silence. Lewis said she insisted they hold a moment of silence for Romelus, too.
鈥 Melissa Bailey | Published July 7, 2020
A Nurse From Cameroon Who Liked to Sing and Dance
Quen Agbor Ako
Age: 53 Occupation: Registered nurse Place of Work: FutureCare Old Court nursing home in Randallstown, Maryland Date of Death: April 10, 2020
Quen Ako to wear stylish, bright clothing and break out in song and dance. Posting to an online memorial, friends, family and co-workers described a lively, compassionate woman.
鈥淢y memory of you is that of a warm person, one that will break out in songs of joy,鈥 one friend wrote. Another described laughing at an inside joke with Ako just weeks before her death. 鈥淒id I for one second think that I would never hear that resounding, hearty laughter again?鈥
Born in Cameroon, Ako worked as a guidance counselor and teacher before coming to the U.S., where she earned her nursing degree. She worked for a chain of nursing homes and rehabilitation centers that saw massive COVID-19 outbreaks.
Ako鈥檚 family declined to be interviewed for this article but a local news station that she had died of COVID-19. The Guardian independently verified Ako鈥檚 cause of death with one of her former co-workers. Ako鈥檚 employer did not respond to requests for comment about her death.
鈥 | Published June 30, 2020
Firefighter Who Lit Up Others鈥 Lives
(Richard Whitehead)
Mario Araujo
Age: 49 Occupation: Firefighter and emergency medical technician Place of Work: Chicago Fire Department Truck Company 25 Date of Death: April 7, 2020
Despite fighting fires and treating the injured for nearly 20 years, Mario Araujo remained goofy and light.
He had an uncanny ability to pry open roofs and pop open doors, said Richard Whitehead, a fellow firefighter. But he also loved playing virtual slot machines and cracking jokes.
"He was always kidding around. You could never take him serious,鈥 Whitehead said. 鈥淏ut when it came time to go to work, he was just always ready to go."
He was the first Chicago firefighter to die from the coronavirus, the department confirmed. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot honored him on Twitter: 鈥淢ario selflessly dedicated his life to protecting our communities.鈥
Araujo approached his relationship with his girlfriend, Rosa Castillo, 48, and her son, Leo, 7, with the same zeal. He was attentive, picking up Leo from school and giving him a tablet computer so they could speak when he traveled.
鈥淗e taught my son a lot, even if they didn鈥檛 share the same blood,鈥 Castillo said.
Castillo told Leo that God took Araujo to ease his suffering. She said her child believes he is an angel: 鈥淗e hugs me and says, 鈥楳om, I can feel Daddy with us.鈥欌
鈥 Carmen Heredia Rodriguez, Kaiser Health News | Published June 30, 2020
Ghanaian Nurse Made 鈥榓 Deep Impact Across the Planet鈥
(Kojoh Atta)
Bernard Atta
Age: 61 Occupation: Registered nurse Place of Work: Correctional Reception Center in Orient, Ohio Date of Death: May 17, 2020
In December 2019, Kojoh Atta returned to his father鈥檚 hometown in Offinso, Ghana. Kojoh arrived alone, but everybody knew his father, Bernard Atta.
As a nurse in Ohio鈥檚 prison system, Bernard worked overtime so he could afford to ship 鈥渄rums of clothes鈥 across the Atlantic to the Takoradi port. Inside were sneakers, sandals and Ralph Lauren polos for cousins. 鈥淎lways with stripes,鈥 Kojoh said, 鈥渟o the boys knew they were special.鈥
The regard for his father made Kojoh realize 鈥渢here are countless unsung heroes making a deep impact across the planet.鈥
In New York last summer, the two visited the United Nations to pay respects to a portrait of their hero, Kofi Annan, a former U.N. secretary-general from Ghana. They cried. 鈥淟ook at this man, and look at us,鈥 Bernard told his son. 鈥淲e came from nothing, but we are here. We are making it.鈥
As COVID-19 ravaged Ohio, Kojoh urged his father to leave work, worried about inadequate protective gear. Bernard refused, citing 鈥渉is duty,鈥 Kojoh said. 鈥淧PE was, and continues to be available to staff,鈥 a prison spokesperson said.
Bernard showed symptoms and tested positive for COVID-19, but he remained home, fearing the hospital bills. Awakened by a flurry of WhatsApp messages, Kojoh learned his father died, leaving behind his wife, three other children and grandchildren.
鈥淗e never could live for himself,鈥 Kojoh said, 鈥渂ut he鈥檚 finally on vacation, in eternal paradise.鈥
鈥 Eli Cahan | Published June 30, 2020
On Eve of Her Retirement, Nurse Took Ill
(Kristin Carbone)
Barbara Birchenough
Age: 65 Occupation: Registered nurse Place of Work: Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, New Jersey Date of Death: April 15, 2020
Barbara Birchenough consistently mailed cards to her family and friends, for birthdays, holidays or just as a pleasant surprise. Her youngest son, Matthew Birchenough, said it reflected her personality: quiet, thoughtful and kind.
Birchenough began training as a nurse right after high school and worked for 46 years. Her retirement was planned for April 4, with a big party to follow.
On March 24, she came home from work and told Matthew that four floors of the hospital had been taken over with COVID patients.
The next day, she began to cough. In text messages with her oldest daughter that morning, she conveyed that protective gear was lacking at the hospital. 鈥淭he ICU nurses were making gowns out of garbage bags,鈥 Barbara texted. 鈥淒ad is going to pick up large garbage bags for me just in case.鈥
When Birchenough returned to the hospital, though, it was as a patient. Her eldest daughter, Kristin Carbone, said she tested positive for COVID shortly before she died.
A Clara Maass spokesperson said the hospital has been compliant with state and CDC guidelines for protective gear.
鈥 Christina Jewett, Kaiser Health News | Published June 30, 2020
First COVID Casualty Among Staff at His Hospital, Nurse 鈥楬ad No Enemies鈥
Patrick cain and his wife, Kate (Kelly Indish)
Patrick Cain
Age: 52 Occupation: Registered nurse Place of Work: McLaren Flint Hospital in Flint, Michigan Date of Death: April 4, 2020
Patrick Cain was a dedicated nurse, always 鈥渃lose to his patients,鈥 said Teresa Ciesielski, a nurse and former colleague. 鈥淭he guy had no enemies.鈥
Cain was from Canada 鈥 a heritage he was especially proud of, Ciesielski recalled. He met his wife, Kate, in 1994, when they both worked in Texas. They had a son.
鈥淗e was an amazing father,鈥 Ciesiekski said. 鈥淗e was always talking about his kid.鈥
Cain鈥檚 ICU work meant caring for patients awaiting COVID test results. Some days, he worked outside the room where 鈥渟uspected COVID鈥 patients were being treated. The hospital hadn鈥檛 provided protective gear, despite his requests, according to Kelly Indish, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 875, his union.
On March 26, he texted Indish. He was worried he had been exposed to the virus the week before, and he hadn鈥檛 had a mask. 鈥淢cLaren screwed us,鈥 he wrote.
A hospital spokesperson said employees received appropriate gear based on government guidelines. But those rules didn鈥檛 mandate N95s 鈥 known to block viruses 鈥 for workers who, like Cain, were providing care but weren鈥檛 performing aerosolizing treatments, which can release virus particles into the air.
COVID-19 came with a fever, loss of appetite, dry cough, nausea. Cain was the hospital鈥檚 first employee known to die of the illness.
鈥 Shefali Luthra, Kaiser Health News | Published June 30, 2020
Grateful Immigrant Who Loved Thanksgiving Catered to Chinese Community
(The Hsu family)
Alex Hsu
Age: 67 Occupation: Internal medicine physician Place of Work: Hsu & Loy Medical Group in Margate, Florida Date of Death: March 24, 2020
Alex Hsu loved Thanksgiving.
Sitting down with his family for the holiday feast, Hsu always spoke for at least 10 minutes about how grateful he was to be in America. Hsu 鈥渄idn鈥檛 really come from much,鈥 said Zach Hsu, his son.
Hsu fled Communist China, first immigrating to Hong Kong and then to Hawaii, where he attended medical school. He served his residency in Kentucky and, eventually, landed in Broward County, Florida, where he practiced for decades.
As one of the few Chinese-speaking internal medicine doctors in the area, Hsu would see 鈥渁 crazy amount of patients, and he never complained about it,鈥 Zach said. As Hsu aged, he turned to Buddhism and meditation and wrote loving notes to his children as they left for college.
It is not clear how Hsu contracted COVID-19. He had traveled to New York weeks before falling ill but also was seeing patients who could have been carrying the virus.
Hsu worked in a private practice with privileges at Northwest Medical Center. His staff did not return requests for comment. Hsu died at the same hospital where he had cared for patients.
鈥 Sarah Jane Tribble, Kaiser Health News | Published June 30, 2020
Hospital Supply Manager Lacked Protective Gear for Himself
(Bill Sohmer)
Roger Liddell
Age: 64 Occupation: Supply manager Place of Work: McLaren Flint hospital in Flint, Michigan Date of Death: April 10, 2020
Roger Liddell was a family man. One of nine siblings, he frequently visited his extended family back in Mississippi. He was involved in his church and loved cooking, Westerns and the Chicago Bears.
After high school, Liddell joined the Marine Corps. Upon finishing his service, he moved to Chicago, working for the U.S. Postal Service. Finally, he settled down in Michigan, working at McLaren Flint for almost 20 years.
His job took him all over the hospital. And as COVID cases climbed, he was worried.
Liddell requested protective gear from his hospital, said Bill Sohmer, president of AFSCME Local 2650, which represents non-technical employees at the hospital. Since he didn鈥檛 treat patients, he was denied 鈥 even though his work took him to floors with COVID-positive patients.
In an email, a hospital spokesperson said McLaren Flint had followed government guidelines to ensure employees received sufficient protective gear.
On March 30, Liddell posted to Facebook: He had worked the previous week in the ICU and critical care unit, without PPE. 鈥淧ray for me God is still in control,鈥 he wrote.
Liddell tested positive for COVID-19. He was put on a ventilator but died, leaving behind his wife, four children, two stepchildren and 11 grandchildren.
鈥 Shefali Luthra, Kaiser Health News | Published June 30, 2020
A Doctor and a Poet Who 鈥榃asn鈥檛 Done鈥
(Adam Oglesbee)
John Robert Oglesbee
Age: 80 Occupation: Family physician Place of Work: CCOM Medical Group Cardiology Clinic in Muskogee, Oklahoma Date of Death: April 26, 2020
A bushel of corn or meat from the family cow was how some of John Oglesbee鈥檚 clients paid him. No matter, he always put his clients first.
鈥淗e loved small-town Oklahoma,鈥 said grandson Adam Oglesbee.
For nearly 30 years, John Oglesbee had his clinic outside of Ada until the mid-90s, when he began fill-in work at rural emergency rooms for a time before ending up in his hometown.
An avid reader of books on every topic, he would always return to the Bible. He was a churchgoer and deacon for many years, often guest-preaching.
Wherever he went, Oglesbee wrote poems, whether on a napkin or the back of an envelope, stuffing them in books within his vast home library.
He saw patients until he contracted COVID-19. On March 19, he went into home isolation. He tested positive March 23.
鈥淗e told me when I last saw him at his home through the window, 鈥楧ammit, I wasn鈥檛 done,鈥欌 Adam said. 鈥淗e was a doctor until the day he died.鈥
Multiple attempts to reach CCOM Medical Group for comment went unanswered.
鈥 Eriech Tapia, University of Oklahoma | Published June 30, 2020
Big-Hearted Nurse Feared for the Safety of Those Who Cared for Her
(Lori Rodriguez)
Sandra Oldfield
Age: 53 Occupation: Registered nurse Place of Work: Kaiser Permanente Fresno Medical Center in Fresno, California Date of Death: May 25, 2020
Sandra Oldfield had a big heart and couldn鈥檛 say no to anyone, her sister Lori Rodriguez said. She had no children of her own but loved to spoil and care for her nieces and nephews.
She was a nurse who would listen to others鈥 problems. And she could amplify those concerns for management without losing her composure, Rodriguez said.
Oldfield had concerns of her own in mid-March while caring for critically ill patients in the telemetry unit. She was upset that she was given a surgical mask 鈥 not nearly as protective as an N95 respirator 鈥 to treat patients as COVID-19 was spreading.
Her concern was on point: She cared for a patient whose initial symptoms didn鈥檛 meet the well-known COVID profile, but who tested positive for the virus.
鈥淚 feel if she had an N95, she would be here today,鈥 Rodriguez said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 want to see anyone else lose their life like my sister did.鈥
Kaiser Fresno said it has followed state and federal guidelines on protective gear. (KHN is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.)
Rodriguez said her sister resisted going to the hospital as her symptoms worsened, reluctant to expose paramedics or hospital staffers to the virus. When Oldfield agreed that an ambulance should be called, she wanted the paramedics to be advised to take every precaution.
鈥 Christina Jewett, Kaiser Health News | Published June 30, 2020
The 鈥楲ife of the Party鈥 Who Bonded With Patients
(Christina Ravanes)
John Abruzzo
Age: 62 Occupation: Registered nurse Place of Work: Huntington Hospital in Huntington, New York Date of Death: April 2, 2020
Long Island is where John Abruzzo was born, raised, worked and died. The second of 14 children, he was the 鈥渓ife of the party,鈥 said his daughter, Christina Ravanes. He loved poker and fishing. He had a son as well, and three grandchildren.
Abruzzo developed strong friendships with patients, said Susan Knoepffler, the hospital鈥檚 chief nursing officer. 鈥淗e had a winning smile. He was kind of a teddy bear,鈥 she said.
He tested positive for COVID-19 in late March and died five days later. 鈥淚 went from seeing my dad at a wedding,鈥 Ravanes said, 鈥渢o the next time I see him, it鈥檚 ashes.鈥
John鈥檚 wife, Mary Abruzzo, died eight days later, on her birthday, Ravanes said, likely from complications related to Type 1 diabetes (she had not been exposed to John when he was infected).
As of June 18, no other nurses at Huntington hospital had died of COVID-19, Knoepffler said, adding that the facility was well prepared and never ran out of supplies. What鈥檚 missing, she said, is Abruzzo.
鈥 James Faris, James Madison University | Published June 26, 2020
A Nurse and Pastor Who Tended to Bodies and Souls
(The Boles family)
Dorothy Boles
Age: 65 Occupation: Licensed practical nurse Place of Work: Greenwood Leflore Hospital in Greenwood, Mississippi Date of Death: April 3, 2020
Dorothy Boles had two callings: one as a healer and the other as an ordained minister.
鈥淢ama Boles,鈥 as she was known, was a counselor and caretaker, said longtime friend and colleague Glory Boyd. Boles mentored aspiring ministers at First Chosen Tabernacle Church and welcomed recovering patients into her home.
鈥淪he went over, above and beyond,鈥 said Boyd, the hospital鈥檚 chief nursing officer. 鈥淪he cared for other people before she cared for herself.鈥
When patients leaving the hospital didn鈥檛 have the means to recover on their own, Boles opened her home to them, her son Marcus Banks聽 a local newspaper. Most stayed a few days. One young man stayed five years.
鈥淥nce she nursed him back to health, he just hung around,鈥 Banks told the paper. 鈥淪he just felt that nobody could take care of him like she could.鈥
Boles was admitted March 22 to the hospital where she had worked for 42 years. She was among the first four people to die of COVID-19 in Leflore County.
The hospital renamed the nurses鈥 station in her memory.
鈥 Michaela Gibson Morris | Published June 26, 2020
Pediatric Nurse Wore 鈥楳inions鈥 Scrubs and Connected With Children
(Carlos Dominguez)
Karla Dominguez
Age: 33 Occupation: Registered nurse Place of Work: Providence Children鈥檚 Hospital in El Paso, Texas Date of Death: April 19, 2020
Karla Dominguez鈥檚 medical 鈥減racticing鈥 began at a young age, with a doctor鈥檚 bag she got one Christmas. 鈥淓very time I came home, she鈥檇 say, 鈥楲et me listen to your heart; let me see how you鈥檙e doing,鈥欌 recalled her father, Carlos Dominguez.
She dreamed of becoming a pediatric neurosurgeon. Hurdles getting into medical school dampened her spirits. Then she pursued nursing, a field in which she blossomed.
鈥淪he was so full of joy, so happy with her work,鈥 said Dominguez, a doctor. She wore scrubs with cartoon Minions and managed to connect with even the most challenging patients, her father said. A few years into her nursing career, she considered reapplying to medical school, but ultimately decided to stick with nursing because it allowed for more interaction with patients.
In early April, she began experiencing excruciating headaches 鈥 symptoms that have since been associated with COVID-19. She visited urgent care and the emergency room and was twice denied a coronavirus test. She was eventually hospitalized. Tests revealed she had the virus and CT scans showed brain hemorrhaging.
Dominguez doesn鈥檛 know how his daughter contracted the virus but suspects she may have contracted it at work. Providence did not respond to a request for comment.
鈥 Maureen O鈥橦agan | Published June 26, 2020
Passionate EMT and Volunteer Firefighter Was 'Constantly on Call'
(Shana Konek)
Jeremy Emerich
Age: 40 Occupation: Emergency medical technician Place of Work: Lehigh Valley Health Network MedEvac in Center Valley, Pennsylvania Date of Death: May 21, 2020
Jeremy Emerich and his girlfriend, Shana Konek, made a pact: Home is home. Work is work.
They set aside time to do things they loved, like watching 鈥淭he Big Bang Theory鈥 or walking their two beagle-mix puppies. 鈥淯nless we scheduled it in, it wasn鈥檛 happening,鈥 Konek said.
An Army veteran who served in Iraq, Emerich 鈥渨as passionate and loved a challenge,鈥 Konek said. When he wasn鈥檛 taking emergency shifts, he volunteered for the Exeter Township Fire Department. 鈥淗e was constantly on call, always lending a helping hand,鈥 said Konek, an emergency medical services dispatcher.
If families of patients were in shock, he鈥檇 comfort them 鈥 sometimes in Spanish, to his colleagues鈥 surprise. Emerich worked long shifts caring for COVID-19 patients across the Lehigh Valley, for which he was equipped with adequate protective gear, Konek said. His employer could not be reached for comment.
On April 25, Emerich鈥檚 appetite began to wane and he complained of 鈥渁 little fever.鈥 Konek took his temperature: 104 degrees. A week later, he was in the ICU.
On May 8, Emerich told Konek he was signing some paperwork and would call her back.
鈥淚 never got that call,鈥 Konek said.
鈥 Eli Cahan | Published June 26, 2020
He Bridged Cultures With Cooking and Camaraderie
(Diana Ese Odighizuwa)
Paul Odighizuwa
Age: 61 Occupation: Food services coordinator Place of Work: Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in Portland, Oregon Date of Death: May 12, 2020
When Paul Odighizuwa left Nigeria in 1987, he enrolled at Portland State University to study visual arts and began a decades-long career at OHSU, a large teaching hospital. He became a pillar of the area鈥檚 close-knit Nigerian community.
鈥淧aul was such a go-to guy,鈥 said Ezekiel Ette, a friend. 鈥淚f you needed something done, Paul would do it, and do it graciously.鈥
As a student, he helped paint a prominent mural depicting African and African American heroes 鈥 it stood for decades in聽Portland鈥檚 King neighborhood.
Odighizuwa, who worked in the hospital鈥檚 food services department, cooked traditional Nigerian dishes at home 鈥 as well as American-style pancakes with 鈥渃rispy edges,鈥 his daughter, Diana, said.
In mid-March, his union complained that management in Odighizuwa鈥檚 department was not allowing proper social distancing. Eleven people in the department became ill, and Odighizuwa died.
OHSU did not respond to a request for comment.
鈥 Maureen O鈥橦agan | Published June 26, 2020
She Answered a Calling and Helped Fellow Native Americans
(Charmayne Bedonie)
Barbara Bedonie
Age: 56 Occupation: Certified medication aide Place of Work: Cedar Ridge Inn in Farmington, New Mexico Date of Death: May 16, 2020
Barbara Bedonie was happily raising three children when she realized she wanted to do more. She enrolled to become a certified nursing assistant, which turned out to be a calling.
鈥淪he was truly happy working,鈥 her daughter Charmayne Bedonie said. 鈥淚鈥檝e been hearing so many stories from families she鈥檚 helped.鈥
For 17 years, Barbara worked at a nursing home and received awards for perfect attendance. Management admired her work ethic enough to pay for her to become a certified medication aide. She was Navajo and could speak to residents at the home in their Indigenous tongue.
鈥淚 know she helped a lot of people just by speaking the language,鈥 Charmayne said.
The home had reported a number of COVID cases. Bedonie tested negative for the virus repeatedly, but, overwhelmed by fatigue, she knew something was wrong. She was hospitalized and finally a test confirmed she had the coronavirus, Charmayne said.
Charmayne expressed praise for the hospital and the nursing home. Her employer did not respond to questions about protective gear and said only, 鈥淐edar Ridge Inn misses our beloved colleague very much.鈥
Charmayne said families have been sharing stories about her mother. 鈥淭hey say she was a beautiful soul, inside and out,鈥 she said.
鈥 Maureen O鈥橦agan | Published June 23, 2020
Travel Nurse Was 鈥榓 Country Boy at Heart'
Denny Gilliam and his wife, Amanda Marr Gilliam (Amanda Marr Gilliam)
Denny Gilliam
Age: 53 Occupation: Travel nurse Place of Work: NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, via Trustaff Date of Death: May 7, 2020
Amanda Marr Gilliam was on a cigarette break when Denny Gilliam threw that first glance. 鈥淭hose blue eyes caught me,鈥 she said. 鈥淭he very next day, we started dating.鈥
Gilliam treasured family time, like movie nights, when the kids would pile into the couple鈥檚 king-size bed with chips and French onion dip.
鈥淎 country boy at heart,鈥 Gilliam loved the outdoors, Amanda said. He took the family hunting for ginseng, digging for frogs and camping throughout the Appalachian Mountains near their home in Pelham, Tennessee. He and Amanda liked to fish in Lake Chickamauga for crappie and bluegill.
Gilliam was a committed nurse 鈥 it was his second career, after serving in the military. In April, when he learned New York hospitals were short-staffed in the pandemic, he felt obliged to serve.
In early May, when Amanda didn鈥檛 hear from him for 鈥渨hat felt like eternity,鈥 she called 35 hotels near the hospital before finding where he鈥檇 checked in. A private investigator confirmed: He had died days earlier of COVID-19.
鈥淢y worst fear came true,鈥 Amanda said.
鈥 Eli Cahan | Published June 23, 2020
鈥楬e Explored Life Without Restrictions鈥
(Monique Bertolotti)
Gianmarco Bertolotti
Age: 42 Occupation: Mason Place of Work: Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City Date of Death: April 22, 2020
Decades ago, two girls asked Gianmarco Bertolotti to the senior prom. Even as a teenager, Bertolotti was 鈥渟uch a sweet soul,鈥 said Monique Bertolotti, his sister. Instead of rejecting either one, he skipped prom.
As a child visiting grandparents in Rapallo, Italy, Bertolotti would invariably return from town with 鈥渇ocaccia, espresso and stories of the friends he鈥檇 made.鈥 As an adult, the man known as 鈥淕-Funk鈥 had 鈥渁 special way about him,鈥 Monique said, 鈥渇org[ing] a lasting bond with everyone he met.鈥
An avid traveler, he鈥檇 visited New Orleans and Japan in recent years. 鈥淗e explored life without restrictions,鈥 Monique said.
A mason, Bertolotti took the subway from his home in Queens every morning to help repair the hospital鈥檚 ceilings, floors, soap dispensers and sharps collectors. But on April 13, he called his sister because he was coughing up blood after carrying a case of seltzer up three flights of stairs.
The next morning, he went to the emergency room. A week later, he was dead. 鈥淧rotecting our employees 鈥 has been our priority from day one,鈥 the hospital said in a statement.
鈥 Eli Cahan | Published June 19, 2020
An Unflappable Nurse Who Loved Playing Tour Guide
(Michelle Helminski)
Edwin Montanano
Age: 73 Occupation: Registered nurse Place of Work: Wellpath at Hudson County Correctional Center in Kearny, New Jersey Date of Death: April 5, 2020
Edwin Montanano went to the U.S. Open every year. He loved Broadway shows, especially 鈥淢iss Saigon,鈥 but also 鈥淟es Mis茅rables,鈥 鈥淭he Phantom of the Opera鈥 and 鈥淐ats.鈥 He liked candy 鈥 Symphony bars and M&M鈥檚. And he and his wife, Annabella, relished hosting guests.
鈥淢y parents always had an open-door policy, and [growing up] it was always a very busy house,鈥 said Michelle Helminski, his daughter. 鈥淲hen relatives or friends would come to visit, my dad would take them to New York 鈥 he was an expert tour guide.鈥
In more recent years, his four young grandchildren became a focal point in his life.
Montanano, who studied nursing in his native Philippines, worked at St. Michael鈥檚 Medical Center in New Jersey for 30 years alongside Annabella; Michelle and her brother, Matthew, were born at the hospital. After retiring, Edwin returned to work as a nurse at a nearby prison.
Helminski said she does not know whether her father contracted the virus at work, but as of May, at least three other workers at the prison had died of COVID-19. A representative from Wellpath, Montanano鈥檚 employer, wrote that, 鈥淥ur clinical personnel have ongoing access to masks, gowns, and other PPE, as well as the training to use it effectively.鈥
Montanano developed COVID-19 symptoms in late March and died at St. Michael鈥檚.
鈥 | Published June 19, 2020
A Former Marine Whose Altruism Shined in the Operating Room
(Valerie Alford)
Jerry Alford
Age: 60 Occupation: Licensed practical nurse Place of Work: DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, Alabama Date of Death: April 22, 2020
Jerry Alford brought the same meticulous care to nursing he鈥檇 learned as a reconnaissance Marine. He was a stickler for maintaining a sterile workspace and never passed on the chance to lighten a co-worker鈥檚 load.
Jerry dedicated 32 years to nursing and spent 27 of them married to Valerie, a trauma ICU nurse. Together they raised three sons and had three grandchildren.
When the pandemic hit, Jerry transferred to the emergency room, where Valerie believes he contracted COVID-19, despite access to personal protective equipment. Jerry鈥檚 employer did not respond to questions about whether he may have contracted the virus at work.
Jerry had celebrated his 60th birthday in January with a blowout surprise party. His wife and sons invited family he hadn鈥檛 seen in years. 鈥淣ot knowing that was going to be his last birthday,鈥 said Valerie, 鈥渢hat鈥檚 the best thing I could have done for him."
鈥 Suzannah Cavanaugh, City University of New York | Published June 17, 2020
An Urgent Care Physician Beloved by His Patients
(Nikki Friedman)
Arthur Friedman
Age: 62 Occupation: Urgent care physician Place of Work: Independent Physician Association of Nassau/Suffolk counties in Smithtown, New York Date of Death: April 30, 2020
When Arthur Friedman did not get into medical school in the United States, he enrolled in a school in Tampico, Mexico, teaching himself Spanish. 鈥淗e was willing to do whatever it took,鈥 said Eric Friedman, his son.
Arthur went on to open his own urgent care facility in Commack, New York. Though he was best known for his decades of work there, he was working at a clinic in Smithtown over the past year.
Arthur loved boating, the outdoors and hoped to retire soon in Florida, to be near his children. When COVID-19 hit, he put those plans aside.
鈥淗e seemed like a superhero to us. Nothing fazed him,鈥 said Nikki Friedman, his daughter. Arthur began to experience symptoms on April 10 and tested positive shortly after. (His employer did not respond to requests for comment.)
He died on April 30 and was buried next to his youngest son, Greg, who died in 2014.
Scores of Arthur鈥檚 former patients reached out to his children after his death to express their love and gratitude for him.
鈥 Madeleine Kornfeld, City University of New York | Published June 17, 2020
A Former Foster Child Who Was Charting Her Own Path
(The Fuqua family)
Clair Fuqua
Age: 28 Occupation: Receptionist Place of Work: Pineville Children鈥檚 Clinic in Pineville, Louisiana Date of Death: April 2, 2020
Clair Fuqua was figuring out her path in life.
On her phone, she saved pictures of wedding dresses and venues, anticipating a proposal from her boyfriend of over two years, according to her parents, Curt and Claudia Fuqua. With an infectious smile, Clair welcomed young patients to the clinic, but she was looking forward to other roles in life.
鈥淪he was finally going to decide what she was going to do,鈥 Curt said.
Her parents, who adopted Clair and two of her younger siblings when she was 10, hoped she would follow her passion for adoption and foster care into a career. Clair valued the love and stability of her forever family; before their adoption, Clair and her siblings had lived in six different foster homes.
When the coronavirus surfaced in Louisiana, Clair was already fighting bronchitis. At work, she wore a mask to keep her cough to herself. Days after a colleague was diagnosed with COVID-19, Clair developed a fever.
Clair鈥檚 employer declined to confirm how many staff members had become sick with COVID-19 or to comment for this story.
Clair was hospitalized on March 22.
鈥淓veryone thought she would pull through,鈥 Curt said.
In Clair鈥檚 honor, friends have donated Bibles and more than $2,100 to a local charity that supports children in the foster care system.
鈥 Michaela Gibson Morris | Published June 17, 2020
A Loving Mother and Nurse Who 鈥楢lways Looked Tremendous鈥
(Scott Papetti)
Marybeth Papetti
Age: 65 Occupation: Registered nurse Place of Work: CareOne at Livingston Assisted Living in Livingston, New Jersey Date of Death: March 24, 2020
Marybeth Papetti cared for beautiful things. She planted a garden filled with 鈥渁 thousand different colors鈥 of flowers, according to her son, Scott Papetti. Her nails, hair and makeup were always done, whether hanging out with girlfriends or dining out with her husband. 鈥淪he always looked tremendous,鈥 said Scott.
鈥淵ou wouldn鈥檛 have thought she had any health issues,鈥 said Scott, referring to her pulmonary fibrosis, a condition where lung tissue is scarred and blocks oxygen from passing through freely.
Scott does not know where his mother contracted the novel coronavirus, or whether she had adequate PPE at work. Marybeth worked as the director of nurses at an assisted living facility in New Jersey, which, as of June 11, 39 cases of COVID-19 among residents and staff and 15 deaths. But she also attended parties and continued regular appointments with a pulmonologist.
Papetti went to the hospital on March 12 with a fever and shortness of breath. She stayed there for two weeks before she died.
Almost everyone who sent messages after Marybeth passed talked about how well put together she was, according to Scott. 鈥淪he would have been a wreck with not getting her hair done,鈥 he joked.
鈥 Lila Hassan | Published June 17, 2020
Pitching in After Retirement, Traveling Nurse Was an Adventurer
(Tiffany Olega)
Rosary Celaya Castro-Olega
Age: 63 Occupation: Traveling registered nurse Place of Work: Various hospitals in Los Angeles County Date of Death: March 29, 2020
Rosary Celaya Castro-Olega wasn鈥檛 what you鈥檇 call shy. At her daughter鈥檚 basketball games, she was the loudest voice in the bleachers. She dressed head-to-toe in purple: purse, glasses, phone, scrubs. She was Kobe Bryant鈥檚 No. 1 fan. And she loved sharing stories with patients.
Her oldest daughter, Tiffany Olega, recalled meeting her mother鈥檚 patients.
鈥淭hey鈥檇 say, 鈥榊our mom has told me all about you!鈥欌 she recounted. 鈥淪he didn鈥檛 just do her rounds and disappear.鈥
Even after retiring in 2017 from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, she couldn鈥檛 stay away. She filled in at hospitals that were shorthanded. In between, she traveled the globe. In 2019, she visited Germany, Japan and China.
She had a cruise planned in March. When it was canceled because of the coronavirus, she took shifts at various hospitals in Los Angeles County, hoping to help out. Olega doesn鈥檛 know if her mom cared for COVID patients. But Castro-Olega and her twin daughters 鈥 Olega鈥檚 younger sisters 鈥 developed symptoms in mid-March. All three wound up hospitalized. Castro-Olega never came home.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti honored her as the first health care worker to die of COVID-19 in L.A. County.
鈥 Maureen O鈥橦agan | Published June 12, 2020
Phlebotomist Often Struck Patients鈥 Funny Bones
Jess Fajardo (Left) and her friend Maria Hernandez (Maria Hernandez)
Jessica 鈥楯ess鈥 Fajardo
Age: 30 Occupation: Phlebotomist Place of Work: Center for Hypertension and Internal Medicine in Odessa, Texas Date of Death: April 12, 2020
Jessica 鈥淛ess鈥 Fajardo had the same best friend for 28 of her 30 years: Maria Hernandez. They hung out in school and after school. They got jobs at a restaurant and, later, a video arcade. They rented an apartment.
Even when Hernandez married, moved away and had children, they talked or texted daily. 鈥淪he would take care of anybody she could,鈥 Hernandez said.
In phlebotomy, Fajardo found a career she loved. Patients loved her, too 鈥 even though her job was sticking them with needles. More than one commented on her sense of humor, her skill, her bubbly cheer.
In late March, Fajardo started coughing, but with no identified coronavirus cases in the county, she was diagnosed with asthmatic bronchitis. It got worse. When a colleague was hospitalized with COVID-19, Fajardo went for a test. Days later, she sought emergency care.
Dr. Madhu Pamganamamula, who runs the clinic where Fajardo worked, said precautions had been in place since mid-March. Ultimately, six employees tested positive for the virus; four others tested positive for the antibodies.
Hospitalized and intubated, Fajardo鈥檚 condition appeared to be improving. But she died after doctors removed her ventilator. Said Hernandez, 鈥渟he was an amazing friend.鈥
鈥 Maureen O鈥橦agan | Published June 12, 2020
A 鈥楶rotective鈥 Presence, He Drove Seniors to Medical Appointments
(Rebecca Garrett)
Brian Garrett
Age: 45 Occupation: Van driver for patients Place of Work: Columbine Health Systems in Fort Collins, Colorado Date of Death: March 31, 2020
Brian Garrett had classic COVID-19 symptoms: cough, fatigue, fever, nausea, vomiting, breathing difficulty and loss of taste. But he fell ill early in the pandemic鈥檚 U.S. spread, his wife, Rebecca, said, and the health clinic he visited said it was probably the flu.
By March 23, the otherwise vigorous, nearly 6-foot-5 father of four (ages three to 20) told Rebecca, 鈥淪omething鈥檚 just not right inside.鈥 He was admitted to the hospital that day. County health officials registered his as a COVID-19 death.
Garrett, who transported senior residents to medical appointments, became ill before the use of protective gear became widespread. 鈥淲e had that conversation that all these people would be so vulnerable,鈥 Rebecca said. 鈥淗e became ill so early on that no one was [wearing] masks.鈥
A spokesperson for his employer did not respond to requests for comment about whether Garrett was exposed to COVID-19 at work.
On Facebook, Garrett鈥檚 nephew, Brandon Guthrie, posted that Brian was a protective figure. 鈥淗e was our tall older brother,鈥 Guthrie wrote. Despite his imposing stature, it was his kindness that stood out. In an interview, Guthrie said, 鈥淗e genuinely cared about everybody.鈥
鈥 Sharon Jayson | Published June 12, 2020
From a Traumatic Childhood to a Life 鈥楤igger Than Himself鈥
(The Simpson family)
James Simpson
Age: 28 Occupation: Mental health technician Place of Work: Sunstone Youth Treatment Center in Burien, Washington Date of Death: April 10, 2020
James Simpson鈥檚 difficult childhood in the foster care system led him to a career at a youth mental health center 鈥 where he worked with kids who reminded him of himself. 鈥淗e had been through so much trauma and abandonment as a child,鈥 said Chezere Braley, his cousin. 鈥淎nd he did not become a product of his environment.鈥
James鈥 sister Kamaria Simpson described him as the life of the party. 鈥淗e was always smiling, even if he was having a bad day,鈥 she said.
James鈥檚 family believes he contracted COVID-19 during an outbreak at work, where eight of the center鈥檚 15 residents . Sunstone waited over a week before telling James he may have been exposed to the virus, Kamaria said. She said the center also delayed in providing employees with adequate protective gear and that when her brother became sick, he was told to come in anyway. On April 6, he was sent home with a fever; he died in his apartment four days later.
In a written statement, Sunstone鈥檚 parent company, Multicare, said the organization 鈥渢ook early and aggressive steps to prevent the spread of the virus鈥 at work, including 鈥渆arly access to PPE, sanitizer, training for staff and testing.鈥 It added that the company鈥檚 policy was always to direct staff to stay home when sick.
Braley and Kamaria said they鈥檙e grieving, but they鈥檙e also angry. 鈥淗e risked his life,鈥 said Braley. 鈥淗e deserved so much better.鈥
鈥 Holly DeMuth, City University of New York | Published June 12, 2020
A Physician Assistant Who Mentored Residents at His Hospital
(Alexander Beylinson)
Alex Bass
Age: 52 Occupation: Physician assistant Place of Work: NYC Health + Hospitals/Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York Date of Death: April 10, 2020
Alex Bass was technically a physician assistant, but his patients all called him "Dr. Bass," a title his boss said was well-deserved.
"His patients often sent us letters, thanking us for the services that he provided and saying how great he was," said Dr. Abdo Kabarriti, chief of urology at Coney Island Hospital.
Bass moved to the U.S. from Ukraine in his mid-20s. Rather than redoing medical school, he decided to become a PA. His extensive knowledge led him to mentor numerous urology residents.
"He helped a lot of people really become who they are today," Kabarriti said.
When Bass noticed a fever spike in mid-March, he stopped going to work and made an appointment with Dr. Alexander Beylinson, his primary physician and friend of 26 years.
He arrived at his office on March 20 looking "very sick," so Beylinson tested him for COVID-19 and sent him to the hospital.
A few days later, the test came back positive. At that point, it was too difficult for Bass to talk. Soon after, he was put on a ventilator, until he died.
The hospital did not comment on whether Bass had worked with COVID-19 patients.
Beylinson was one of the 10 people at Bass' funeral. He doesn't feel he achieved closure, he said, and still considers Bass his "hero."
鈥 Shoshana Dubnow | Published June 10, 2020
鈥楾here Were So Many Things She Had Unfinished鈥
(Brittany Mathis)
Dulce Garcia
Age: 29 Occupation: Clinical interpreter Place of Work: University of North Carolina Hospitals in Chapel Hill, North Carolina Date of Death: May 26, 2020
Dulce Garcia loved to dance. On weekends, she would escape with friends to the Luna Nightclub in Durham, where they would romp to bachata, merengue and reggaet贸n. 鈥淚t was our ritual,鈥 said Brittany Mathis, one of her close friends.
At dawn, those unable to safely drive would sleep over at Garcia鈥檚. 鈥淪he was the group mom,鈥 Mathis said. 鈥淪he鈥檇 tell us, 鈥榃e don鈥檛 want to lose anyone.鈥欌
Garcia was 鈥渢he rock and foundation鈥 for her family, Mathis said. As a teen, Garcia cared for siblings while her parents worked. She also volunteered at the neighborhood Boys & Girls Club.
When Garcia learned about the health care gaps faced by Spanish speakers, she joined the hospital. There, she was 鈥渟urprised at how much she could help,鈥 Mathis said, 鈥渁nd how many needed her.鈥
The week after she picked up a Sunday shift, she developed a fever. Mathis was not sure whether she received personal protective equipment (PPE). 鈥淥ur PPE policies have always followed CDC guidance,鈥 the hospital said through a spokesperson.
The symptoms 鈥渨ouldn鈥檛 go away,鈥 Mathis said. 鈥淚t just doesn鈥檛 feel real. There were so many things she had unfinished.鈥
鈥 Eli Cahan | Published June 10, 2020
A Friendly Nursing Assistant Who Worked Into Her 70s
Antonia 鈥楾ony鈥 Sisemore
Age: 72 Occupation: Certified nursing assistant Place of Work: Stollwood Convalescent Hospital at St. John鈥檚 Retirement Village in Woodland, California Date of Death: April 30, 2020
Antonia Sisemore always wore a smile 鈥 around her family, at church and at her job at a retirement home, where she worked through the coronavirus pandemic.
In a Facebook , her colleagues called her 鈥渙ne of our most talented and dedicated CNAs.鈥 She worked 鈥渢irelessly and unfailingly to deliver care, compassion, and love to those more vulnerable than herself,鈥 it said. (Her family declined to be interviewed for this article.)
Comments remarking on her kindness and work ethic poured in from patients and their families. 鈥淪he went the extra mile to [make] sure I had what I needed and was comfortable,鈥 wrote a former patient. 鈥淭ony was one of my mother鈥檚 caregivers,鈥 wrote another Facebook user. 鈥淪he was selfless 鈥 it breaks my heart that the residents will no longer have her.鈥 Some mentioned that Sisemore cheered people up with her sense of humor. 鈥淚 remembered you [danced] in front of me,鈥 another former patient wrote.
厂颈蝉别尘辞谤别鈥檚 says she battled COVID-19 for four weeks before passing away from complications from the virus. The nursing home where Sisemore worked and 17 deaths, according to county data. Over half of the infections were among staff members. The facility did not respond to requests for comment.
鈥 | Published June 10, 2020
A Nurse, Family Linchpin and Generous Aunt
(Mario Thompson)
Adlin Thompson
Age: 56 Occupations: Certified nursing assistant and endoscopy technician Places of Work: NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Isabella Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in New York City Date of Death: April 24, 2020
Adlin Thompson had 20 siblings and more than 30 nieces and nephews. Like her, many of them immigrated to New York City from St. Kitts and Nevis in the early 1980s. With such a large family, it was difficult to keep track of everyone, said Adlin鈥檚 son, Mario Thompson. But Adlin did 鈥 she was the glue who kept the family together.
Adlin worked long hours between her two jobs. When she wasn鈥檛 at the nursing home or the hospital, she visited family, and 鈥渘ever came home empty-handed,鈥 often toting gifts of socks or perfume, Mario said.
Adlin cared for patients who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 at both her jobs. She was always covered in protective gear, said Mario. Still, he worried that her asthma made her particularly vulnerable to the coronavirus. Mario believes she contracted the virus at the nursing home, where he said she had more direct contact with patients.
A spokesperson for the facility said it 鈥渇ollowed state guidelines as it relates to infection prevention and control procedures.鈥
Adlin died four days after testing positive for COVID-19. She was alone in her home, preparing to go to the hospital.
鈥 Lila Hassan | Published June 10, 2020
Housing Supervisor Committed Herself to Helping the Vulnerable
(Barbara Abernathy)
Michelle Abernathy
Age: 52 Occupation: Residential services supervisor Place of Work: Elisabeth Ludeman Developmental Center in Park Forest, Illinois Date of Death: April 13, 2020
Barbara Abernathy said she is trying to figure out what to do with six bins of toys her daughter bought for neighborhood children.
Growing up in Chatham, a middle-class neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago, Michelle Abernathy 鈥渨as always trying to help somebody,鈥 Barbara said.
Michelle spent decades investigating child abuse and neglect while holding night jobs mentoring children.
A supervisor at a state-run facility for developmentally disabled adults, she bought clothes, games and snacks for residents. A staff memo lauded her 鈥渂ig heart and nurturing personality.鈥
She fell ill March 28 and was hospitalized April 6, too weak to walk.
Three other workers at the facility died of COVID-19. A spokesperson for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which represents workers at Ludeman, said that early in the pandemic the staff had a 鈥渉uge struggle鈥 to get personal protective equipment (PPE).
The Illinois Department of Human Services said it 鈥渃an鈥檛 say precisely鈥 how workers caught the virus and was working to provide sufficient PPE.
After long professing that she was too busy for marriage, Abernathy recently had become engaged to a colleague. She had planned to surprise her mother with the news but never had the chance.
鈥 Mary Chris Jaklevic | Published June 5, 2020
A Loving Bookkeeper Who 鈥楬ad the Most Awesome Laugh鈥
(Sean Diaz)
Cassondra Grant Diaz
Age: 31 Occupation: Nursing home bookkeeper Place of Work: Chelsea Place Care Center in Hartford, Connecticut Date of Death: April 29, 2020
Cassondra Diaz was a receptionist-turned-bookkeeper at a nursing home in her hometown.
鈥淪he was my therapist, my fashion consultant, my hair designer,鈥 said her older sister, Takara Chenice. 鈥淚 called her my 鈥榖ig little sister.鈥欌
Loved ones described her as 鈥渁n old soul,鈥 loyal to her family, including her husband, Sean Diaz. In their free time, the couple would hit the highway for a long drive, venturing to parks, lakes and the beach.
Her family believes she contracted the coronavirus at work. A spokesperson for Chelsea Place confirmed that the nursing home had COVID cases among staff and patients. It said staffers were provided with personal protective equipment. Despite wearing protective gear, removing her work clothes at the door and showering after work, Cassondra developed symptoms in mid-April.
On April 29, she woke up having difficulty breathing and pain in her leg, said Sean, who called an ambulance. She died that day.
Sean keeps a photo of her in their car. 鈥淢y six years with her were better than any lifetime I had before her,鈥 he said.
鈥 Madeleine Kornfeld, City University of New York | Published June 5, 2020
A Doting Family Man, He Was a Long-Standing Fixture at His Hospital
(Susan Ferranti and family)
David Ferranti
Age: 60 Occupation: Hospital equipment coordinator Place of Work: St. Elizabeth鈥榮 Medical Center in Brighton, Massachusetts Date of Death: May 2, 2020
David Ferranti was committed to his two families 鈥 both at home and at work. In his job on the engineering unit, he was really part of every team in the hospital, wrote St. Elizabeth鈥檚 president, Harry Bane, in a note to employees. 鈥淗e was always worried about 鈥榟is nurses鈥 and 鈥榟is departments鈥 having what they needed to best care for our patients.鈥
Ferranti worked at the hospital for almost 42 years 鈥渁nd he loved every day of it,鈥 said his father, Savino Ferranti. St. Elizabeth鈥檚 was treating many COVID-19 patients when David became infected with the virus, his father said, but it was impossible to say where he caught it. St. Elizabeth鈥檚 had no further comment about his case.
Ferranti was a family man 鈥渁nd the greatest son you can imagine,鈥 his father said. He had a wife, Susan, and a son, John.
Ferranti worked in his garden and enjoyed walks in nature. A history buff, he was born in Wiesbaden, Germany. His father, a descendant of Italian immigrants, served in the military there, where he met David鈥檚 mother, Renate.
For his family, tragedy hit twice within weeks. David鈥檚 aunt Ann Ferranti died of the disease a few weeks before David. The advice David would have given to anyone, said his father, 鈥渋s to stay safe, whatever it takes.鈥
鈥 Katja Ridderbusch | Published June 5, 2020
A Nurse for Whom Family Was Everything 鈥 And Patients Were Like Family
(The Mazzarella family)
Kelly Mazzarella
Age: 43 Occupation: Clinical nurse manager Place of Work: Montefiore Mount Vernon Hospital in Mount Vernon, New York Date of Death: May 8, 2020
Even as a girl, Kelly Mazzarella had her sights set on helping others. She turned this innate altruism into a 16-year career at a community-based teaching hospital.
Karen Jedlicka was blown away by the care her big sister showed every patient. 鈥淧eople would be going through the worst things in their lives and she was just there for them,鈥 Jedlicka said.
Mazzarella showed that same compassion with her husband, Ronnie Mazzarella, and daughters, Hailey and Kristina. She never missed an opportunity to tell her daughters how proud they made her, Jedlicka said.
In July 2019, Mazzarella was diagnosed with lupus, an autoimmune disease that brought on painful bouts of swelling. She worked on and off through March, helping with the influx of COVID patients. She was diagnosed on April 2 and died five weeks later. Her employer did not respond to requests for comment.
Nicol Maursky, a lifelong friend, organized a for the family. A staggering outpouring has brought in close to $75,000.
鈥淪he just had such a love and a light that emanated from her,鈥 Jedlicka said. It鈥檚 鈥渧ery comforting to know everybody felt the same way that we did.鈥
鈥 Suzannah Cavanaugh, City University of New York | Published June 5, 2020
A Proud New Orleanian and Community Caretaker
(Talisa Pace)
Jana Prince
Age: 43 Occupation: Case manager Place of Work: Salvation Army in New Orleans, Louisiana Date of Death: April 6, 2020
A 鈥渘atural New Orleanian,鈥 Jana Prince was bubbly and loving, her brother Paul Prince said.
Since high school, Jana knew she wanted to be a social worker. She grew up with cerebral palsy, wearing a leg brace and diligently practicing physical therapy so she could walk. Kids bullied her about her disability, but nothing would stop Jana from connecting with her community.
鈥淪he was trying to share her strength with other people, because she just didn鈥檛 want to see people suffer,鈥 cousin Talisa Pace said. 鈥淪he really wanted to help the Black community.鈥
One day in mid-March, Jana had trouble breathing, Paul said. She was hospitalized for more than a week before she was intubated, and died the next day. The family said they did not know whether she was infected at work, especially given how early she became infected; the Salvation Army declined to comment.
Her mother, Barbara Prince, died of the virus three days later.
The duo lived together and got on like Laverne and Shirley. They often took care of Paul鈥檚 twin 6-year-old boys. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know how one would have survived without the other,鈥 Paul said.
Jana and Pace had dreamed of opening a coffee shop and counseling center. 鈥淪he would have been the highlight of the whole place,鈥 Pace said.
鈥 Theresa Gaffney, City University of New York | Published June 5, 2020
鈥楽he Always Listened and Never Judged鈥
(Tiana Mohabir)
Tina Reeves
Age: 58 Occupation: Licensed practical nurse Place of Work: Pickaway Correctional Institution in Orient, Ohio Date of Death: April 27, 2020
When Tina Reeves visited her grandchildren, music would blast from the car. Wale鈥檚 鈥淥n Chill鈥 rang out: 鈥淭rying to hear all your problems, so I can lighten the load.鈥
鈥淪he loved her music,鈥 said daughter Tiana Mohabir, 鈥渆ven though she had no rhythm for squat.鈥
Reeves had an ear for the rhythm in other people鈥檚 lives, though. Younger co-workers called her 鈥淢other Advice,鈥 Mohabir said. In interactions with prisoners and officers alike 鈥渟he always listened,鈥 Mohabir said, 鈥渁nd never judged.鈥
She called her three daughters daily, 鈥渃hecking in on all of us.鈥
When Reeves started coughing in early April, Pickaway Correctional had already聽 more than 1,500 cases of COVID-19.
鈥淧PE [personal protective equipment] was, and continues to be, available to staff,鈥 a prison spokesperson said. The family said their mother did not have access to adequate PPE.
By April 13, Reeves was hospitalized with COVID-19. She called her daughter to ask her to take care of paying her utility, insurance and cable bills. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 think twice,鈥 Mohabir said, 鈥渂ecause I didn鈥檛 want them shut off when she got home.鈥
Within 24 hours, Reeves was intubated. On the bedside table, her phone kept ringing.
鈥 Eli Cahan | Published June 5, 2020
An 鈥業con,鈥 Hospital Secretary 鈥楤rightened Every Situation鈥
(Glenna Swann)
Joan Swann
Age: 70 Occupation: Intensive care unit secretary Place of Work: Kent Hospital in Warwick, Rhode Island Date of Death: April 29, 2020
When things were slow at the hospital, Joan Swann would head down to the gift shop.
If someone was having a hard day 鈥 the security guard, the patient transporter, the barista 鈥 she might buy them a candle. Or charm bracelet. Or a Vera Bradley handbag.
鈥淪he brightened every situation,鈥 said Glenna Swann, her daughter. A former nurse, Joan coached trainees from behind the administrative desk. They called her an 鈥渋con鈥 who was the reason many stayed working in the intensive care unit.
When Joan was admitted to the hospital, those she had long cared for returned the favor. Her isolation room was adorned with blue hearts, and following her intubation, the nurses would FaceTime the family in. During quiet hours, they sat at her bedside.
The hospital did not respond to requests for comment.
After Joan died, the family found 鈥渢housands upon thousands鈥 of unused greeting cards, sorted by occasion (weddings or Christmas) and emotion (sympathy or humor).
In the coming weeks, Joan鈥檚 cherished grandson, Adam, will complete high school. Glenna is still choosing from among Joan鈥檚 graduation cards for him.
鈥 Eli Cahan | Published June 5, 2020
In a Family Who Lost Both Mother and Son, Food Was Love
(Lloyd Torres)
Louis Torres
Age: 47 Occupation: Food service director Place of Work: Queens Boulevard Extended Care Facility in Woodside, New York Date of Death: April 8, 2020
Louis Torres went into the family business. He grew up adoring his mother鈥檚 Philippine home cooking, so it was natural to channel his passion for food into comforting others. As a food service director at a nursing home in his native Queens, he could cook and work in health care as his mother did.
Feeling terrible on March 30, Louis called his older brother, Lloyd, after work. 鈥淗e was struggling to make it from the subway station,鈥 Lloyd said.
Louis lived with his mother, Lolita, 73, a retired hospital clerk. She also had severe COVID-19 symptoms.
By the next day, mother and son had been taken by ambulance to separate hospitals. In the chaos, Lloyd said, it took an entire day of panicked calls to find their mother, who was still in the emergency room.
A few days later, Lloyd was able to pray the rosary with Lolita over the phone, and it seemed to calm her. Before they hung up, she asked that Lloyd take care of his brother. Louis made the same request about his mother before going on a ventilator.
鈥淭heir last words to me [were to] take care of each other, my God,鈥 Lloyd said, his voice cracking.
On April 7, Lolita died. Louis died the next day.
In the weeks since then, Lloyd was comforted by a powerful dream.
鈥淚 woke up and smelled the frying of food,鈥 he said, invoking his mother鈥檚 cooking. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 how she showed her love.鈥
鈥 Kathleen Horan | Published June 5, 2020
Theater Brought Them Together, Then Life Imitated Art
(Harriet Clark Webber)
Barry Webber
Age: 67 Occupation: General surgeon Place of Work: Mount Sinai Queens in New York City Date of Death: April 18, 2020
Barry Webber wanted to understand how things worked. That curiosity and drive motivated him to reconstruct an old Jeep, build a computer, take up rock climbing and, of course, become a surgeon.
He pursued medicine when he realized he wasn鈥檛 going to become a concert pianist, said his wife, Harriet Clark Webber.
They met when Harriet was a dancer with the American Ballet Theatre and Barry moonlit as a supernumerary 鈥 a non-dancing extra on stage 鈥 for the company. 鈥淗e just wanted to be around the theater,鈥 she said.
Barry honed his surgery skills in a Brooklyn emergency room in the 1980s. 鈥淚t was a rough time to be in an ER in Brooklyn,鈥 Harriet said. 鈥淗e was treating a lot of gunshot wounds and trauma.鈥
They married in 1996 and had two sons, now 22 and 20.
Like so many Americans, when COVID-19 struck, the couple watched 鈥淐ontagion,鈥 a 2011 film about a pandemic. Barry said it gave him a bad feeling.
On March 27, his fears were realized. He texted his wife: 鈥淚鈥檓 sick.鈥
Harriet believes he contracted the virus at work before the hospital ordered the universal use of protective gear.
鈥 | Published June 5, 2020
Brooklyn Radiologist Was 鈥楰ind, Simple, Loving and Devoted鈥
David Wolin and his daughter, Helena Cawley (Helena Cawley)
David Wolin
Age: 74 Occupation: Radiologist Place of Work: The Brooklyn Hospital Center in New York City Date of Death: March 30, 2020
By 10 a.m. on Sundays, David Wolin and his wife, Susan, would have completed one-quarter of the New York Times crossword.
When the grandchildren arrived, Wolin greeted them with bagels, lox, whitefish 鈥渁nd the best scrambled eggs in the entire world,鈥 said Helena Cawley, his daughter.
Wolin was 鈥渒ind, simple, loving and devoted.鈥 A radiologist specializing in mammography, he was 鈥渃ommitted to learning everything he could,鈥 Cawley said. 鈥淭he latest medical journal was always on his nightstand.鈥
He and Susan would skip off to their home upstate on Wolf Lake, where they might take out a rowboat, a bottle of chardonnay and a brick of Roquefort cheese under the stars. 鈥淎ll they needed was each other,鈥 Cawley said.
In late March, Wolin complained of 鈥渂ad colds鈥 but deferred testing. Brooklyn Hospital was overwhelmed with COVID-19. A hospital spokesperson could not be reached for comment.
On March 30, when Cawley couldn鈥檛 reach her father, she called the doorman of his building. He reluctantly shared the news: Wolin had died overnight.
Susan was hospitalized that day and died weeks later. 鈥淲e鈥檙e grateful in a way,鈥 Cawley said, 鈥渂ecause we don鈥檛 know how they could have lived without each other.鈥
鈥 Eli Cahan | Published June 5, 2020
鈥榃orking There Was the Proudest Accomplishment of His Life鈥
(Maria Joy Agtarap)
Romeo Agtarap
Age: 63 Occupation: Emergency room nurse Place of Work: NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City Date of Death: April 24, 2020
Joy and Romeo Agtarap met in Queens in the 1980s, when they were both young nurses, newly arrived from the Philippines. Joy Agtarap said her husband was a jokester who had a vibrant personality that often made him the life of the party. At gatherings, he liked to get people onto the dance floor.
鈥淗e鈥檚 a very good dancer 鈥 sometimes he made the line dances too hard and people would get lost!鈥 she remembered.
He was also a dedicated emergency room nurse. Agtarap had spent 20 years at what his wife said was his 鈥渄ream job鈥 at the NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
鈥淲orking there was the proudest accomplishment of his life,鈥 she said. He was still seeing patients when the pandemic hit. (The hospital did not respond to requests to comment on whether he had adequate personal protective equipment).
Romeo was diagnosed with COVID-19 in late March. Joy, who had left nursing due to an injury, became sick a week later. They were both hospitalized 鈥 he at NewYork-Presbyterian and she at a facility on Long Island. As Joy recovered, she anxiously awaited updates on her husband鈥檚 condition.
鈥淚t was the most devastating thing that鈥檚 ever happened to me. I was going crazy in there waiting for calls about him,鈥 she said. He died on April 24. 鈥淚 believe he took the worst of the virus for me, that鈥檚 why I鈥檓 still here,鈥 she said.
鈥 | Published June 2, 2020
As Nurse and Minister, She Tended to Her Patients, Flock 鈥 and Garden
(Elijah Ailende)
Felicia Ailende
Age: 67 Occupation: Registered nurse Place of Work: Bria of Forest Edge in Chicago Date of Death: April 20, 2020
Felicia Ailende was a beacon of unity to her family and members of Maranatha Chapel in Evergreen Park, Illinois, where she was a minister. She counseled many, helping keep marriages intact and lives on track, her son Elijah Ailende said. Though her six children were very different from one another, she saw the best in each.
An immigrant from Nigeria, she planted a garden each year and used the produce to cook West African dishes. When there were too many cucumbers, hot peppers or greens, she shared with neighbors.
At Bria of Forest Edge, a nursing home, Felicia cooked for residents at times or prayed for them, Elijah said.
Administrator Julie Kosman said in a statement that Ailende was a hardworking nurse who was pleasant and funny and had a great rapport with residents.
She is one of three workers at the facility who have died of COVID-19; two residents also died. The facility reported 132 infections.
Elijah said staffers had to reuse surgical masks provided by the facility. Administrators did not tell them when residents and other staff members got the virus 鈥渟o they could take precautions and safeguard their lives,鈥 he said.
Kosman鈥檚 statement says 鈥渇ull PPE鈥 鈥 personal protective equipment 鈥 was available to staffers and there is no reason to believe Ailende was exposed to COVID-19 鈥渨ithin our facility.鈥 She 鈥渉ad no known contact with any resident or staff member who showed symptoms or had tested positive for COVID-19.鈥
鈥 Christina Jewett, Kaiser Health News | Published June 2, 2020
He Practiced What He Preached, Caring for Inmates With Mental Illness
(Gwendolyn Davis)
Bishop Bruce Edward Davis
Age: 57 Occupation: Shift leader for forensic service technicians Place of Work: Central State Hospital in Milledgeville, Georgia Date of Death: April 11, 2020
In sermons at his Pentecostal church, Bishop Bruce Davis preached love. On weekdays, he practiced it by feeding, bathing and caring for patients at a maximum-security psychiatric hospital. Davis worked for 27 years at the state facility, said his wife, Gwendolyn Davis.
As a boy, Davis would break his pencils in half to share with his twin sister. At church, he hosted youth parades and gave away computers, bicycles and groceries. He distilled the Bible into simple lessons, she said, once winning over a parishioner with a sermon based on 鈥淭he Wizard of Oz.鈥
When COVID-19 emerged, Davis and his co-workers at the psychiatric facility were told they couldn鈥檛 wear masks or gloves because it wasn鈥檛 part of their uniform, she said. Five days after a close co-worker tested positive for COVID-19, Davis was hospitalized, she said.
More than 70 workers at the hospital have tested positive for COVID-19, ; Davis is one of two who have died. A hospital spokesperson declined to comment on Davis鈥 case.
After Davis鈥 illness, his entire household 鈥 Gwendolyn, three children and a grandchild 鈥 got sick with COVID-19, Gwendolyn said. Their adult son, who has autism, was hospitalized, Gwendolyn said. Their daughter, 22, recovered and returned to work at the same hospital.
"It is extremely hard for her to go back to work there,鈥 Gwendolyn said.
鈥 Melissa Bailey | Published June 2, 2020
Dedicated Dad and Technologist 鈥榃as as Smart as They Come鈥
(Junette Francis)
Devin Francis
Age: 44 Occupation: Radiologic technologist Place of Work: Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami Date of Death: April 8, 2020
Devin Francis was due to get married June 27 to his longtime love, Micela Scott, mother of their 11-year-old daughter, Dekayla.
Scott said her fianc茅 was a devoted father.
鈥淗e鈥檇 take [Dekayla] to school every morning. He鈥檇 help her with her homework,鈥 she said. 鈥淗e just wanted peace to his life and us to have a good life.鈥
鈥淗e had a very jovial spirit,鈥 said his youngest sister, Junette Francis.
Devin took a COVID test at Jackson Memorial after his shift on April 6 鈥 it came back positive. His breathing became labored and he died at home early on April 8.
His family and a hospital representative said it was unclear whether he came into contact with patients with COVID-19. Devin also worked in fleet services for American Airlines.
Colleagues admired his work ethic.
鈥淣o matter where we were in life, he never had less than two jobs,鈥 said Milton Gonzalez, a hospital co-worker. 鈥淗e was as smart as they come.鈥
鈥 Sharon Jayson | Published June 2, 2020
A Pediatric Neurosurgeon Who Separated Conjoined Twins
(Judy Goodrich)
James Goodrich
Age: 73 Occupation: Pediatric neurosurgeon Place of Work: Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, New York City Date of Death: March 30, 2020
James Goodrich was a renowned pediatric neurosurgeon, best known for separating conjoined twins 鈥 a rare and risky procedure. Over the course of his career, he was directly involved in about 10 cases, advising on dozens more.
A late bloomer academically, Goodrich began his undergraduate studies at age 24, after returning from Vietnam, where he served in the Marines.
鈥淗e had seen a neurosurgeon when he was in Vietnam, and he just was fascinated at what they were able to do,鈥 said Judy Goodrich, his wife of 50 years. 鈥淚 thought, just try to become a doctor first.鈥
He was also known for innovations regarding conditions affecting the skull. He helped develop standards for treating craniosynostosis, in which the bones of a child鈥檚 skull fuse too soon, preventing the brain from growing properly.
Goodrich was an avid collector 鈥 of antique medical books, pre-Columbian medical artifacts, rare watches and fine wines, among other things. He surfed, cultivated bonsai trees and played the didgeridoo.
He had seen patients in the clinic in early March, just before flying to Mexico for a family vacation. He soon began to feel ill, and when he returned to New York, he was diagnosed with COVID-19. He was hospitalized on March 25 and died five days later.
鈥 | Published June 2, 2020
She Brought 鈥楥alming Presence鈥 and Fun to Nursing Home
(Howard Fox Jr.)
Leola Grady
Age: 59 Occupation: Recreational aide Place of Work: Bria of Forest Edge in Chicago Date of Death: April 10, 2020
Leola Grady had planned to be with her son and granddaughter in Mississippi for Mother鈥檚 Day but did not live to make the trip.
At the Bria of Forest Edge nursing home, she entertained residents, including with a 鈥済ood game of cards,鈥 administrator Julie Kosman said. 鈥淪he had a calming presence about her.鈥
When Grady fell ill, a nurse at the facility was already sick with the coronavirus. A nursing aide whose name has not been released also died of COVID-19. Staff at the facility, with SEIU union leaders, saying they were unaware their co-workers were dying until they saw it on the news.
Howard Fox Jr., Grady鈥檚 son, said his mother was his best friend. An honest, straightforward and loving person, she enjoyed listening to the blues. 鈥淚鈥檓 not going to sit here and sugarcoat it,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t hurts. 鈥 I look at our picture. I cry.鈥
Fox said his mother went to a Chicago hospital with COVID symptoms but was sent home. She was found dead several days later. A Cook County spokesperson confirmed she died of pneumonia due to COVID-19.
Kosman said the facility does not believe Grady or the nurse, Felicia Ailende, 鈥渨ere exposed to COVID-19 within our facility. They had no known contact with any resident or staff member who showed symptoms or had tested positive for COVID-19.鈥
As of May 27, Bria of Forest Edge has reported 132 coronavirus cases and two deaths to Illinois officials. In the statement, Kosman said it reported worker deaths to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which shows three pending death investigations at the facility.
鈥 Christina Jewett, Kaiser Health News | Published June 2, 2020
Young Nurse Lived a Life of 鈥楴o Regrets鈥
(The Guzman family)
Krist Angielen Castro Guzman
Age: 35 Occupation: Licensed practical nurse Place of Work: Meadowbrook Manor in Bolingbrook, Illinois Date of Death: May 2, 2020
Krist Guzman packed a lot into her short life. She worked full time while studying to become a registered nurse. She had three children, one a newborn.
Smart, funny and outgoing, she nurtured relationships.
鈥淗ers was a life of no regrets,鈥 said a cousin, Jeschelyn Pilar.
In a Navy family that moved often, she was close with her brother, Anjo Castro.
鈥淪he was my role model,鈥 said Castro, who also pursued a medical career as an independent duty corpsman in the Navy.
The pandemic hit home when their uncle, pediatric surgeon Dr. Leandro Resurreccion III, died March 31.
Guzman told family she had seen COVID patients. Worried she didn鈥檛 have adequate protective gear, she scrambled to find some online.
Meadowbrook has registered the worst COVID outbreak in Illinois, with more than three dozen deaths. Nursing home spokesperson Marissa Kaplan said in a statement: 鈥淢eadowbrook puts the safety and welfare of its residents and staff at the forefront of everything we do.鈥 She did not address whether there was sufficient protective gear.
鈥 Mary Chris Jaklevic | Published June 2, 2020
Selfless Nephrologist Fought for Her Life While Treating Others
(The Khanna family)
Priya Khanna
Age: 43 Occupation: Nephrologist Place of Work: Khanna Nephrology in Glen Ridge, New Jersey Date of Death: April 13, 2020
Priya Khanna came from a family of doctors, and she knew the risks of contracting the deadly coronavirus. She was immunocompromised and actively seeing patients days before she became ill with COVID-19.
On April 1, Priya was hospitalized in the same facility where her father, Satyender Dev Khanna, had been brought days earlier. He was also being treated for COVID-19.
From her hospital bed, Priya checked in on friends, reviewed patient files and communicated with the physician who was seeing patients in her stead. She continued to do so until she was put on the ventilator.
鈥淪he literally worked for others until she could no longer breathe for herself. That was Priya,鈥 said childhood friend Justin Vandergaag. 鈥淎lways putting others first with a smile.鈥
鈥淪he was a devoted daughter, sister and aunt,鈥 said childhood friend Laura Stanfill. 鈥淗er healing gifts extended not only to her patients but in the many ways she made everyone in her life feel important and loved.鈥
鈥 Natalia Megas | Published June 2, 2020
鈥楬e鈥檚 One of Our Legends鈥
(Stephanie Mahoney)
James 鈥楥harlie鈥 Mahoney
Age: 62 Occupation: Pulmonologist Place of Work: SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York City Date of Death: April 27, 2020
James 鈥淐harlie鈥 Mahoney eschewed hospital hierarchies.
鈥淗e didn鈥檛 treat people like underlings,鈥 said his sister, Saundra Chisholm. 鈥淗e would talk to housekeeping like he would talk to the chief of the hospital. That鈥檚 why he was so well respected.鈥
Growing up on Long Island, Mahoney was an ace student and athlete. He was one of only a handful of Black students at his medical school and throughout his training. He and his brother, Melvin Mahoney, worked side by side at SUNY Downstate for many years, a public hospital that treats a mostly minority and low-income patient population.
When the pandemic hit New York in March, Mahoney, who specialized in respiratory care, 鈥渞an into the fire,鈥 Melvin said. But his hospital, like other underfunded public institutions in the city, was short of protective equipment and staff.
Mahoney started experiencing symptoms in early April, and was hospitalized soon after. He died on April 27.
鈥淗e鈥檚 one of our legends 鈥 he鈥檚 one of our giants,鈥 said Julien Cavanaugh, a neurology fellow at SUNY Downstate who trained under Mahoney.
鈥 | Published June 2, 2020
Psychiatric Nurse Knew Her Patients' Hometowns and Hobbies
(Eddie Ballard)
Shenetta White-Ballard
Age: 44 Occupation: Licensed practical nurse Place of Work: Legacy Nursing and Rehabilitation of Port Allen, Louisiana Date of Death: May 1, 2020
Eddie Ballard was baking 鈥淧ecan Delight鈥 pie at the Piccadilly Cafeteria in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, when Shenetta White, accompanying her auntie and grandmother, leaned over the buffet counter to grab a Jell-O.
鈥淪he gave me this look,鈥 Ballard said, and he gathered the confidence to ask for her number. On their first date he quickly realized 鈥渘ot only was she beautiful, but she was mature beyond her years.鈥
That maturity manifested across her life.
As a nurse to psychiatric patients, she was adored by those she 鈥渟aw as people more than just patients,鈥 Ballard said. She knew their parents鈥 names, their hometowns and hobbies. At home, White-Ballard was 鈥渜ueen of the house,鈥 Ballard said. She handled the errands and the finances, while 鈥渉er two boys [Ballard and his son, Warren] hung on whatever she asked.鈥
With a preexisting condition, White-Ballard depended on supplemental oxygen. She died May 1, just three days after developing COVID-19 symptoms.
In an email, a Legacy spokesperson wrote that the facility had followed all guidelines and 鈥渉ad more than enough PPE.鈥
The first piece of jewelry Ballard bought his wife was a bracelet that read: 鈥淟ove is patient, love is kind, love never ends.鈥
鈥淚 hadn鈥檛 read that in 11 years,鈥 he said, 鈥渂ut boy, it鈥檚 still true.鈥
鈥 Eli Cahan | Published June 2, 2020
From His ICU Bed, Nurse Planned to Help Fight COVID After Recovery
Christopher Dean with his wife, Natalya Kubaevskaya (Photo by Donna Dean/Natalya Kubaevskaya)
Christopher Dean
Age: 37 Occupation: Licensed practical nurse Place of Work: Northport VA Medical Center鈥檚 Valley Stream Clinic in Valley Stream, New York Date of Death: April 15, 2020
When Christopher Dean went to the emergency room, he was 鈥渁bsolutely positive鈥 he would be in the hospital a few days, get some fluids and oxygen and then go home.
鈥淗e was always optimistic, full of life,鈥 said Natalya Kubaevskaya, his wife of 10 years. 鈥淎nd he had a big heart.鈥
When tests came back positive for COVID-19, he planned to recover and then help fight the disease by donating blood and plasma. Three weeks later, he was dead.
He had mild asthma, his wife said, but was a healthy man who loved snowboarding, swimming and racquetball.
His father, Alvin Dean, shared on a GoFundMe page that Christopher Dean caught the coronavirus at work. Northport said by email that it provided 鈥淧PE in accordance with CDC guidelines.鈥
Kubaevskaya, who recently finished treatment for breast cancer, said Dean pushed her to keep going.
Daughter Donna, 15, struggles with her adoptive father鈥檚 death. 鈥淭here are moments,鈥 Kubaevskaya said, 鈥渨hen she tries to convince herself that he鈥檚 still in the hospital and will come home soon.鈥
鈥 Katja Ridderbusch | Published May 29, 2020
A Robotic Surgery Expert Who 鈥楯ust Made Everything Fun鈥
(The Lopez family)
Maria Lopez
Age: 63 Occupation: Registered nurse Place of Work: University of Illinois Hospital in Chicago Date of Death: May 4, 2020
鈥淲hat lady? I don鈥檛 see a lady here.鈥
That was the sort of self-deprecating comment Maria Lopez would fire back when teased by a co-worker about an etiquette faux pas in the operating room.
Lopez knew how to break the tension, said chief nurse anesthetist Mary Ann Zervakis Brent, a colleague since 2005. Lopez called everyone 鈥渁migo鈥 or 鈥渁miga,鈥 regardless of rank.
鈥淪he just made everything fun,鈥 Zervakis Brent said.
Lopez was an expert in robotic surgery and trained others to use the equipment.
She taught her two daughters to be independent. The oldest of nine kids, Lopez fought her father鈥檚 expectation that she forgo college, said her daughter Maria, who was named for her.
Lopez鈥檚 symptoms appeared days after she returned to work from leave for knee surgery. She planned to retire April 30.
In the hospital, Lopez tried to stay positive. Yet during one FaceTime call, daughter Maria said, 鈥渟he just broke down. She said, 鈥業 wouldn鈥檛 want anyone I love going through what I鈥檓 going through right now.鈥欌
A hospital official confirmed in a statement that Lopez died of complications of COVID-19.
鈥 Mary Chris Jaklevic | Published May 29, 2020
With Retirement in Sight, She Died Awaiting COVID Test Results
(Hannilette Huelgas)
Hazel Mijares
Age: 66 Occupation: Licensed practical nurse Place of Work: Amsterdam Nursing Home in New York City Date of Death: March 30, 2020
Faith was central to Hazel Mijares鈥 life. She was a lay leader at Trinity United Methodist Church in Jersey City, New Jersey.
She was drawn to church as a child in the Philippines, sister Hannilette Huelgas said. Theirs was a big family with nine children. At get-togethers, Mijares always led the prayers.
After a long career, Mijares was finally ready to retire in late March.
She worked through March 13, burned up accrued paid time off, then stopped back a week later for her last day. As she said her goodbyes, she noticed a little cough.
Learning that one of her patients had died of COVID-19, Mijares tried several times to get tested. Her results were expected March 30. When Huelgas called that day, Mijares didn鈥檛 answer. She had died waiting for the results, which the family learned were positive.
As of May 24, the nursing home had recorded 45 presumed-COVID deaths. Officials there did not respond to requests for comment, but a phone recording updated May 21 said they had 鈥渃ompleted COVID-19 testing of residents鈥 and had 鈥渂egun testing of all staff.鈥
鈥淥ur dedicated and caring staff are continuing the Amsterdam tradition of providing exceptional care,鈥 the recording noted.
Mijares 鈥渉ad wanted to go to Jerusalem, to the Philippines,鈥 Huelgas said. 鈥淎nd she didn鈥檛 even get to enjoy retirement.鈥
鈥 Maureen O鈥橦agan | Published May 29, 2020
You Could Count on Him 鈥榝or Anything鈥
(Griselda Bubb-Johnson)
Adiel Montgomery
Age: 39 Occupation: Security guard Place of Work: Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York Date of Death: April 5, 2020
When Griselda Bubb-Johnson couldn鈥檛 reach her friend Marva 鈥 hospitalized with COVID-19 鈥 Bubb-Johnson called her son, Adiel Montgomery.
Montgomery, a security guard in the hospital鈥檚 emergency department, found Marva in the ICU. He then did 鈥渆verything for her,鈥 Bubb-Johnson said. When Marva was cold, he got a blanket. When she was hungry, he got food. When her phone died, he found a charger.
鈥淪ome people boast about their children, but I didn鈥檛 have to,鈥 Bubb-Johnson said, 鈥渂ecause everybody knew you could count on Adiel for anything.鈥
Montgomery doted on residents as a part-time supervisor at the Urban Resource Institute, a domestic violence shelter. He invited his godbrothers for Golden State Warriors games, Thanksgiving and sometimes for his mom鈥檚 renowned oxtail dish.
Two weeks after Montgomery noted he couldn鈥檛 taste his lunch, he experienced acute chest pain. When, after 12 hours in the ER, his heart stopped 鈥渘obody could believe it,鈥 Bubb-Johnson said.
Montgomery was vocal about a lack of personal protective equipment for hospital security guards, . The hospital did not respond to requests for comment.
Montgomery鈥檚 14-year-old daughter, Aaliyah, never got to say goodbye. She wrote a poem to put in the coffin.
鈥淒on鈥檛 worry,鈥 Bubb-Johnson told her. 鈥淗e鈥檒l read it. I promise.鈥
鈥 Eli Cahan | Published May 29, 2020
Traveling Nurse 鈥榃anted to Be Somebody鈥
(Daniel Perea)
David Joel Perea
Age: 35 Occupation: Traveling registered nurse Place of Work: Lakeside Health & Wellness Suites in Reno, Nevada, via MAS Medical Staffing Date of Death: April 19, 2020
David Joel Perea would call in from Maine, Vermont, Minnesota and, ultimately, Nevada, with the same request: 鈥淢om, can you send tamales?鈥 Dominga Perea would ship them overnight. This is how she always knew where her son was.
A traveling nurse routinely pulling 80-hour weeks, David 鈥渉ad a tremendous work ethic,鈥 said his brother, Daniel. A young David, returning from his father鈥檚 mechanic shop, said, 鈥淚 don鈥檛 want to spend life sweating under a car,鈥 Dominga recalled. 鈥淚 want to be somebody.鈥
Dominga was proud of him, 鈥渇or doing God鈥檚 work.鈥
When 鈥渕ijito鈥 didn鈥檛 respond to her text April 6, Dominga knew something was wrong: 鈥淚 could always tell how David was. If he said 鈥楬i, Mama,鈥 he was happy. If he said 鈥業鈥檓 fine, Mom,鈥 he was tired.鈥
This time he said neither. 鈥淒on鈥檛 panic, Mama,鈥 David wrote, 鈥渏ust pray for me. I have the COVID.鈥
His workplace did not respond to requests for comment.
David FaceTimed with his mother on Easter Sunday. 鈥淗e was starving, but he struggled even eating mashed potatoes,鈥 Dominga said, 鈥渂ecause he couldn鈥檛 breathe.鈥 The next morning, he was on a ventilator and never woke up.
鈥 Eli Cahan | Published May 29, 2020
His Church Became His Second Home
(Lean Carlo Romualdo)
Ritchie Villena
Age: 44 Occupation: Physical therapist Place of Work: SportsMed Physical Therapy clinic in Glen Rock, New Jersey, placed by AHVIA Staffing Solutions in Jersey City Date of Death: April 15, 2020
When Ritchie Villena emigrated from the Philippines in 2011 after studying physical therapy, he struggled. Then he got in touch with Lean Carlo Romualdo, a fellow Filipino physical therapist in New York state. Villena moved in with him and secured a good job at a sports medicine clinic.
He became devoted to his church, Iglesia Ni Cristo, where he spent hours singing with the choir and practicing the organ. 鈥淗e鈥檚 not an outgoing person,鈥 Romualdo said. 鈥淏ut if you ask people in his religious group here in Rockland County, everyone will know him.鈥
Romualdo鈥檚 7-year-old still plays the 鈥淏aby Shark鈥 song Villena taught him on the piano, asking, 鈥淚s Uncle Ritchie coming back home?鈥
It鈥檚 unclear how Villena contracted the coronavirus. According to the staffing agency, he worked until March 13 and took ill the following week. On March 26, he called 911 with difficulty breathing; he was hospitalized until his death.
Villena, who only recently gained permanent residency status, hadn鈥檛 seen his family in nine years. 鈥淓very time his mom calls me, she wants to see Ritchie鈥檚 stuff,鈥 Romualdo said. As he gives a video tour of Villena鈥檚 room, she can鈥檛 stop crying. He promised to pack everything and send it home.
鈥 Maureen O鈥橦agan | Published May 29, 2020
Nurse With 'Heartwarming' Smile Did Her Best for Her Children
(Anderson Family)
Jenniffer Anderson-Davis
Age: 44 Occupation: Licensed practical nurse Place of Work: Meramec Bluffs聽Life Plan Community in Ballwin, Missouri Date of Death: April 14, 2020
As a single mother, Jenniffer Anderson-Davis was determined to give her three children everything they needed, so she pursued her nursing degree while delivering pizza to make ends meet.
鈥淪he always did the best that she could to give them the best life,鈥 her brother Earl Anderson said.
Most recently, Anderson-Davis worked as an admission and discharge nurse at a senior living community. Her mother, Edna Anderson, said that Anderson-Davis was concerned about residents who returned to the facility after visiting Florida (it has since banned reentry for residents who spent time away).
Anderson-Davis tested positive for COVID-19 on April 9 and died at home five days later. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration opened a fatality investigation at Meramec Bluffs on April 16.
Lutheran Senior Services, the nonprofit that operates Meramec Bluffs, acknowledged Anderson-Davis鈥 death but did not respond to specific questions about her case. In a statement, a spokesperson said: 鈥淛enniffer鈥檚 coworkers remember her as a thorough and well-respected nurse who had a smile that could warm any heart.鈥
鈥 Cara Anthony, Kaiser Health News | Published May 26, 2020
A Tireless Nurse, She Loved Her Children and Travel
(Stefaney Cicala)
Susan Cicala
Age: 60 Occupation: Registered nurse Places of Work: Northern State Prison in Newark, New Jersey; Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, New Jersey Date of Death: April 4, 2020
Susan Cicala worked long hours. A typical workday began at the hospital surgery department at 5:30 a.m. She鈥檇 work there until 2 p.m., and an hour later would start her next eight-hour shift at a nearby state prison. She worked weekends, too.
As for sleep? 鈥淪he must have slept somewhere, but I don鈥檛 know,鈥 her son, Steven Cicala, said with a laugh. 鈥淪he was the hardest worker I ever met.鈥
Reminiscing on Facebook, colleagues said she talked about her two children constantly. She started wrapping Christmas presents in May. She loved to travel, to Disney World and national parks, and saw vacations as opportunities to learn about the world beyond New Jersey 鈥 on a trip to Hawaii, she delved into the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Cicala became sick in late March and died in early April; her family said they presume she contracted the virus at one of her jobs.
鈥淪he didn鈥檛 go anywhere else,鈥 Steven said.
As of May 21, the New Jersey Department of Corrections had tallied 152 COVID-19 cases at the prison where Cicala worked; 134 of those diagnoses were among staffers. In early May, the union representing Cicala and other workers filed a safety complaint saying precautions have been inadequate and may have led to Cicala鈥檚 death. A spokesperson for the prison health care agency that employed Cicala said that it had followed all state and federal guidelines, and that the staff was provided with personal protective equipment.
鈥 Maureen O鈥橦agan | Published May 26, 2020
The Single Mother Dreamed of Opening a Nursing Home
(Rebecca Gbodi)
Helen Gbodi
Age: 54 Occupation: Registered nurse Place of Work: MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. Date of Death: April 19, 2020
Helen Gbodi was known for helping elderly neighbors and fellow churchgoers 鈥 picking up their medications and groceries and accompanying them on walks. She even dispatched her daughter, Rebecca Gbodi, to shovel snow in neighbors鈥 driveways.
鈥淓ven when she didn鈥檛 have a lot, she would always give,鈥 Rebecca said of her mother, who worked long hours to put her children through college and helped pay school fees for other relatives. This year, she embarked on her own dream: crafting plans to open her own nursing home, her daughter said.
Gbodi understood the severity of COVID-19 early on. In March, she called every person in her contacts list, including people she hadn鈥檛 talked to in years, to make sure they were aware and taking precautions, her daughter said. Though she did not actively care for patients who had been diagnosed with COVID-19, such patients were being treated on her floor, her daughter said.
Days later, she was fighting for her life. By the time she was hospitalized with COVID-19, she was too weak to lift her arm for a virtual handshake with her daughter on FaceTime.
鈥淎t the end of the day, she was willing to put her life in danger for others,鈥 Rebecca said.
鈥 | Published May 26, 2020
Always Upbeat, Patient Transporter Was a Sewing Wiz
(The Ismayl family)
Gabrail 'Gabe' Ismayl
Age: 62 Occupation: Patient transport worker Place of Work: Swedish Hospital in Chicago Date of Death: May 6, 2020
Caring, upbeat, always first to arrive at a party. Gabrail Ismayl loved an excuse to don a suit and splash on cologne.
That鈥檚 how Fidelline Youhanna remembers her uncle. 鈥淓verybody loved Gaby,鈥 she said.
After migrating from Syria in the 1980s, Ismayl ran wholesale clothing shops on Chicago鈥檚 North Side. He was a wiz with the sewing machine and enjoyed altering dresses, making curtains and doing creative projects for family and friends.
Later, his people skills were an asset as he wheeled patients where they needed to go.
As the pandemic took hold, Ismayl worked despite health conditions that elevated his risk, Youhanna said.
鈥淚 think he just liked his job,鈥 she said. 鈥淗e made a lot of friends there.鈥
On May 6, Ismayl was self-isolating in the basement of the house he shared with two sisters. He was short of breath, Youhanna said. By evening, he was dead.
Ismayl was employed by management services company Sodexo. The CEO of its health care division in North America, Catherine Tabaka, said in a statement that his passing 鈥渋s a tragic loss for Sodexo and we mourn an incredible friend and presence."
鈥 Mary Chris Jaklevic | Published May 26, 2020
Charismatic Surgical Technician Taught His Kids to Be 鈥楩aithful to Your Job鈥
(The Martinez family)
Juan Martinez
Age: 60 Occupation: Surgical technician Place of Work: University of Illinois Hospital in Chicago Date of Death: April 27, 2020
It was easy to befriend Juan Martinez.
The surgical technician 鈥渃ould start a conversation up with anyone about anything,鈥 said Jose Moreno, an operating room nurse and co-worker.
He went out of his way to teach others what he learned from 34 years in the field, said his son, Juan Martinez Jr., who followed his dad鈥檚 career path at the same hospital.
The military veteran and former church pastor set an example 鈥渢o be faithful to your job,鈥 his son said.
Due to retire April 30, Martinez anticipated spending time with his grandchildren, traveling and opening Bible education centers in Mexico, his family said.
After feeling tired and feverish, he went to be tested for COVID-19 on April 17. His symptoms were so severe that he was taken by ambulance to the hospital where he worked.
Family members said Martinez did not engage in direct patient care but came in contact with staffers who did.
Juan Jr. said that losing his dad has been like a nightmare, and that he and his siblings are 鈥渓eaning on the Lord and praying a lot, just like how our father taught us.鈥
鈥 Mary Chris Jaklevic | Published May 26, 2020
Memory Care Nurse Set Fear Aside
(Jessica Forbes)
Nina Forbes
Age: 56 Occupation: Licensed practical nurse Place of Work: Silverado memory care facility in Alexandria, Virginia Date of Death: April 25, 2020
Nina Forbes refused to let fear stop her from living.
She was terrified of flying. But a few years ago, Forbes got on a plane for the first time to watch her younger daughter, Jennifer, play volleyball.
COVID-19 also scared Forbes, and as a nurse at an assisted living facility, she knew the virus posed a serious risk. Still, she continued showing up to work.
Forbes tested COVID-positive just after Easter. Chills, body aches and a fever kept her from attending family dinner that Sunday. By the following weekend, she struggled to breathe and couldn鈥檛 walk on her own. An ambulance took her to the hospital.
Her older daughter, Jessica, said her mother didn鈥檛 have the necessary protection at work. Forbes sometimes wore trash bags to protect herself, she said.
In a statement, a representative for the facility said it met the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for personal protective equipment. Employees sometimes used trash bags as an added layer of protection, worn over a disposable gown, according to the representative.
Forbes appeared to do what she wanted even in her final moments. Jennifer was able to visit her mother in the hospital, and Forbes died shortly after she left, Jessica said. 鈥淚t was like she waited for her to leave.鈥
鈥 Carmen Heredia Rodriguez, Kaiser Health News | Published May 19, 2020
A Family Man Who Loved Disney, Took Risks to Help Others
(AMR Southwest Mississippi)
David Martin
Age: 52 Occupation: Paramedic Place of Work: AMR Southwest Mississippi, covering Amite and Wilkinson counties Date of Death: April 22, 2020
On March 22, David Martin changed his Facebook profile picture. Around his smiling face, the frame read, 鈥淚 can鈥檛 stay home 鈥 I鈥檓 a healthcare worker.鈥
Outside of work, he was a dedicated family man with two children, known for his love of Disney.
Martin, who covered 1,420 square miles across two rural counties, had cared for people with suspected COVID-19 in the weeks leading up to his death, said Tim Houghton, chief of operations for AMR Southwest Mississippi.
鈥淲e do what we do knowing the risks,鈥 Houghton said. But Martin鈥檚 death was 鈥渁 hard hit.鈥
On March 23, at the end of a shift, Martin told a supervisor he had mild flu symptoms. A month later, he died at a hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
AMR paramedics had N95 masks and protective gear and followed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, Houghton said. 鈥淲e have not yet had a shortage.鈥
In Facebook posts honoring Martin, colleagues described his excitement before trips to Disney World. In his memory, his fiancee, Jeanne Boudreaux, shared a photo of a hot air balloon ride at Disney Springs.
鈥 Michaela Gibson Morris | Published May 19, 2020
For a 9/11 First Responder, 鈥楽itting on the Sidelines Was Never in His DNA鈥
(Erin Esposito)
Matthew 'Matty' Moore
Age: 52 Occupation: Radiologic technologist Place of Work: Northwell Health鈥檚 GoHealth Urgent Care in Eltingville, Staten Island, New York City Date of Death: April 17, 2020
Matthew Moore 鈥渨ould give the shirt off his back to help others,鈥 said his sister, Erin Esposito.
A former firefighter and Staten Island native, 鈥淢atty鈥 Moore volunteered as a first responder for weeks after 9/11, 鈥渆ven when everyone else stopped going,鈥 Esposito said.
Moore was known as 鈥渁 gentle giant鈥 in Prince鈥檚 Bay, his brother-in-law Adam Esposito said. He was a devoted churchgoer and a beloved member of 鈥淭he Beach Boys Firehouse" (as Engine 161/81 was nicknamed).
He even came through as Santa Claus, delivering gifts on Christmas morning to the children of two firefighters who died on 9/11.
Moore became an X-ray technologist, cherishing the ability to help those seeking urgent care. When COVID-19 emerged, he continued showing up to work. 鈥淪itting on the sidelines was never in his DNA,鈥 Erin Esposito said.
At the time, the family was reassured that he was receiving the personal protective equipment he needed. Despite his precautions, when Matty contracted COVID-19, it tore through his lungs, which had been damaged at ground zero.
As Matty lay dying, Esposito sought to reassure her brother. 鈥淵ou鈥檝e done enough for us,鈥 she told him, over the phone. Moments later, Matty鈥檚 heart stopped beating.
鈥 Eli Cahan | Published May 19, 2020
鈥楪entle Soul鈥 Had a Brilliant Mind and a Big Heart
Neftali 鈥淣eff鈥 Rios
Age: 37 Occupation: Registered nurse Place of Work: St. Francis Hospital鈥檚 intensive care unit in Memphis, Tennessee Date of Death: April 26, 2020
Hospital colleagues loved working with Neftali 鈥淣eff鈥 Rios. He was humble, kind and capable, a 鈥済entle soul鈥 who always strived to learn something new. Not just smart 鈥 鈥淚鈥檓 talking extremely intelligent,鈥 his brother Josue Rios said. And he simply loved people. Nursing was a perfect fit.
Neff worked at a small hospital in Clarksdale, Mississippi, then earned his master鈥檚 in business administration with an emphasis on health care, and moved to St. Francis, hoping to enter management.
In mid-April, he came down with fever, body aches and a terrible cough and tested positive for the coronavirus. Several family members got sick, too. His parents were hospitalized.
On April 26, Neff collapsed at home, unable to catch his breath. His wife, Kristina, called 911, started CPR and waited for the EMTs. When they arrived, he had already died.
The family believes he was exposed at work. A spokesperson for the hospital declined to comment, citing family privacy.
鈥淣eff was never scared鈥 of catching the virus at work, Rios said. 鈥淵ou take an oath to take care of people, no matter what.鈥
鈥 Maureen O鈥橦agan | Published May 19, 2020
His Warmth and Generosity Brought Diverse Clients to His Pharmacy
(The Titi family)
Saif Titi
Age: 72 Occupation: Pharmacist Place of Work: Noble Pharmacy in Jersey City, New Jersey Date of Death: April 7, 2020
When the pandemic hit, Saif Titi was working six days a week at his Jersey City pharmacy and had no interest in slowing down. As was his way, he wanted to be helpful.
鈥淗e didn鈥檛 really run it as a business,鈥 said Titi鈥檚 son, Justin. 鈥淗e wasn鈥檛 trying to make profit. He was really just trying to help people.鈥
Titi was born in Jaffa in the last days of British rule in Palestine and grew up a refugee in the Gaza Strip. After studying in Egypt, Austria and Spain, he immigrated to New Jersey in 1972 and bought Noble Pharmacy a decade later.
The pharmacy became a fixture in the community, known as a place immigrants could go for help and advice, often in their native language. If they couldn鈥檛 afford medication, Titi would give it to them for free. 鈥淎ll different types of people from different cultures would come and they would instantly fall in love with him,鈥 Justin said.
Active in the local Arab American community, Titi gave to charity and sent money home regularly. A Facebook included dozens of stories of his generosity and mentorship. 鈥淲e all lost the sweetest and the most noble man on earth,鈥 wrote one relative.
Titi, a father of three adult children, developed symptoms of COVID-19 in late March. He died in the hospital on April 7. His wife, Rachelle, also became infected and has taken some six weeks to recover. In quarantine, the family has been unable to grieve together.
鈥 | Published May 19, 2020
Social Worker Was a 鈥楤ig Voice鈥 in His Community
(Donna Welch)
Gerald Welch
Age: 56 Occupation: Social worker and behavioral specialist Place of Work: Opportunity Behavioral Health in Reading, Pennsylvania Date of Death: April 15, 2020
Donna Welch had sworn she would 鈥渘ever, ever, ever get married again.鈥 Then Gerald appeared.
They met on MySpace, and she quickly realized that 鈥渙ur spirits connected.鈥 On their first date, at Donna鈥檚 house in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Gerald proposed 鈥 and Donna said yes. 鈥淚t was like he came down on a bolt of lightning from heaven,鈥 she said.
Gerald鈥檚 fiery passion and courage to speak out served him as a boardroom advocate for underperforming students in the school district, and at the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, where he resurrected a scholarship now named in his honor.
鈥淗e had a big voice,鈥 Donna said, 鈥渁nd he was not afraid to use it.鈥 His 鈥淔amilies, Organizations and Communities United in Service鈥 podcast combined Gerald鈥檚 lived experience overcoming drugs and his spirituality to support others struggling with addiction.
So even as the state鈥檚 COVID cases mounted, Gerald was a dutiful companion for his clients with severe autism 鈥 he took them to the supermarket in Lancaster and the laundromat in Lebanon. 鈥淲herever they needed to go, he went,鈥 Donna said. 鈥淗e cared so much for them, and they loved him dearly.鈥
鈥淲e all did,鈥 she added.
鈥 Eli Cahan | Published May 19, 2020
Hardworking Immigrant Realized His Dream to Practice Medicine in US
Jesus Manuel Zambrano and his son, Jesus Manuel Jr. (The Zambrano family)
Jesus Manuel Zambrano
Age: 54 Occupation: Pediatrician Place of Work: Private practice in Freeport, New York; attending physician at Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital Date of Death: March 30, 2020
Jesus Manuel Zambrano studied medicine in the Dominican Republic and immigrated to New York in the 1990s.
He hustled, working in fast food and as a school bus driver between studies, his wife, Sandra, said. He completed his residency in 2010.
In the meantime, they had two children: Jesus Manuel Jr., 22, and Angelyne Ofelia, 18. Jesus Manuel Jr., who uses a wheelchair, never veered far from his father during family outings to restaurants and parks, and Holy Week vacations.
Zambrano鈥檚 bond with his son informed his care for his patients. 鈥淭here was not a single day we met and talked when we didn鈥檛 talk about his son,鈥 said Dr. Magda Mendez, a former colleague.
Zambrano spent days in private practice, Sandra said, and in the evenings treated others at the hospital, which saw COVID cases.
In early March, he felt ill. He took the next day off 鈥 a rare occurrence, Sandra said. He was taken to the hospital where he worked, where he died after a week and a half of care.
In becoming a physician in the United States, Zambrano had realized his lifelong dream. He wished the same for his family.
鈥淗e had a lot of plans for his children, a lot of dreams,鈥 Sandra said. 鈥淗e took them with him.鈥
鈥 Carmen Heredia Rodriguez, Kaiser Health News | Published May 15, 2020
Quick-Witted and Quick to Serve, Firefighter 鈥楢lways Had Your Back鈥
(The Zerman family)
Robert Zerman
Age: 49 Occupation: Volunteer firefighter Place of Work: Pioneer Hose Company No. 1 in Robesonia, Pennsylvania Date of Death: April 16, 2020
Anyone who met Robert Zerman would see two things: He was devoted to firefighting and emergency medical services, and he had a quick sense of humor.
鈥淗e probably went on tens of thousands of calls,鈥 said Anthony Tucci, CEO of the Western Berks Ambulance Association. Tucci, who knew Zerman for over three decades, added, 鈥淗e always had your back, always knew his stuff.鈥
Most recently, Zerman was a volunteer assistant fire chief. He responded to an emergency in March in which the patient had COVID-19 symptoms.
鈥淭hat was before there was really any guidance to wear PPE,鈥 Tucci said.
Soon Zerman got sick, leading the family to suspect that he鈥檇 contracted the coronavirus on that call, Tucci said. Zerman tested positive and was hospitalized. He seemed to be improving before taking a bad turn.
Berks County, in eastern Pennsylvania, is among the state鈥檚 hardest hit, by mid-May.
Representatives from two dozen first responder agencies lined the streets for Zerman鈥檚 funeral procession.
鈥 Maureen O鈥橦agan | Published May 19, 2020
Lighthearted Nurse 鈥楲it Up the Room鈥
(Alisa Bowens)
Linda Bonaventura
Age: 45 Occupation: Licensed practical nurse Place of Work: Wildwood Healthcare Center in Indianapolis Date of Death: April 13, 2020
Even on bad days, Linda Bonaventura鈥檚 lighthearted sense of humor made people feel better, her sister Alisa Bowens said.
Bonaventura dedicated her career to children with special needs and seniors. She did her best to keep her spirits up while working 16-hour days.
鈥淲e like to say she was laughter,鈥 Bowens said. 鈥淪he lit up the room.鈥
In a statement, Ethan Peak, executive director of Wildwood, called Bonaventura a dedicated nurse who 鈥渨ould do anything for her residents and co-workers.鈥
As the list of patients and employees with COVID-19 grew longer at Wildwood, Bonaventura refused to live in fear, Bowens said.
Bowens recalled the day her sister confessed she was spraying herself with Lysol to kill the germs on her clothes. She did the same for a co-worker. A Wildwood spokesperson said the nursing home had sufficient personal protective equipment for employees.
The sisters, in one of their last conversations, told each other they would be at peace if death came during the pandemic. A short time later, Bonaventura tested positive for COVID-19. Just a week after coming down with a sore throat and fever, she died.
鈥淪he believed in fate,鈥 Bowens said. 鈥淲e shared that belief. But it was still a shock.鈥
鈥 Cara Anthony, Kaiser Health News | Published May 15, 2020
Nurse鈥檚 Death Ripples Through the Heart of an Extended Community
(Courtney Christian)
Sheila Faye Christian
Age: 66 Occupation: Registered nurse Place of Work: Care Pavilion Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Philadelphia Date of Death: April 19, 2020
So many people are mourning the death of Sheila Christian, her daughter to comfort them all.
Christian was a longtime friend of Tina Knowles-Lawson 鈥 the mother of Beyonc茅 鈥 who posted about the loss .
But Christian was also a superstar at the center where she worked for 26 years and among those who knew her. She was the kind of person who brought lunch to a new co-worker and hosted a baby shower for someone without close family, according to her daughter and a memorial board.
At the outset of the COVID crisis, Christian was not given personal protective equipment, her daughter, Courtney Christian, 30. She said her mother received a mask only in late March. A lawyer for the center acknowledged Christian鈥檚 death and said federal guidelines were followed but didn鈥檛 respond to specific questions about protective gear.
Christian was diagnosed April 2. She endured more than a week of fever, chills and coughing, but seemed to be on the mend. She had been cleared to return to work when she collapsed at home. An outpouring of grief followed, her daughter said.
鈥淪he just helped and cared for so many people,鈥 she said. 鈥淧eople I had never met.鈥
鈥 JoNel Aleccia, Kaiser Health News | Published May 15, 2020
At Work, Church and Home, Army Veteran Gave It His All
(Shlonda Clark)
Roy Chester Coleman
Age: 64 Occupation: Emergency medical technician Place of Work: Overton Brooks VA Medical Center in Shreveport, Louisiana Date of Death: April 6, 2020
Shlonda Clark calls her father her 鈥渇avorite superhero.鈥
It was one of Roy Coleman鈥檚 many roles. For the past 11 years, the Army veteran and EMT worked as a housekeeper at the VA hospital in his hometown. He was a church deacon, Sunday school teacher and usher. He also volunteered with special-needs adults.
Roy had a big family, with three children, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
鈥淗e was funny, he was kind, he was giving,鈥 said Mabel Coleman, his wife of 40 years.
鈥淚f he didn鈥檛 like you, something was wrong with you,鈥 added Clark.
Coleman fell ill March 23. After three trips to the emergency room, he was admitted March 27, with a fever and labored breathing.
鈥淚t was the last time I saw him,鈥 Mabel said.
He tested positive for COVID-19 and died at the hospital where he had worked.
His family said he was concerned about the lack of personal protective equipment. The VA medical center said by email it 鈥渉as and continues to use PPE in accordance with CDC guidelines.鈥
鈥 Katja Ridderbusch | Published May 15, 2020
Beloved Doctor Made House Calls, Treated Patients Like Family
(The Giuliano family)
Michael Giuliano
Age: 64 Occupation: Family practice physician Place of Work: Mountainside Medical Group in Nutley, New Jersey Date of Death: April 18, 2020
For 39 years, Michael Giuliano practiced old-fashioned family medicine.
He made house calls. He visited his patients in the hospital rather than asking another physician to check in on them. He saw generations of the same family.
鈥淪ome patients would show up here at the house,鈥欌 said Giuliano鈥檚 wife, Marylu, a nurse and the office manager of his solo practice. 鈥淧atients would call and he鈥檇 say, 鈥楥ome on over, I鈥檒l check you out.鈥 He always went above and beyond.鈥
A father of five and a grandfather of four, Giuliano was jovial, with a quirky sense of humor and love of Peanuts characters, especially Charlie Brown. He liked to tell patients, 鈥淚鈥檒l fix you up.鈥
鈥淗e treated all of his patients like family,鈥 said Nutley Mayor Joseph Scarpelli.
When COVID-19 hit the U.S., Giuliano ordered N95 masks, his family said, but suppliers were out and sent surgical masks instead. Giuliano wore two at a time.
The week of March 16, Giuliano saw four patients with respiratory symptoms who later tested positive for COVID-19. About two weeks later, he tested positive.
Giuliano continued to see patients from home using telemedicine until he was hospitalized. He died 11 days later.
鈥 Michelle Crouch | Published May 15, 2020
He Tried to Reassure His Family Until the End
(Sheryl Pabatao)
Alfredo Pabatao
Age: 68 Occupation: Orderly Place of Work: Hackensack Meridian Health Palisades Medical Center in North Bergen, New Jersey Date of Death: March 26, 2020
After 44 years of marriage, Alfredo Pabatao still bought his wife, Susana, flowers.
鈥淭hey were that type of couple that you rarely see nowadays,鈥 their youngest daughter, Sheryl Pabatao, 30, said. 鈥淭hey set such a high standard for us, their kids 鈥 that may be the reason why I鈥檓 still single.鈥 She said her father was a patient man who could fix just about anything.
The Pabataos came from Quezon City, just outside Manila, in the Philippines. Alfredo worked at a car dealership, and Sheryl said she and her siblings grew up comfortably.
But the couple wanted more for their five children, and immigrated to the United States in October 2011. 鈥淭he first year that we were here, was really, really tough,鈥 Sheryl remembered. Her oldest two siblings, already adults by the time the Pabataos鈥 immigration application cleared, had to stay behind.
Alfredo found a job as an orderly at a hospital in New Jersey, where he worked for nearly two decades. In mid-March, he told his family he had transported a patient with signs of COVID-19; he fell ill days later. In a statement, his employer wrote: "We have policies and procedures in place to protect our team members and patients that are all in accordance with CDC guidelines."
Sheryl said the family鈥檚 last conversation with her father was via FaceTime, with him on his hospital bed. Connected to oxygen, he insisted he wasn鈥檛 gravely ill. He made jokes and even demonstrated yoga poses to reassure his wife and children. He died soon after.
鈥 | Published May 15, 2020
A 鈥楽elfless鈥 Mother Who 鈥楢lways Had the Right Words鈥
(Sheryl Pabatao)
Susana Pabatao
Age: 64 Occupation: Assistant nurse Place of Work: Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus, New Jersey Date of Death: March 30, 2020
Susana Pabatao became a nurse in her late 40s, after her family immigrated to the United States.
It eased some of her longing for her own mother, whom she had left behind in the Philippines, her daughter, Sheryl Pabatao said. 鈥淚t helped her to know that she was helping other people 鈥 something that she couldn鈥檛 do for my grandmother,鈥 Sheryl said. Susana treated her older patients as if they were her own parents, she added.
Susana was warm, selfless and a constant source of comfort. Sheryl said, 鈥淢y mom always had the right words.鈥
Susana鈥檚 husband, Alfredo Pabatao, began showing symptoms of COVID-19 in mid-March, and Susana became ill soon after. Sheryl, who described the two as 鈥渋nseparable,鈥 said: 鈥淲hen my dad got sick, it鈥檚 like part of her was not there anymore.鈥
Alfredo was hospitalized, and Susana spent her last days at home resting and speaking with him on FaceTime. Sheryl, who lived with her parents, said she overheard the two console each other one morning. 鈥淢y mom was telling my dad, 鈥榃e鈥檝e gone through so many things, we鈥檙e going to get through this.鈥
Alfredo died on March 26. Susana died four days later.
鈥 | Published May 15, 2020
Air Force Doctor Had Served in the White House
(The Medical Center of Annandale)
Steven Perez
Age: 68 Occupation: Internal medicine physician Place of Work: Medical Center of Annandale in Annandale, Virginia Date of Death: May 7, 2020
When George H.W. Bush announced his 1988 run for the presidency, Steven Perez was one of the doctors who gave him a clean bill of health.
An 鈥淎ir Force brat鈥 who was born in the United Kingdom, Perez served as a flight surgeon and medical director in the Air Force Medical Service Corps before practicing as a physician in the White House from 1986 to 1990, according to a statement from his family.
鈥淚t was the honor of his life,鈥 his son, Benjamin Perez, said.
Perez went into private practice in San Antonio in the early 鈥90s before opening his own clinic in Northern Virginia. He also taught at the University of Virginia.
According to his family, he made a promise to God and 鈥渘ever refused medical aid to the poor who came to his office, even accepting yams as payment on occasion.鈥
Perez鈥檚 family describes him as a proud grandfather to his three grandchildren (with two more on the way); he loved the University of Southern California Trojan football, the Dallas Cowboys and the Nationals.
鈥淗e could make anyone laugh, knew just what to say, and showed profound love for his friends and family,鈥 his family wrote in an obituary. 鈥淓very person he met felt like they were the reason he was there.鈥
鈥 | Published May 15, 2020
She Jumped at Chance to Lend Her Nursing Skills to Her Beloved New York
(The Sell family)
Rosemary Sell
Age: 80 Occupation: Pediatric nurse practitioner Place of Work: New York City public schools Date of Death: April 17, 2020
Rosemary Sell was a New Yorker through and through. Born in Washington Heights in northern Manhattan, she went to nursing school in Greenwich Village and raised her five boys on the Lower East Side.
In the 1960s, she traveled to Berlin, where she worked as a nurse for the British army and met her future husband, Peter. A lifelong love of travel was born. Gregarious and high-energy by nature, she loved meeting new people. 鈥淲herever she鈥檇 go, she鈥檇 make a new friend,鈥 said her son, also named Peter.
In later years, Sell spent much of her time in Florida. But she jumped at opportunities to lend her nursing skills to her home city and see her grandchildren and friends.
In February, she was contacted by a firm that places nurses on temporary assignments. Her children were concerned about the encroaching pandemic, especially given her age. 鈥淏ut they need a nurse,鈥 she responded. She traveled to New York to fill in as a nurse at several schools citywide just as the pandemic took hold. The firm, Comprehensive Resources, did not respond to questions on protections for its contractors.
Sell began developing symptoms in mid-March, just before the citywide school closure went into effect. She returned home to Florida, where she died from pneumonia caused by COVID-19.
Before Rosemary died, she had been hatching her next adventure with a friend: to travel to India. She wanted to see the Taj Mahal.
鈥 | Published May 15, 2020
A Hands-On Pharmacist Who Made the Big City Feel Smaller
(Zair Yasin)
Ali Yasin
Age: 67 Occupation: Pharmacist Place of Work: New York City Pharmacy in East Village, Manhattan Date of Death: May 4, 2020
Ali Yasin was a small-town druggist in a big city filled with impersonal, chain-store pharmacies. He found a way to operate a robust business and still be on a first-name basis with his customers. Over the years, he became their medical consultant, insurance whisperer and friend.
Jen Masser said she stumbled into Yasin鈥檚 pharmacy the first time, covered from hands to elbows in hives. 鈥淪omething is happening, see someone right away,鈥 Yasin advised. 鈥淭his could be a serious disease.鈥 He turned out to be right, encouraging her to keep seeing doctors until she finally got the proper autoimmune diagnosis.
Born in Pakistan, Yasin moved to the United States in 1979 and worked in various pharmacies before opening his own in 2001. He ran it with the help of his four sons.
In March, after serving customers in hard-hit Manhattan in his typical hands-on manner, Yasin contracted a cough and tested positive for COVID-19. By month鈥檚 end, he was in the hospital on a ventilator. He died May 4.
The storefront window of the Yasin family pharmacy is pasted with condolence cards. Son Zair Yasin said the outpouring has been immense: 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 realize until he was gone how many people he touched.鈥
鈥 Kathleen Horan | Published May 15, 2020
Nurse Wouldn鈥檛 Abandon Her Patients or Let Family Worry
(The Isaacs family)
Marsha Bantle
Age: 65 Occupation: Registered nurse Place of Work: Signature Healthcare in Newburgh, Indiana Date of Death: May 1, 2020
Marsha Bantle鈥檚 family begged her to quit after a resident in the nursing home where she worked was diagnosed with COVID-19.
But Bantle wouldn鈥檛 leave. 鈥淢y patients can鈥檛 leave their rooms, they can鈥檛 see their families. They really need me right now,鈥欌 she told her cousin Carol Isaacs.
Bantle tried to reassure relatives she would limit her exposure, but, on April 17, her temperature spiked. Bantle, who lived alone, holed up at home. She finally called her family when it was clear she needed to be hospitalized.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 Marsha for you,鈥 her cousin John Isaacs said. 鈥淪he didn鈥檛 want us to worry.鈥
Even while hospitalized, Bantle was selfless, said Shay Gould, the ICU nurse who cared for her. She offered to turn off her medication pump to save the nurse a trip. She asked for other patients鈥 names to pray for them.
After about a week, Bantle had a stroke, likely brought on by the COVID-19 infection. Within days, she died.
Since April, the nursing home has had 52 positive cases and 13 COVID-19 deaths, including Bantle鈥檚. In a statement, Signature Healthcare said: 鈥淭he loss of any of our residents or staff, for any reason, is devastating.鈥
鈥 Michelle Crouch | Published May 12, 2020
Pharmacist, Feeling Sick, Didn't Want to Let Patients Down
(The Boynes family)
Sean Boynes
Age: 46 Occupation: Pharmacist Place of Work: AbsoluteCare Medical Center & Pharmacy in Greenbelt, Maryland Date of Death: April 2, 2020
When the coronavirus began circulating in the Washington metropolitan region, Sean Boynes went to work.
鈥淧atients need their medicine,鈥 he told his wife, Nicole.
The medical center where he worked bills itself as 鈥渁 medical home for the sickest of the sick鈥; many of its patients struggle with chronic illness and poverty. Boynes was the Greenbelt branch鈥檚 first pharmacist.
He was an 鈥渋ncredible, loving guy,鈥 said Dr. Gregory Foti, chief of innovative operations at AbsoluteCare.
Boynes was a proud Howard University alumnus and had three degrees 鈥 a bachelor鈥檚 of science in biology, a master鈥檚 in exercise physiology and a doctorate in pharmacy 鈥 from the institution.
In early March, Boynes and his wife began feeling sick. Boynes didn鈥檛 want to stop working but thought 鈥渢aking a sick day might be OK,鈥 Nicole said. He also took a break from being a jungle gym to his eight- and 11-year-old girls. Nicole called him 鈥淪uper Dad.鈥
Nicole got better, but Sean, who had asthma, saw his breathing deteriorate.
On March 25, Nicole dropped him at the hospital doors. The medical staff confirmed COVID-19. The family never saw him again.
Foti said AbsoluteCare follows CDC recommendations, such as providing staff with face masks, and declined to comment on where Boynes became infected. He said 鈥渋t was literally impossible to tell鈥 where Boynes had contracted the virus.
To honor him, AbsoluteCare is naming the Greenbelt pharmacy after Boynes.
鈥 Sarah Jane Tribble, Kaiser Health News | Published May 12, 2020
A Spry EMT, He Made 'the Ultimate Sacrifice'
(Toni Lorenc)
John Careccia
Age: 74 Occupation: Emergency medical technician and rescue squad chief Place of Work: Woodbridge Township Ambulance and Rescue Squad in Iselin, New Jersey Date of Death: April 17, 2020
"That鈥檚 not the way you throw a curveball!" John Careccia famously declared to his grandson at a family picnic, according to his daughter, Toni Lorenc. Careccia then threw the ball so wide that it broke a window in her shed.
"That鈥檚 how you throw the batter off," he said, brushing off the mishap.
"Typical Pop-Pop,鈥 Lorenc said. 鈥淗e had so much confidence in himself."
Careccia, who worked for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for 30 years, harnessed his self-confidence into a second career. Inspired by two EMTs who saved his son's life, he became a volunteer EMT in 1993. A consummate educator, he taught CPR, mentored young EMTs and gave catechism classes at his church, Lorenc said.
A spry 74, Careccia responded to 911 calls as chief of his rescue squad, a volunteer position. On a March 25 call, he evaluated a coronavirus patient, said Ed Barrett, squad president. Careccia died of COVID-19 several weeks later.
At his firehouse memorial service, Careccia was summoned over a loudspeaker for his "last call."
"Having heard no response from Chief Careccia, we know that John has made the ultimate sacrifice," said Steve Packer, a previous squad president. "His leadership, dedication, compassion and friendship will be greatly missed."
鈥 Melissa Bailey | Published May 12, 2020
Police Officer Turned Nurse Practitioner Was Pursuing a Doctorate
(Dennis Graiani)
Kevin Graiani
Age: 56 Occupation: Family nurse practitioner Place of Work: Rockland Medical Group in Garnerville, New York Date of Death: March 30, 2020
Kevin Graiani always wanted to work in health care, according to Dennis Graiani, one of his three sons. But his mother told him he needed a pension, so he became a cop.
Kevin, who grew up in the Bronx, served five years on the New York City Housing Authority police force, then 15 on a suburban police force in Spring Valley, New York. He was a "brilliant officer," said Lt. Jack Bosworth of Spring Valley.
Known for his dry sense of humor, Kevin often rattled off quotes from movies. He played bagpipes for the Rockland County Police Emerald Society, a law enforcement group. When he retired from police work, he began nursing school and became a nurse practitioner in 2018.
Kevin, who worked at a private practice, became sick on March 10 and was later diagnosed with COVID-19, Dennis said.
He loved learning and was set to finish classes this summer for his doctorate of nursing practice, said Lynne Weissman, his professor and program director at Dominican College.
He was an 鈥渆xtremely bright student鈥 with a 3.7 GPA, Weissman said.
She has nominated him for a posthumous degree.
鈥 Melissa Bailey | Published May 12, 2020
School Nurse 鈥榃as a Mother to Many鈥
(The Howard family)
Marilyn Howard
Age: 53 Occupation: School nurse Place of Work: Spring Creek Community School in Brooklyn, New York Date of Death: April 4, 2020
Marilyn Howard was known for her generosity and never missing a party. Born in Guyana, she came to the U.S. as a teenager. She helped raise her five brothers, putting her ambitions on hold. 鈥淪he was a mother to many,鈥 her brother Haslyn said.
In her mid-30s, she turned to her own career goals. She steadily racked up four nursing degrees and recently had begun studying to become a nurse practitioner.
Howard, who lived in Queens, New York, was a school nurse in Brooklyn, where she regularly treated children with chronic illnesses associated with poverty. The week before the pandemic shuttered schools, a fellow nurse had a fever and cough.
Days later, Howard developed the same symptoms. After initially improving, she took a sudden turn for the worse April 4. As her brother drove her to the hospital, her heart stopped. She was declared dead at the hospital.
In tribute, hundreds turned out on Zoom to mark Nine-Night 鈥 a days-long wake tradition in the Caribbean 鈥 where loved ones shared photos, sang songs and recounted Howard鈥檚 effect on their lives.
The pandemic has since ripped through Howard鈥檚 extended family, infecting at least a dozen relatives. (One cousin was hospitalized but was released and is recovering.) The family has evolved into a sprawling triage team, monitoring one another鈥檚 temperatures, delivering food, charting emergency contacts and nearby hospitals.
Howard鈥檚 brothers hope to start a foundation in her name to help aspiring nurses in the U.S. and West Indies. 鈥淭he best way to honor her spirit and her memory is to bring more nurses into this world,鈥 said her brother Rawle. 鈥淲e need more Marilyns around.鈥
鈥 | Published May 12, 2020
Post-Retirement, She Tirelessly Rejoined Workforce
(Bethany MacDonald)
Nancy MacDonald
Age: 74 Occupation: Receptionist Place of Work: Orchard View Manor, a nursing home and rehabilitation center in East Providence, Rhode Island Date of Death: April 25, 2020
Nancy MacDonald tried retiring, but couldn鈥檛 make it stick.
For 20 years, she was a middle school teaching assistant and cheerleading coach. At home, she loved painting rocks and watching 鈥淏lue Bloods鈥 and 鈥淎merican Idol.鈥 She was married with two adult children.
A lifelong Rhode Islander, Nancy was a people person, her daughter, Bethany MacDonald, said. 鈥淪he always wanted to help others.鈥
So, in 2017, it was natural that she鈥檇 go back to work, this time at a nursing home.
As COVID case count , MacDonald worried. Still, she kept coming in 鈥 washing and reusing her N95 respirator and having her temperature taken daily.
Tim Brown, an Orchard View spokesperson, said the facility has 鈥渆xtensive infection control,鈥 satisfying government guidelines. He would not say how often employees receive new N95s.
On April 13, MacDonald began coughing. By April 16, she was hospitalized. Her COVID test came back positive. She died 10 days later 鈥 almost a week after her last conversation with her daughter.
鈥淚 said, 鈥楳ama, we love you,鈥欌 Bethany said. 鈥淭he last words she said to me were, 鈥業 love you, too.鈥欌
鈥 Shefali Luthra, Kaiser Health News | Published May 12, 2020
Despite Danger, Semi-Retired Nurse Kept Caring for ER Patients
(The Miles family)
Sheena Miles
Age: 60 Occupation: Registered nurse Place of Work: Scott Regional Hospital in Morton, Mississippi Date of Death: May 1, 2020
At age 60, Sheena Miles was semi-retired. She usually worked every other weekend, but as COVID-19 emerged in Mississippi, she worked four weekends in a row from mid-March to mid-April.
鈥淚鈥檝e got a duty,鈥 she told her son, Tom Miles.
The economy where she lived is dominated by poultry plants, and the county has been a coronavirus hot spot. Sheena was diligent with protective gear, wearing her mask and doubling up on gloves, Tom said. She stayed home when she wasn鈥檛 working.
鈥淟osing Sheena has been a tragic loss, as she had been a part of our hospital for 25 years,鈥 said Heather Davis, a hospital administrator.
Sheena took ill on Easter Sunday. By Thursday, Tommy Miles, her husband of 43 years, drove her to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.
Two long weeks passed. The family was allowed to say goodbye in person, and on their way into her room, an ICU nurse told them that years ago Sheena had cared for his infant daughter. 鈥溾榊our mom saved her life,鈥欌 the nurse said.
鈥淭hat was a little comfort in the storm,鈥 Sheena鈥檚 son said.
鈥 Michaela Gibson Morris | Published May 12, 2020
A Nurse Who Was Living Her Dream of Working in the US
(Venus Donasco-Delfin)
Anjanette Miller
Age: 48 Occupation: Registered nurse Place of Work: Community First Medical Center and Kindred Chicago Lakeshore in Chicago, and Bridgeway Senior Living in Bensenville, Illinois Date of Death: April 14, 2020
As a child, Anjanette Miller dreamed of becoming a nurse in the U.S. She studied in her native Philippines and worked briefly in Saudi Arabia before fulfilling her wish in 2001.
Miller settled in Chicago and worked as a supervising nurse at three facilities. Her sister, Venus Donasco-Delfin, said Miller got along well with co-workers who shared her work ethic.
鈥淎t work, I think, she was strict, but beyond work, she鈥檚 a great friend,鈥 Donasco-Delfin said. One of five siblings, she was the 鈥減illar of the family鈥 and supported relatives back home.
鈥淚 studied psychology for two years,鈥 Donasco-Delfin said, 鈥渂ut she kept calling me [in the Philippines] and said, 鈥楴o, Venus. 鈥 You have to pursue nursing. You will make a difference.鈥欌 Donasco-Delfin, now in Canada, became a nurse.
Miller started feeling sick in mid-March and was diagnosed with COVID-19 in early April. She self-isolated, chronicling her illness on YouTube and Facebook. She was hospitalized April 5 and died nine days later.
Miller had hoped to retire to the Philippines and pursue her other passion, filmmaking. Last year she traveled back home to shoot scenes for a project. 鈥淭he movie she was making is about her life story,鈥 Donasco-Delfin said. 鈥淏ut it鈥檚 not finished yet.鈥
鈥 | Published May 12, 2020
He Took the Time to Put Patients at Ease
(Holy Name Medical Center)
Jesus Villaluz
Age: 75 Occupation: Patient transport worker Place of Work: Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, New Jersey Date of Death: April 3, 2020
After Jesus Villaluz died from COVID-19 complications, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP9rL4x-Lxo
target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">colleagues lined the hallway
at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, New Jersey, to say goodbye. They鈥檇 never done that for anyone else.
鈥淛esus knew many and meant a lot to all of us, so this gesture felt like the right thing to do,鈥 said hospital spokesperson Nicole Urena.
The hospital, and , have been hit hard by the pandemic. By May 8, Holy Name had treated more than 6,000 COVID patients, 181 of whom died.
Villaluz worked at Holy Name for 27 years. In a Facebook聽, the hospital memorialized Villaluz鈥檚 generosity: He once won a raffle and shared the winnings with colleagues, an anecdote New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy repeated at a . Family members declined requests for an interview.
Co-worker Hossien Dahdouli said Villaluz鈥檚 compassion for patients was exemplary. He never rushed anyone, took the time to chat with patients and was always concerned for their privacy and safety, Dahdouli said.
Years ago, after Dahdouli had a sad day caring for deteriorating ICU patients, he asked Villaluz why he always appeared so happy.
鈥淗e said, 鈥楳y worst day at work is better than someone鈥檚 best day as a patient.鈥欌
鈥 Anna Almendrala, Kaiser Health News | Published May 12, 2020
Family Vacations and Reggae Gave Rhythm to His Life
(Nina Batayola)
Don Ryan Batayola
Age: 40 Occupation: Occupational therapist Place of Work: South Mountain Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Vauxhall, New Jersey Date of Death: April 4, 2020
April 4 was the day Don and Nina Batayola had planned to leave for London on a 10-day European vacation. Instead, that was the day Don died of COVID-19.
The Springfield, New Jersey, couple loved to travel 鈥 on their own or with their children, Zoie, 10, and Zeth, 8. Disney World. Road trips to Canada. Every year for a week they would savor the beach on North Carolina鈥檚 Outer Banks.
Don鈥檚 love of reggae music prompted a trip to Jamaica to visit Bob Marley鈥檚 birthplace.
The Batayolas, both occupational therapists, moved to New Jersey from the Philippines 13 years ago to pursue their careers.
鈥淗e loved to help,鈥 Nina said. 鈥淗e had such the ability to make everybody smile or laugh.鈥
Don worked with at least one patient and a handful of colleagues who subsequently tested positive for COVID-19, and in late March, he developed symptoms. Nina came home from work for lunch on March 31 to find him struggling to breathe. She dialed 911.
He was hospitalized, then she also developed COVID symptoms. Self-isolating at home, Nina talked with Don once a day. She thought he seemed stronger but, on the fourth day, his heart suddenly stopped.
鈥 Michelle Andrews | Published May 8, 2020
Even on 鈥榯he Saddest Day 鈥 She Could Make You Laugh鈥
(Kim Bruner)
Brittany Bruner-Ringo
Age: 32 Occupation: Licensed vocational nurse Place of Work: Silverado Beverly Place in Los Angeles Date of Death: April 20, 2020
When it was Brittany Bruner-Ringo鈥檚 turn to pick the family vacation, it was always New Orleans. A city so full of life.
And that is how family described the 32-year-old who left the Oklahoma plains for the excitement of Southern California.
鈥淪he always made the best of things,鈥 her mother, Kim Bruner, said. 鈥淚t could be the saddest day, and she could make you laugh.鈥
Bruner-Ringo worked at a dementia care center. On March 19, she admitted a patient flown in from New York. She suspected he might have COVID-19, and she was nervous. For fear of frightening the patients, she hadn鈥檛 been allowed to wear a mask or gloves, she told her mom by phone that night.听(A spokesperson from her employer said, 鈥淲e have no issues in our environment using appropriate masking and gloves and have followed CDC guidelines throughout this pandemic. We have always had adequate PPE to protect our residents and associates.鈥)
The following day, the patient grew worse. Bruner-Ringo checked into a hotel to isolate from her roommate. She later tested positive for COVID-19, but when she developed symptoms did not complain 鈥 even to her mom: 鈥淪he would say, 鈥業鈥檓 fine. I鈥檓 going to beat this. Don鈥檛 worry about me.鈥欌
Bruner, a veteran nurse herself, called the hotel front desk for help getting an ambulance to her daughter. She had just hung up with her daughter, who insisted she was fine, while struggling to breathe.
鈥 Samantha Young, Kaiser Health News | Published May 8, 2020
He and His Wife Shared a Lust for Travel 鈥 and a COVID Diagnosis
(LaKita Bush)
Joshua Bush
Age: 30 Occupation: Nurse and nursing student Place of Work: Benton House of Aiken in Aiken, South Carolina Date of Death: April 17, 2020
Joshua Bush never let his wife, LaKita, forget that she was five hours late for their first date.
鈥淗e never held back telling the truth,鈥 LaKita said, with a doleful laugh.
They met online in 2011, each attracted to the other鈥檚 lust for travel. For Joshua鈥檚 30th birthday, they took a cruise to Bermuda. He yearned to go farther afield to Tokyo to revel over anime.
Joshua began his nursing career after high school, eventually ending up at Benton House of Aiken, an assisted living facility. Joshua and LaKita, who works in human resources for a hospital, thought it was allergy-related when they both fell ill in late March. Benton House had no confirmed COVID cases at the time, LaKita said. Even still, the staff was taking precautions.
A doctor prescribed Joshua flu medication, but his symptoms 鈥 fever and aches but no cough 鈥 worsened, and he was admitted to a hospital in Augusta, Georgia, on April 4.
鈥淭hat was the last time I saw him alive,鈥 LaKita said.
Over the next few days, both tested positive for the coronavirus. Joshua was sedated in the hospital for two weeks and died on April 17. LaKita recovered at home.
Joshua was earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in nursing at the University of South Carolina-Aiken. May would have marked the couple鈥檚 fifth anniversary.
鈥 Sarah Varney, Kaiser Health News | Published May 8, 2020
Her Sudden Death Blindsided Husband and Autistic Son
(Vincent Carmello)
Karen Carmello
Age: 57 Occupation: Licensed practical nurse Place of Work: Maryhaven Center of Hope in Port Jefferson Station, New York Date of Death: April 16, 2020
Karen Carmello had an intimate understanding of working with intellectually disabled patients.
Her 26-year-old son, Steven, has autism. According to her husband, Vincent, the two spoke by phone every day. Steven would recall exactly what he did, and Karen listened intently.
鈥淪he could do no wrong in his eyes, ever,鈥 Vincent said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a very special bond, but it鈥檚 one that she earned.鈥
Sharing the news of her death was shattering: "It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do 鈥 letting him know."
When Karen took ill, she discovered that a patient in her ward had tested positive for COVID-19. She was hospitalized March 23. Eight days later, she sent Vincent her last text, at 2:17 a.m., before going to the ICU.
On April 16, hospital staff called and asked whether Vincent would be comfortable signing a do-not-resuscitate order. He hadn鈥檛 been able to see his wife, so he didn鈥檛 completely grasp how grave her condition was.
"I thought, 'OK, this must be a formality,'" he said. "I authorized it. And I got a call within two hours that she passed. I was stunned.鈥
鈥 Shoshana Dubnow, Kaiser Health News | Published May 8, 2020
His Facebook Posts Left Clues of a Tragic Timeline
(Felicia Dodson-Hill)
Maurice Dotson
Age: 51 Occupation: Certified nursing assistant Place of Work: West Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Austin, Texas Date of Death: April 17, 2020
Maurice Dotson鈥檚 sister knew something was wrong when her older brother didn鈥檛 post his daily Facebook update.
鈥淲e knew he was good as long as he posted every morning,鈥 Felicia Dodson-Hill, of Jacksonville, Arkansas, said.
Dotson, 51 鈥 a certified nursing assistant for 25 years at the West Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Austin 鈥 had begun caring for COVID-19 patients.
He sounded positive on Facebook, posting on March 30: 鈥淲e are going through scary, difficult times, but better days are coming.鈥
Days later, family in Arkansas couldn鈥檛 reach him.
鈥淲e had been trying to get in contact with him since April 1st,鈥 his sister said. 鈥淥n April 3rd, he posted that he had to go to the hospital 鈥 that he was not feeling good.鈥
Dodson-Hill said the hospital sent him home. Her mother finally reached him on April 6 or 7.
鈥淗e told my mom he didn鈥檛 have the energy to barely talk,鈥 Dodson-Hill said.
Dawunna Wilson, a cousin from Hazen, Arkansas, said Maurice called an ambulance on April 8. Results from his coronavirus test done at the hospital came back positive the next day. 鈥淔rom there, it was pretty much downhill,鈥 Wilson said.
鈥 Sharon Jayson | Published May 5, 2020
Community Salutes Nurse Who Loved Baseball
(Leigh Ann Lewis)
Barbara Finch
Age: 63 Occupation: Licensed practical nurse Place of Work: Southern Virginia Regional Medical Center in Emporia, Virginia Date of Death: March 29, 2020
When Barbara Finch got excited, she'd scrunch her hands into fists and wave them around like a kid at Christmas. She did it when the Atlanta Braves scored, or while watching her grandkids play baseball, her No. 1 passion outside work.
Finch spent her 37-year nursing career in the emergency department of the hospital in Emporia, Virginia (population of about 5,000), where one of her four children, Leigh Ann Lewis, worked as an EMT.
Lewis knew her mother was well liked: Patients she transported from the hospital would rave that Finch had been sweet and compassionate.
Finch fell ill on March 17 and died in an ICU 12 days later. As a hearse carried her casket to the graveyard, Lewis said, people lined the way at driveway mailboxes, churches and stores, holding signs that read, "We love you," "Praying for you," "Hugs." At her hospital, employees released balloons to the sky.
"It seemed like, in our area, she knew everybody 鈥 either she worked with them, or they were a patient of hers at some point," Lewis said. "It was a very, very large outpour of love and comfort and solidarity."
鈥 Melissa Bailey | Published May 8, 2020
'He Loved to Work,' With No Plans to Retire
(Giancarlo Pattugalan)
Tomas Pattugalan
Age: 70 Occupation: Internal medicine physician Place of Work: Private practice in Jamaica, Queens, New York Date of Death: March 29, 2020
Tomas Pattugalan鈥檚 kids had been encouraging him to retire. Even after 45 years of medicine, Pattugalan wasn鈥檛 ready to slow down.
鈥淗e loved his patients. He loved to work. He loved to help others,鈥 said Giancarlo, his son. 鈥淗e had an enormous capacity to give of himself.鈥
A father of three, Pattugalan grew up in the Philippines, immigrating to the U.S. in the 1970s. He was a devout Catholic 鈥 attending Mass weekly 鈥 and 鈥渒araoke master,鈥 Giancarlo said.
In early March, Pattugalan began testing patients for COVID-19. His medical history, including a family history of strokes and high blood pressure, heightened his own risk. So after tests of two patients returned positive, he got tested himself. On March 24, he learned he had the coronavirus.
鈥淗e made a joke and said Prince Charles had tested [positive] too, and he was sharing royalty,鈥 Giancarlo said. 鈥淗e was making light of it, not trying to get any of us worried.鈥
Pattugalan had a cough. Then came wheezing. His oxygen levels dropped. He tried hydroxychloroquine, an experimental treatment touted by President Donald Trump that has yielded mixed results. Nothing helped.
On March 29, Pattugalan agreed to seek hospital care. He died that day.
鈥 Shefali Luthra, Kaiser Health News | Published May 8, 2020
Says Widow Battling Cancer: 鈥楬e Was My Backbone鈥
(Melissa Castro Santos)
Darrin Santos
Age: 50 Occupation: Transportation supervisor Place of Work: NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester Behavioral Health Center in White Plains, New York Date of Death: April 4, 2020
Melissa Castro Santos had just started a new treatment for multiple myeloma when her husband, Darrin, got sick.
For nearly two weeks, he isolated in their bedroom, but after he began gasping for air, he went to the hospital. He died of COVID-19 days later.
鈥淚t鈥檚 just unbelievable,鈥 Castro Santos said.
As a transportation supervisor, Santos delivered health care workers and equipment between hospitals in the New York metropolitan area. He loved his job, Castro Santos said, and was known to drive doctors wherever and whenever they were needed, through heavy traffic and snowstorms.
Castro Santos, who has been battling cancer since 2012, said her husband doted on their three teenagers, all avid athletes. He arranged his work schedule to attend as many of their games as possible. When he couldn鈥檛 make it, she would call him on FaceTime so he could catch glimpses of the action.
Unable to hold a funeral, they arranged for burial five days after Santos died. Friends lined the streets in cars in a show of support as the family drove to and from the cemetery.
Now Castro Santos is confronting cancer without her husband. 鈥淗e was my backbone. He was the one who took me to chemotherapy and appointments.鈥
鈥 | Published May 8, 2020
An Animal Lover Who Loved Aerospace, She Died Alone at Home
(Aubree Farmer)
Lisa Ewald
Age: 53 Occupation: Registered nurse Place of Work: Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit Date of Death: April 1, 2020
Lisa Ewald was a nurse to many living things, human and otherwise.
When her neighbor Alexis Fernandez鈥檚 border collie had a stomach blockage, Ewald hooked the dog up to an IV four times a day. "She was this dedicated nurse who nursed my dog back to health," Fernandez said.
Ewald also loved gardening, aerospace and comic book conventions.
Ewald told Fernandez that a patient she had treated later tested positive for COVID-19, and that she was not wearing a mask at the time. Two days later, after seeing the patient, she got sick. After delays in accessing a test, she learned on March 30 that she was infected with the coronavirus.
A hospital spokesperson acknowledged that staff who treat coronavirus patients have a higher risk of exposure, but said there was 鈥渘o way to confirm鈥 how a staff member contracted the virus.
On March 31, Ewald didn鈥檛 answer when Fernandez texted her. The next day, Fernandez and a hospital nurse went to Ewald鈥檚 home to check on her and found her unresponsive on the couch.
"I said, 'Aren鈥檛 you going to go take her pulse or anything?'鈥 Fernandez said. 鈥淭he nurse just said, 鈥楽he鈥檚 gone.鈥"
鈥 Melissa Bailey | Published May 5, 2020
An Ardent EMT Who Seemed to Have Nine Lives
(Ben Geiger)
Scott Geiger
Age: 47 Occupation: Emergency medical technician Place of Work: Atlantic Health System in Mountainside and Warren, New Jersey Date of Death: April 13, 2020
Scott Geiger wasn鈥檛 always enthusiastic about school, but at age 16 he brought home a tome the size of two phone books. It was a manual for emergency medical technicians, and he devoured it, said his younger brother, Ben Geiger.
Scott was certified as an EMT at 17. He never married or had kids, but did not seem to miss those things.
鈥淗e was so focused on being an EMT and helping people in their most vulnerable and desperate moments,鈥 Ben said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 really what made him feel good.鈥
Scott loved playing pool each week with friends. He was a loyal New York Jets football fan, content to joke about their follies and watch them lose. He was quiet. And he seemed to have nine lives, his brother said, surviving hospitalizations for epilepsy as a kid and blood cancer around age 40.
When the coronavirus began to tear a path through northern New Jersey, he faced his EMT work with resolve. He downplayed his symptoms when he first fell ill in late March, but wound up spending 17 days on a ventilator before he died. The family has had to mourn separately, with the brothers鈥 father, who lived with Scott, in quarantine, and their mother confined to her room in a nursing home that has COVID-19 cases.
鈥 Christina Jewett, Kaiser Health News | Published May 5, 2020
Caring Nurse 鈥楢lways Put Herself Last鈥
(Lisa Lococo)
Theresa Lococo
Age: 68 Occupation: Pediatric nurse Place of Work: Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, New York Date of Death: March 27, 2020
Theresa Lococo spent most of her life at the hospital, working as a pediatric nurse for almost 48 years.
鈥淭here wasn鈥檛 a day that goes by she wouldn鈥檛 come home and tell me about her patients,鈥 said her daughter, Lisa Lococo. 鈥淪he had to be forced to take her vacation days.鈥
New York City Mayor lifelong service to New Yorkers, saying, 鈥淪he gave her life helping others.鈥
Theresa had dogs 鈥 鈥渟ometimes too many,鈥 Lisa said 鈥 and lived with her son, Anthony, in the home she owned for decades. She loved cooking and watching cooking shows, reading and following soap operas.
Theresa wasn鈥檛 tested for COVID-19. But Kings County Hospital, in Brooklyn, was by the coronavirus.
Days before dying, she described nausea. Friends recalled a cough. Her supervisor encouraged her to stay home, her daughter said.
Lisa called her mother on March 27, just as Anthony was dialing 911 for help.
鈥淪he always put others first,鈥 Lisa said. 鈥淪he always put herself last.鈥
鈥 Shefali Luthra, Kaiser Health News | Published May 5, 2020
He Was Full of Life and Planning for the Future
(The Luna family)
Felicisimo 鈥淭om鈥 Luna
Age: 62 Occupation: Emergency room nurse Place of Work: Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, New Jersey Date of Death: April 9, 2020
Tom Luna was a joker, a lively and outgoing man who thrived on the fast-paced and varied action of the emergency room. He also adored his three daughters, something clear to all who knew him.
鈥淭om was a fantastic emergency nurse. He was well liked and loved by his peers,鈥 Gerard Muench, administrative director of the Trinitas emergency department, said in a statement. 鈥淗is greatest love was for his wife and daughters, who he was very proud of.鈥
His oldest daughter, Gabrielle, 25, followed his path to become an ER nurse. When Tom fell ill with the coronavirus, he was admitted to the hospital where she works. At the end of her 12-hour night shifts, she made sure he had breakfast and helped him change his clothes. She propped a family photo next to his bed.
Tom鈥檚 wife, Kit, also a nurse, said that when some of his symptoms appeared to let up, they talked about him recovering at home. He was a planner, she said, and was already talking about their next family vacation, maybe to Spain.
鈥 Christina Jewett, Kaiser Health News | Published May 5, 2020
Air Force Veteran Went 鈥楢bove and Beyond for Patients鈥
Michael Marceaux and his wife, Dunia, when he graduated from nursing school in 2018 (Drake Marceaux)
Michael Marceaux
Age: 49 Occupation: Registered nurse Place of Work: Christus Highland Medical Center and Brentwood Hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana Date of Death: April 16, 2020
After Michael Marceaux retired from the Air Force, he went back to school. In 2018 he launched a new career as an emergency room nurse.
鈥淓veryone who worked with him said he was so happy,鈥 said Drake Marceaux, one of his four sons. 鈥淗e was willing to go above and beyond for patients.鈥
As the coronavirus spread throughout Louisiana, Michael developed a cough and fever. Soon afterward, he tested positive for COVID-19.
鈥淗e didn鈥檛 seem too worried,鈥 Drake said. 鈥淗e just wanted to make sure not to give it to other people.鈥
A spokesperson with Christus Health said Michael would be missed for 鈥渉ow he always had a positive attitude, even after a hard shift. His laughter brought joy to others.鈥 The spokesperson declined to answer questions about workplace safety conditions.
Drake said he wanted his father to be remembered for how much he was loved.
His funeral was livestreamed on Facebook. 鈥淎t one point, there were 2,000 viewers watching his service,鈥 Drake said. 鈥淎s much as he didn鈥檛 want attention, it gravitated toward him.鈥
鈥 Victoria Knight, Kaiser Health News | Published May 5, 2020
She Loved to Give Gifts and Never Forgot Her Hometown
(Donald Jay Marcos)
Celia Lardizabal Marcos
Age: 61 Occupation: Telemetry charge nurse Place of Work: CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Angeles Date of Death: April 17, 2020
Whenever she traveled to her hometown of Tagudin in the Philippines, Celia Lardizabal Marcos showered family with gifts and delighted in planning weekend outings for everyone, said her eldest son, Donald.
And when she returned home to California, she brought presents for her sons. 鈥淪he always thought of how her family could be happy,鈥 he said.
Trained as a nurse in her home country, Marcos immigrated to the United States in 2001 and settled in Los Angeles. Three years later, she became a telemetry charge nurse, a specialist who tracks patients鈥 vital signs using high-tech equipment.
On April 3, she was one of three nurses who responded after a suspected COVID patient went into cardiac arrest. Wearing a surgical mask, she intubated the patient. Three days later, she had a headache, body aches and difficulty breathing.
Her symptoms worsened, and she was admitted April 15 to the hospital where she had worked for 16 years. That was the last time Donald spoke to his mother. Two days later, she went into cardiac arrest and died that night.
Her sons plan to honor her wishes to be cremated and buried in Tagudin, alongside her parents.
鈥 | Published May 5, 2020
鈥楬ero Among Heroes,鈥 Doctor Cared for Generations of Patients
Francis Molinari (right) with his siblings (from left) Janice, Albert and Lisa (Lisa Molinari)
Francis Molinari
Age: 70 Occupation: Physician Place of Work: Private practice in Belleville, New Jersey; privileges at Clara Maass Medical Center Date of Death: April 9, 2020
In late March, Dr. Francis "Frankie" Molinari told his sister Lisa he was 鈥渄own for the count,鈥 with chills, fever and trouble breathing.
鈥淔rankie, you know what you have,鈥 she recalled telling him.
鈥渊别蝉.鈥
Two days later, he collapsed at home and was rushed to Clara Maass Medical Center. Colleagues stayed by his side as he succumbed to COVID-19.
鈥淲e take solace in the fact that he was cared for by colleagues and friends who deeply loved and respected him,鈥 his sister Janice wrote in a blog. 鈥淗e died a hero among heroes.鈥
Molinari, a New Jersey native who was married with an adult daughter, was the oldest of four siblings. His sisters describe him as a positive guy who loved music, fishing and teasing people with tall tales: He went to medical school in Bologna, Italy, and he liked to say he had played pinochle with the pope.
Molinari practiced medicine for over four decades, caring for generations of patients in the same family. His family suspects he contracted the coronavirus at his private practice.
鈥淎 friend had once described us as four different legs of the same table,鈥 Janice wrote. 鈥淣ow I鈥檓 stuck on the fact that we are only a three-legged table. Less beautiful, less sturdy. Broken.鈥
鈥 Laura Ungar, Kaiser Health News | Published May 5, 2020
5-Foot-Tall 鈥楩ireball鈥 Was a Prankster to Her Sons
(Josh Banago)
Celia Yap-Banago
Age: 69 Occupation: Registered nurse Place of Work: Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri Date of Death: April 21, 2020
Celia Yap-Banago was a 5-foot-tall 鈥渇ireball,鈥 said one co-worker. She had moved to the U.S. from the Philippines in 1970 and worked for nearly 40 years for the HCA Midwest Health system. Her family said she was planning for retirement.
Her son Josh said she showed her love through practical jokes: 鈥淵ou knew she loved you if she was yelling at you or if she was pranking you.鈥
鈥淪he was very outspoken,鈥 said Charlene Carter, a fellow nurse. 鈥淏ut I later learned that鈥檚 a really good quality to have, as a nurse, so you can advocate for your patients and advocate for yourself.鈥
In March, Yap-Banago treated a patient who later tested positive for COVID-19. Carter said Yap-Banago was not given personal protective equipment because she was not working in an area designed for COVID patients. She spent her final days in isolation to protect others.
A spokesperson for HCA Midwest Health said that medical staff received adequate personal protective equipment in line with CDC guidelines.
Josh said she spoke with reverence of her patients and their families. 鈥淪he was always focused on the family as a whole, and that the family was taken care of, not just the patient in the bed,鈥 he said.
鈥 Alex Smith, KCUR | Published May 5, 2020
In Ministry and Rescue Missions, 鈥楬e Put His All Into It鈥
(The Birmingham Family)
Billy Birmingham Sr.
Age: 69 Occupation: Emergency medical technician Place of Work: Kansas City Missouri Fire Department Date of Death: April 13, 2020
Bill Birmingham Jr. fondly remembers the year his father took on a new career. The whole family studied, even acting out scenes to ensure Billy Birmingham Sr., a minister, was ready for his emergency medical technician exam.
鈥淗e put his all into it,鈥 the son recalled.
Billy Birmingham passed the test. And from the late 1990s on, he served as an EMT and a minister.
His family rallied again for his doctorate in pastoral theology. During nearly four decades as a minister, he founded two churches.
鈥淗e had a heart for other people,鈥 his son said. 鈥淲hatever he could do for other people, he would do it.鈥
As an EMT with the Kansas City Fire Missouri Department, he was exposed to the novel coronavirus. The cough came in March.
鈥溾業鈥檓 just tired.鈥 That鈥檚 what he kept saying,鈥 his son said. His dad went to the hospital twice. The first time he told the staff about his symptoms and underlying health conditions, then they sent him home.
The second time he arrived in an ambulance. Just over two weeks later, his final hours arrived.
Hospital staff set up a video chat so his family could see him one last time.
鈥 Cara Anthony, Kaiser Health News | Published May 1, 2020
Jovial Man Trained Scores of Doctors in Obstetrics, Gynecology and Kindness
(Ashley Ulker)
Luis Caldera-Nieves
Age: 63 Occupation: OB-GYN doctor Place of Work: University of Miami and Jackson health systems in Miami Date of Death: April 8, 2020
"Somos felices.鈥 That was Dr. Luis Caldera-Nieves鈥 signature signoff after a cesarean section or patient visit or at the end of a difficult shift. 鈥淲e鈥檙e happy,鈥 he meant, and often, when he was around, it was true.
Caldera-Nieves, a popular OB-GYN, trained scores of doctors and helped bring thousands of babies into the world in his 25 years at the University of Miami and Jackson health systems.
Born in Bayam贸n, Puerto Rico, he worked as an Air Force doctor before joining UM, said longtime co-worker Dr. Jaime Santiago. Caldera-Nieves was so devoted to his patients that he often gave them his private phone number 鈥 and his wife鈥檚, Santiago said.
Because he was so jovial, he earned the nickname "the Puerto Rican Santa Claus," Santiago said.
"He was truly loved and admired by everyone who worked with him, and will be remembered for his humor and never-ending positive energy,鈥 said Dr. Jean-Marie Stephan, who trained under Caldera-Nieves.
In a statement, UM and Jackson confirmed Caldera-Nieves died from complications of COVID-19 and said they "grieve the loss of our esteemed and beloved colleague." He is survived by his wife and six adult children.
鈥 Melissa Bailey | Published May 1, 2020
A Cluster of Illness Robs Community of Another Fearless EMT
(Vito Cicchetti)
Kevin Leiva
Age: 24 Occupation: Emergency medical technician Place of Work: Saint Clare鈥檚 Health in Passaic, New Jersey Date of Death: April 7, 2020
When Kevin Leiva died of COVID-19 in early April, it was a second crushing loss to his close-knit team of EMT workers. Their colleague, Israel Tolentino Jr., had died one week before.
鈥淧eople were scared that everyone was going to die from it,鈥 said Vito Cicchetti, a director at Saint Clare's Health, where the men worked. 鈥淎fter Izzy died, we all started getting scared for Kevin.鈥
Leiva, , 鈥渨as always worried about his crew.鈥 He was 鈥渧ery proud鈥 of his work and was recalled to have said 鈥渂ecoming an EMT was an act of God.鈥
He met his wife, Marina, online while they were in high school. She moved a thousand miles to build a life with him. He loved spending time at their home, playing guitar and tending to his tegu lizards, AJ and Blue.
As COVID-19 ramped up, the station鈥檚 three ambulances each handled up to 15 dispatches a shift, roughly double the usual number. In a busy 12-hour shift, EMTs often responded to calls continuously, stopping only to decontaminate themselves and the truck.
Leiva 鈥渁lways had a joke鈥 that helped to defuse stressful situations and bring his co-workers together, Cicchetti said.
鈥 Michelle Andrews | Published May 1, 2020
Firefighting and 鈥楬elping People鈥 Were in His Blood
(The Terre Haute Fire Department)
John Schoffstall
Age: 41 Occupation: Paramedic and firefighter Place of Work: Terre Haute Fire Department in Terre Haute, Indiana Date of Death: April 12, 2020
John Schoffstall grew up around firehouses, and it was at his own firehouse in Terre Haute, Indiana, that he was exposed to the coronavirus.
A paramedic and firefighter with the Terre Haute Fire Department for almost 12 years, Schoffstall died April 12 at age 41. Deputy Chief Glen Hall said investigations by the county health department and his own department 鈥渄etermined John contracted the virus from another firefighter in the firehouse.鈥 Four other firefighters 鈥渉ad symptoms but none progressed.鈥
"We respond every day to potential COVID patients," Hall said.
Jennifer Schoffstall, his wife of 18 years, said her husband went to the hospital March 28.
鈥淗is breathing was so bad in the ER, they just decided to keep him,鈥 she said. 鈥淗e regressed from there.鈥
Hall said Schoffstall鈥檚 鈥渂iggest hobby was his family,鈥 with a son, 17, and a daughter, 13.
Schoffstall鈥檚 father had been a volunteer firefighter, Jennifer said, and her husband signed up for the New Goshen Volunteer Fire Department when he turned 18.
鈥淗e loved the fire service and everything about it,鈥 she said. 鈥淗e loved helping people.鈥
鈥 Sharon Jayson | Published May 1, 2020
Boston Nurse, a Former Bus Driver, Was a Champion for Education
(Teadris Pope)
Rose Taldon
Age: 63 Occupation: Nurse Place of Work: New England Baptist Hospital in Boston Date of Death: April 12, 2020
Rose Taldon was just 5 feet tall. But when she bellowed out the window, her kids ran right home.
"She didn't take any crap," said her daughter, Teadris Pope.
Taldon raised three children with her husband on the street where she grew up in Dorchester, Boston. She was respected as a strong Black woman, earning a nursing degree while working in public transit for 23 years. Described as stern, she still was quick to tickle her eight grandkids.
Taldon was generous: Even as she lay in a hospital in April, exhausted from the coronavirus, she arranged to pay bills for an out-of-work friend, her daughter said.
It's unclear whether Taldon caught the virus at her hospital, designated for non-COVID patients. Hospital officials said three patients and 22 staff have tested positive.
Once her mother was hospitalized, Pope couldn鈥檛 visit. On Easter morning, a doctor called at 2 a.m., offering to put Taldon on a video call.
"I just talked until I had no words," Pope said. "I was just telling her, 'We鈥檙e so proud of you. You worked so hard raising us. 鈥 You鈥檝e gone through a hell of a fight.'"
An hour later, her mother was gone.
鈥 Melissa Bailey | Published May 1, 2020
Unflappable First Responder With an Ever-Ready Smile
(Vito Cicchetti)
Israel Tolentino Jr.
Age: 33 Occupation: Emergency medical technician and firefighter Place of Work: Saint Clare鈥檚 Health and the Passaic Fire Department, both in Passaic, New Jersey Date of Death: March 31, 2020
When Israel Tolentino Jr. arrived for his EMT shift one morning in March, he seemed fine. Then he got a headache. Then a fever came on, and he was sent home, said Vito Cicchetti, a director at Saint Clare's Health.
Izzy, as he was called, was an EMT who fulfilled his dream to become a firefighter. In 2018, the former Marine took a job with the Passaic Fire Department but kept up shifts at Saint Clare鈥檚.
He was husband to Maria Vazquez, whom he鈥檇 met at church, according to . They had two young children.
The work pace could be brutal during the pandemic. In a 12-hour shift, Tolentino and his partner were dispatched to one emergency after another, each typically lasting under an hour but requiring nearly that long to decontaminate their gear and truck.
Izzy died in hospital care. The coronavirus tore through his EMT team. Most eventually recovered. But his friend and co-worker Kevin Leiva also died.
Izzy鈥檚 unflappable, cheerful presence is missed, Cicchetti said: 鈥淣o matter how mad you were, he鈥檇 come up with a smile and you鈥檇 be chuckling to yourself.鈥
Cicchetti hasn鈥檛 replaced either man: 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know if I鈥檓 ready for that yet.鈥
鈥 Michelle Andrews | Published May 1, 2020
Their Decade-Long Dream Marriage Ends in Nightmare
(The Detroit Fire Department)
Capt. Franklin Williams
Age: 57 Occupation: Firefighter and medical first responder Place of Work: Detroit Fire Department in Detroit Date of Death: April 8, 2020
Capt. Franklin Williams stood at the altar on his wedding day and pretended to hunt for the ring. He patted his chest, then his pants legs and looked up at his soon-to-be wife with a million-dollar smile.
He was always clowning and 鈥渟o silly,鈥 said Shanita Williams, his wife, recalling how he wanted to make her laugh. Williams, 57, died from complications of the novel coronavirus on April 8 鈥 one month before the couple鈥檚 10-year wedding anniversary.
Williams had been on an emergency call with a verified COVID patient before falling ill, according to Detroit Fire Department Chief Robert Distelrath. He died in the line of duty.
Crews are equipped with personal protective equipment including a gown, N95 mask and gloves. But it鈥檚 easy for a mask to slip 鈥 鈥渨hen you鈥檙e giving [chest] compressions, your mask isn鈥檛 staying in place all the time,鈥 said Thomas Gehart, president of the Detroit Fire Fighters Association.
When Williams fell sick on March 24, he moved to the guest bedroom and never returned to work.
鈥淚鈥檓 thankful and thank God for having him in my life,鈥 Shanita said, adding that she keeps hoping this is a nightmare and she鈥檒l soon wake up.
鈥 Sarah Jane Tribble, Kaiser Health News | Published May 1, 2020
A 9/11 First Responder, He Answered the Call During the Pandemic
(The Valley Stream Fire Department)
Mike Field
Age: 59 Occupation: Volunteer emergency medical technician Place of Work: Village of Valley Stream on New York鈥檚 Long Island Date of Death: April 8, 2020
Mike Field had a strong sense of civic duty. An emergency medical technician, he was a first responder with the New York Fire Department (FDNY) on 9/11. He was also a member of his community鈥檚 all-volunteer fire department since 1987.
After he retired from FDNY in 2002, he took a job making and posting street signs with his local public works department. He continued to volunteer with Valley Stream鈥檚 fire department and mentoring the junior fire department. When he wasn鈥檛 responding to emergencies or training future emergency technicians, he led a Boy Scout troop and volunteered for animal causes.
鈥淗ere鈥檚 somebody who cares about the community and cares about its people,鈥 said Valley Stream鈥檚 mayor, Ed Fare, who had known Mike since the seventh grade.
Stacey Field, Mike鈥檚 wife, said he found his calling early, after his own father experienced a heart attack. 鈥淲hen the fire department EMTs came and helped his dad, he decided that鈥檚 what he wanted to do,鈥 she said.
Their three sons 鈥 Steven, 26; Richie, 22; and Jason, 19 鈥 have followed in their father鈥檚 footsteps. Steven and Richie are EMTs in New York; Jason plans on training to become one as well. All three volunteer at the same fire station their father did.
In late March, Mike and fellow volunteer responders were called to an emergency involving a patient showing symptoms of COVID-19. Field died on April 8.
鈥 Sharon Jayson | Published April 29, 2020
Nurse Fought for His Life in Same ICU Where He Cared for Patients
(Romielyn Guillermo)
Ali Dennis Guillermo
Age: 44 Occupation: Nurse Place of Work: Long Island Community Hospital in East Patchogue, New York Date of Death: April 7, 2020
In 2004, Ali Dennis Guillermo, his wife, Romielyn, and their daughter came to New York from the Philippines to find a better life.
Everything fell into place. The former nursing instructor landed a job at Long Island Community Hospital, often working in intensive care or the emergency room. He enjoyed the intensity of ER work, his wife said. As years passed, the couple had two sons and settled into a close-knit Philippine community.
As COVID-19 emerged, Guillermo was posted to the step-down floor, working with patients transitioning out of intensive care.
A lot of the nurses on his floor had gotten sick with the virus, his wife said, and 鈥渆verybody was scared.鈥
And then, Guillermo felt achy, with a fever that soared to 102. He went to the hospital and X-rays were taken, but he was sent home. Within days, his blood oxygen level plummeted.
鈥淢y nails are turning blue,鈥 he told his wife. 鈥淵ou should take me to the ER.鈥
He was admitted that night in late March, and they never spoke again.
In the ICU unit where he鈥檇 often worked, Guillermo was intubated and treated. Nearly two weeks later, he died.
鈥 Michelle Andrews | Published April 29, 2020
An Eager Student, He Aimed to Become a Physician Assistant
(Catrisha House-Phelps)
James House
Age: 40 Occupation: Registered nurse Place of Work: Omni Continuing Care nursing home in Detroit Date of Death: March 31, 2020
James House had a voracious appetite for learning about and a fascination with the human body.
His sister, Catrisha House-Phelps, traces it back to childhood visits to a dialysis center where their father received treatments. 鈥淭hat was what tugged at his heart,鈥 she said. 鈥淗e just always wanted to know 鈥榳hy.鈥欌
House-Phelps said her brother adored his five children, treasured his anatomy and physiology books and got a kick out of the residents he cared for at Omni Continuing Care. 鈥淗e thought they were family; he just said they were funny people,鈥 she said. He had hoped to go back to school to become a physician assistant.
House came down with what he thought was the flu in mid-March. His sister said he tried to get tested for COVID-19 but was turned away because he was not showing textbook symptoms and had no underlying health issues. On March 31, after resting at home for over a week, House returned to work. Hours later, he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital.
He texted his sister with updates on his condition. 鈥淚鈥檓 about to be intubated now,鈥 he wrote. It was the last message he sent her.
鈥 | Published April 29, 2020
She Loved a Parade and Catering to Patients
Pamela Hughes and her daughter, Brie (Angie McAllister)
Pamela Hughes
Age: 50 Occupation: Nursing home medication aide Place of Work: Signature HealthCARE at Summit Manor in Columbia, Kentucky Date of Death: April 13, 2020
Pamela Hughes lived her entire life in rural Columbia, Kentucky, but longed for wide, sandy beaches. For vacation, Hughes and her daughter, Brie, 26, eagerly drove 14 hours to Daytona Beach, Florida, or Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
After high school, Hughes worked at Summit Manor, a nursing home in Columbia, for 32 years. She knew which residents preferred chocolate milk or applesauce with their medication; she remembered their favorite outfits and colors. Hughes鈥 shy demeanor vanished each December when she and co-worker Angie McAllister built a float for the town鈥檚 Christmas parade competition.
鈥淲e built 10 floats over 10 years,鈥 McAllister said. 鈥淲e got second place every year.鈥
Even after several residents tested positive for the coronavirus, Hughes dismissed her worsening cough as allergies or bronchitis. The nursing home was short on help and she wanted to serve her patients, Brie said.
Days later, the public health department suggested her mother get tested. She tested positive, and her health worsened 鈥 food tasted bitter, her fever soared, her hearing dulled. On April 10, Hughes was taken by ambulance to a hospital, then by helicopter to Jewish Hospital in Louisville. Barred from visiting, Brie said goodbye over FaceTime.
鈥 Sarah Varney, Kaiser Health News | Published April 29, 2020
The Family Matriarch and 鈥榃e鈥檙e Failing Miserably Without Her鈥
(Ginu John)
Aleyamma John
Age: 65 Occupation: Registered nurse Place of Work: Queens Hospital Center in New York City Date of Death: April 5, 2020
Aleyamma John鈥檚 family wanted her to retire. Her husband, Johnny, an MTA transit worker, had stopped working a few years earlier. He and their son Ginu urged her to follow suit. 鈥淲e told her, 鈥業鈥檓 sure Dad wants to see the world with you 鈥 you need to give him that opportunity,鈥欌 Ginu said.
She demurred. 鈥淚 think she found fulfillment in being able to serve,鈥 Ginu said. 鈥淪he was able to hold people鈥檚 hands, you know, even when they were deteriorating and be there for them.鈥 She began her career as a nurse in India 45 years ago; she and her husband immigrated to the United Arab Emirates, where their two sons were born, and moved to New York in 2002.
Ginu said his mother, a devout Christian, found joy in tending to her vegetable garden and doting on her two grandchildren. She cooked dishes from her native India and filled the Long Island home she shared with Johnny, Ginu and Ginu鈥檚 family with flowers.
In March, as Queens Hospital Center began to swell with COVID-19 patients, John sent her family a photo of herself and colleagues wearing surgical hats and masks but not enough personal protective equipment. Days later, she developed a fever and tested positive for the virus. Johnny, Ginu and Ginu鈥檚 wife, Elsa, a nurse practitioner, also became ill.
When John鈥檚 breathing became labored, her family made the difficult decision to call 911. It would be the last time they saw her. 鈥淲e鈥檙e 17 days in, and I feel like we鈥檙e failing miserably without her,鈥 Ginu said.
鈥 | Published April 29, 2020
鈥楢 Kind Man鈥 Looking Forward to Retirement
(Jesse Soto)
Thomas Soto
Age: 59 Occupation: Radiology clerk Place of Work: Woodhull Medical Center, a public hospital in Brooklyn, New York Date of Death: April 7, 2020
After more than 30 years at one of New York City鈥檚 busy public hospitals, Thomas Soto loved his job but was looking forward to retiring, said his son, Jesse Soto, who lived with him.
At Soto鈥檚 busy station near the emergency room, he greeted patients and took down their information.
鈥淓verybody saw him before their X-rays,鈥 Soto, 29, said. 鈥淗e smiled all day, made jokes. He was a kind man.鈥
As COVID patients began to overwhelm Woodhull and other emergency rooms across the city, Soto said that at first his father didn鈥檛 have any protective gear.
He eventually got a mask. But he still grew very sick, developing a high fever, body aches and a wracking cough. After a week, Soto said, 鈥渉e couldn鈥檛 take it anymore.鈥
He went to Woodhull, where he was admitted. When they tried to put him on a ventilator two days later, he died. The hospital did not respond to requests for comment.
鈥 Michelle Andrews | Published April 29, 2020
'Blooming' in Her First Job on Path to Becoming a Nurse
(The Viveros family via GoFundMe)
Valeria Viveros
Age: 20 Occupation: Nursing assistant Place of Work: Extended Care Hospital of Riverside, California Date of Death: April 10, 2020
At 20 years old, Valeria Viveros was "barely blooming," developing the skills and ambition to pursue a nursing career, said Gustavo Urrea, her uncle. Working at Extended Care Hospital of Riverside was her first job.
Viveros, born in California to Mexican immigrants, grew attached to her patients at the nursing home, bringing them homemade ceviche, Urrea said. About a month ago, as he watched her cook, play and joke with her grandmother, he noticed how much her social skills had grown.
When she would say "Hi, T铆o," in her playful, sweet, high-pitched voice, "it was like the best therapy you could have," Urrea recalled. Viveros, who lived with her parents and two siblings, was enrolled in classes at a community college.
Viveros felt sick on March 30, went to a nearby hospital and was sent home with Tylenol, Urrea said. By April 4, she couldn't get out of bed on her own. She left in an ambulance and never came back.
"We鈥檙e all destroyed," he said. "I can鈥檛 even believe it."
On April 5, county health officials had sickened 30 patients and some staff at her nursing home. Trent Evans, general counsel for Extended Care, said staffers are heartbroken by her death.
Viveros was 鈥渉ead over heels in love with the residents that she served," he said. "She was always there for them."
鈥 Melissa Bailey | Published April 29, 2020
Surgical Technician Made Friends Everywhere She Went
(Jorge Casarez)
Monica Echeverri Casarez
Age: 49 Occupation: Surgical technician Place of Work: Detroit Medical Center Harper University Hospital in Detroit Date of Death: April 11, 2020
Monica Echeverri Casarez was in constant motion, said her husband, Jorge Casarez. The daughter of Colombian immigrants, she worked as a Spanish-English interpreter in clinical settings. She was the kind of person whose arrival at a mom and pop restaurant would elicit hugs from the owners. She also co-founded Southwest Detroit Restaurant Week, a nonprofit that supports local businesses.
Twice a month, she scrubbed in as a surgical technician at Harper University Hospital. 鈥淪he liked discovering the beauty of how the body works and how science is clear and orderly,鈥 Casarez said. She was organized and intuitive, qualities that are assets in the operating room. On March 21, she of herself in protective gear with the caption: 鈥淚鈥檇 be lying if I said I wan鈥檛 at least a bit nervous to be there now.鈥 Since many elective surgeries had been canceled, Echeverri Casarez was tasked with taking the temperatures of people who walked into the hospital and making sure their hands were sterilized.
Soon after, Echeverri Casarez and Casarez began feeling ill. Quarantined together, Echeverri Casarez tried to make the best of the situation. She baked her husband a cake 鈥 chocolate with white frosting. She died a few days later.
鈥 | Published April 24, 2020
A Whip-Smart Neurologist Endlessly Fascinated With the Brain
(Jennifer Sclar)
Gary Sclar
Age: 66 Occupation: Neurologist Place of Work: Mount Sinai Queens in New York City Date of Death: April 12, 2020
Gary Sclar was a whip-smart neurologist who loved comic books, 鈥淕ame of Thrones鈥 and 鈥淪tar Wars,鈥 said his daughter, Jennifer Sclar. He was deeply compassionate with a blunt bedside manner.
鈥淢y dad was fascinated with the brain and with science,鈥 Jennifer Sclar said. 鈥淗is work was his passion, and it鈥檚 what made him the happiest, besides my brother and me.鈥 Set to retire in June, he was looking forward to writing about politics and neurology.
Gary Sclar saw patients who were showing COVID-19 symptoms and knew his age and underlying health conditions 鈥 he had diabetes 鈥 put him at risk for developing complications from the illness. His daughter pleaded with him to stop going to the hospital.
In early April, he mentioned having lost his sense of smell, and on April 8 he collapsed in his home. He was hospitalized a few days later and agreed to be intubated. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think he realized, like, that this was the end,鈥 Jennifer Sclar said. 鈥淗e brought his keys. He brought his wallet.鈥
鈥 | Published April 24, 2020
An Exacting but Loving Aunt, She Was a Mentor Until the End
(Jhoanna Mariel Buendia)
Araceli Buendia Ilagan
Age: 63 Occupation: Intensive care unit nurse Place of Work: Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami Date of Death: March 27, 2020
For Jhoanna Mariel Buendia, her aunt was a constant 鈥 if distant 鈥 presence. Araceli Buendia Ilagan emigrated from their hometown Baguio, in the Philippines, to the U.S. before Buendia was born, but she remained close to her family and communicated with them nearly every day.
鈥淪he was one of the smartest people I ever knew,鈥 Buendia, 27, said. Buendia Ilagan, who at one point looked into adopting her niece so she could join her and her husband the United States, encouraged Buendia to become a nurse, and talked her through grueling coursework in anatomy and physiology. Buendia is now a nurse in London.
Buendia Ilagan was also demanding. 鈥淲henever she visited the Philippines, she wanted everything to be organized and squeaky-clean,鈥 Buendia said.
The last time the two spoke, in late March, Buendia Ilagan didn鈥檛 mention anything about feeling ill. Instead, the two commiserated over their experiences of treating patients with COVID-19; as always, her aunt offered her advice on staying safe while giving the best possible care. She died four days later.
鈥 | Published April 22, 2020
A Beloved Geriatric Psychiatrist and Church Musician Remembered for His Cooking Skills
(Nida Gonzales)
Leo Dela Cruz
Age: 57 Occupation: Geriatric psychiatrist Place of Work: Christ Hospital and CarePoint Health in Jersey City, New Jersey Date of Death: April 8, 2020
Dr. Leo Dela Cruz was nervous about going to work in the weeks before he died, his friends said. Like many in the region, Christ Hospital had an influx of COVID-19 patients and of ventilators and masks.
Dela Cruz was a geriatric psychiatrist and didn鈥檛 work in coronavirus wards. But he continued to see patients in person. In early April, Dela Cruz, who lived alone, complained only of migraines, his friends said. Within a week, his condition worsened, and he was put on a ventilator at a nearby hospital. He died soon after.
Friends said he may have been exposed at the hospital. (In a statement, hospital representatives said he didn鈥檛 treat COVID-19 patients.)
Dela Cruz, the oldest of 10 siblings, came from a family of health care professionals. His friends and family 鈥 from Cebu, Philippines, to Teaneck, New Jersey 鈥 remembered his jovial personality on Facebook. He won 鈥渂est doctor of the year鈥 awards, played tennis and cooked traditional Cebu dishes.
Nida Gonzales, a colleague, said he always supported people, whether funding a student鈥檚 education or running a church mental health program. 鈥淚 feel like I lost a brother,鈥 she said.
鈥 | Published April 22, 2020
Alabama Nurse Remembered as Selfless but Sassy
(Amanda Williams)
Rose Harrison
Age: 60 Occupation: Nurse Place of Work: Marion Regional Nursing Home in Hamilton, Alabama Date of Death: April 6, 2020
Rose Harrison, 60, lived to serve others 鈥 her husband, three daughters, grandchildren and the residents of the nursing home where she worked. Though the Alabama nurse was selfless, she also had a sassy edge to her personality and a penchant for road rage, her daughter, Amanda Williams said.
鈥淗er personality was so funny, you automatically loved her,鈥 Williams said. 鈥淪he was so outspoken. If she didn鈥檛 agree with you, she鈥檇 tell you in a respectful way.鈥
Harrison was not wearing a mask when she cared for a patient who later tested positive for COVID-19 at Marion Regional Nursing Home in Hamilton, Alabama, her daughter said. She later developed a cough, fatigue and a low-grade fever, but kept reporting to duty all week. Officials from the nursing home did not return calls for comment.
On April 3, Williams drove her mother to a hospital. The following evening, Harrison discussed the option of going on a ventilator with loved ones on a video call, agreeing it was the best course. Williams believed that her mother fully expected to recover. She died April 6.
鈥 Christina Jewett, Kaiser Health News | Published April 22, 2020
Connecticut Social Worker Had Angelic Singing Voice and a Zest for Life
(The Hunt family)
Curtis Hunt
Age: 57 Occupation: Social worker Places of Work: Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center and New Reach, both in New Haven, Connecticut Date of Death: March 23, 2020
At a shelter for adults recovering from addiction, residents looked forward to the days when Marion 鈥淐urtis鈥 Hunt would take the stage, emceeing talent shows and belting out Broadway and gospel tunes.
It wasn鈥檛 part of his job description as a social worker. It was just one of the ways he went 鈥渁bove and beyond,鈥 said his supervisor at Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center, Daena Murphy. 鈥淗e had a beautiful voice,鈥 she said. 鈥淗e was just a wonderful person 鈥 funny, engaging, always a huge smile on his face.鈥
Hunt, the youngest of four brothers, earned his master鈥檚 in social work from Fordham University at 52, and was baptized at his brother鈥檚 Pentecostal church at 54. He was a devoted uncle who doted on his dog and cat, Mya and Milo.
It鈥檚 unclear how Hunt got infected, but one patient he worked with had tested positive for COVID-19, as did two co-workers, according to Dr. Ece Tek, another supervisor at Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center. Hunt died on March 23, one week after developing flu-like symptoms, said his brother John Mann Jr.
鈥 Melissa Bailey | Published April 22, 2020
To the End, King-Smith Was Driven by a Desire to Help Others
(Hassana Salaam-Rivers)
Kim King-Smith
Age: 53 Occupation: Electrocardiogram technician Place of Work: University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey Date of Death: March 31, 2020
Kim King-Smith was a natural caregiver. An only child, she grew up close to her extended family, including her cousins Hassana Salaam-Rivers and Sharonda Salaam. After Salaam developed multiple sclerosis, King-Smith visited her every day.
鈥淪he鈥檇 bring her sweets that she wasn鈥檛 supposed to have and share them with her,鈥 Salaam-Rivers said. King-Smith鈥檚 desire to care for others was the reason she became an electrocardiogram technician, her cousin added. 鈥淚f a friend of a friend or family member went to the hospital, she would always go and visit them as soon as her shift was over,鈥 she said.
In March, King-Smith cared for a patient she said had symptoms of COVID-19; she soon fell ill herself and tested positive for the virus. It seemed like a mild case at first, and she stayed in touch with family via FaceTime while trying to isolate from her husband, Lenny.
On March 29, Salaam-Rivers checked in on her cousin and noticed she was struggling to breathe. She urged her to call an ambulance. After King-Smith was hospitalized, she exchanged text messages with her mother and cousin. As the day progressed, her messages carried increasingly grave news, Salaam-Rivers said. Then she stopped responding.
鈥 | Published April 22, 2020
On the Eve of Retirement, VA Nurse Succumbs to COVID-19
(Mark Accad)
Debbie Accad
Age: 72 Occupation: Clinical nursing coordinator Place of Work: Detroit VA Medical Center in Detroit, Michigan Date of Death: March 30, 2020
Nurse Divina "Debbie" Accad had cared for veterans for over 25 years and was set to retire in April. But after contracting the novel coronavirus, she spent her final 11 days on a ventilator 鈥 and didn鈥檛 survive past March.
She joined a growing list of health care professionals working on the front lines of the pandemic who have died from COVID-19.
Accad, 72, a clinical nursing coordinator at the Detroit VA Medical Center, dedicated her life to nursing, according to her son Mark Accad.
"She died doing what she loved most,鈥 he said. 鈥淭hat was caring for people."
鈥 Melissa Bailey | Published April 15, 2020
California Nurse Thrived in ER and ICU but Couldn鈥檛 Survive COVID-19
Jeff Baumbach and his wife, Karen (The Baumbach family)
Jeff Baumbach
Age: 57 Occupation: Registered nurse Place of Work: St. Joseph鈥檚 Medical Center in Stockton, California Date of Death: March 31, 2020
Jeff Baumbach, 57, was a seasoned nurse of 28 years when the novel coronavirus began to circulate in California. He鈥檇 worked in the ER, the ICU and on a cardiac floor. Hepatitis and tuberculosis had been around over the years but never posed a major concern. He鈥檇 cared for patients who had tuberculosis.
Jeff and his wife, Karen Baumbach, also a nurse, initially didn鈥檛 consider it significantly riskier than challenges they鈥檇 faced for years.
鈥淗e鈥檇 worked in the ICU. He was exposed to so many things, and we never got anything,鈥 she said. 鈥淭his was just ramping up.鈥
One day during work, Jeff sent a sarcastic text to his wife: 鈥淚 love wearing a mask every day.鈥
Within weeks, he would wage a difficult and steady fight against the virus that ended with a sudden collapse.
鈥 Christina Jewett, Kaiser Health News | Published April 15, 2020
Nurse's Faith Led Her to Care for Prisoners at a New Jersey Jail
(Denise Rendor)
Daisy Doronila
Age: 60 Occupation: Registered nurse Place of Work: Hudson County Correctional Facility in Kearny, New Jersey Date of Death: April 5, 2020
Daisy Doronila had a different perspective than most who worked at the Hudson County Correctional Facility, a New Jersey lockup 11 miles from Manhattan. It was a place where the veteran nurse could put her Catholic faith into action, showing kindness to marginalized people.
鈥淭here would be people there for the most heinous crimes,鈥 said her daughter, Denise Rendor, 28, 鈥渂ut they would just melt towards my mother because she really was there to give them care with no judgment.鈥
Doronila, 60, died April 5, two weeks after testing positive for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The jail has been hit hard by the virus, with 27 inmates and 68 staff members having tested positive. Among those, another nurse, a correctional officer and a clerk also died, according to Ron Edwards, Hudson County鈥檚 director of corrections.
Doronila fell ill before the scope of the jail infections were known. She was picking up extra shifts in the weeks before, her daughter said, and planning on a trip to Israel soon with friends from church.
That plan began to fall apart March 14, when someone at the jail noticed her coughing and asked her to go home and visit a doctor.
鈥 Christina Jewett, Kaiser Health News | Published April 15, 2020
An Army Veteran, Hospital Custodian 'Loved Helping People'
(Michelle Wilcox)
Alvin Simmons
Age: 54 Occupation: Environmental service assistant Place of Work: Rochester General Hospital in Rochester, New York Death: March 17, 2020
Alvin Simmons started working as a custodian at Rochester General Hospital, in New York state, weeks before he fell ill. 鈥淗e loved helping people and he figured the best place to do that would be in a hospital,鈥 his sister, Michelle Wilcox said.
An Army veteran who had served in the first Gulf War, Simmons loved karaoke and doted on his three grandchildren, Wilcox said. 鈥淗e was a dedicated, hardworking individual who had just changed his life around鈥 since a prison stint, she said.
According to Wilcox, Simmons began developing symptoms shortly after cleaning the room of a woman he believed was infected with the novel coronavirus. 鈥淥ther hospital employees did not want to clean the room because they said they weren鈥檛 properly trained鈥 to clean the room of someone potentially infected, she said. 鈥淭hey got my brother from a different floor, because he had just started there,鈥 she said. (In an email, a hospital spokesperson said they had 鈥渘o evidence to suggest that Mr. Simmons was at a heightened risk of exposure to COVID-19 by virtue of his training or employment duties at RGH.鈥)
On March 11, he visited the emergency room at Rochester General, where he was tested for聽COVID-19, Wilcox said. Over the next few days, as he rested at his girlfriend鈥檚 home, his breathing became more labored and he began to cough up blood. He was rushed to the hospital on March 13, where he was later declared brain-dead. Subsequently,聽he received a COVID-19 diagnosis. Simmons died on March 17.
鈥 | Published April 15, 2020
Nurse at Nevada VA Dies After Caring for Infected Colleague
(Bob Thompson)
Vianna Thompson
Age: 52 Occupation: Nurse Places of Work: VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System and Northern Nevada Medical Center in Reno, Nevada Date of Death: April 7, 2020
Nurse Vianna Thompson, 52, spent two night shifts caring for a fellow Veterans Affairs health care worker who was dying from COVID-19.
Two weeks later, she too was lying in a hospital intensive care unit, with a co-worker holding her hand as she died.
Thompson and the man she treated were among in Reno, Nevada, to die in two weeks from complications of the novel coronavirus.
"It鈥檚 pretty devastating. It鈥檚 surreal. Reno鈥檚 not that big of a city," said Robyn Underhill, a night nurse who worked with Thompson in the ER at Reno's VA hospital the past two years.
Thompson, who dreamed of teaching nursing one day, died April 7, joining a growing list of health care professionals killed in the pandemic.
鈥 Melissa Bailey | Published April 15, 2020
Dr. J. Ronald Verrier Was Busy Saving Lives Before the Pandemic
(Christina Pardo)
J. Ronald Verrier
Age: 59 Occupation: Surgeon Place of Work: St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx, New York Date of Death: April 8, 2020
Dr. J. Ronald Verrier, a surgeon at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx, spent the final weeks of his audacious, unfinished life tending to a torrent of patients inflicted with COVID-19. He died April 8 at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital in Oceanside, New York, at age 59, after falling ill from the novel coronavirus.
Verrier led the charge even as the financially strapped St. Barnabas Hospital struggled to find masks and gowns to protect its workers 鈥 many nurses continue to make cloth masks 鈥 and makeshift morgues in the parking lot held patients who had died.
鈥淗e did a good work,鈥 said Jeannine Sherwood, a nurse manager at St. Barnabas Hospital who worked closely with Verrier.
鈥淗e can rest.鈥
鈥 Sarah Varney, Kaiser Health News | Published April 15, 2020
America鈥檚 First ER Doctor to Die in the Heat of COVID-19 Battle
(Debra Vasalech Lyons)
Frank Gabrin
Age: 60 Occupation: Doctor Places of Work: St. John鈥檚 Episcopal in Queens, New York, and East Orange General in New Jersey Date of Death: March 26, 2020
At about 5 a.m. on March 19, a New York City ER physician named Frank Gabrin texted a friend about his concerns over the lack of medical supplies at hospitals.
鈥淚t鈥檚 busy 鈥 everyone wants a COVID test that I do not have to give them,鈥 he wrote in the message to Eddy Soffer. 鈥淪o they are angry and disappointed.鈥
Worse, though, was the limited availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) 鈥 the masks and gloves that help keep health care workers from getting sick and spreading the virus to others. Gabrin said he had no choice but to don the same mask for several shifts, against Food and Drug Administration guidelines.
鈥淒on鈥檛 have any PPE that has not been used,鈥 he wrote. 鈥淣o N95 masks 鈥 my own goggles 鈥 my own face shield,鈥 he added, referring to the N95 respirators considered among the best lines of defense.
Less than two weeks later, Gabrin became the first ER doctor in the U.S. known to have died as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the American College of Emergency Physicians.
鈥 | Published April 10, 2020
This story is part of "Lost on the Frontline," an ongoing project from and Kaiser Health News that aims to document the lives of health care workers in the U.S. who die from COVID-19, and to investigate why so many are victims of the disease. If you have a colleague or loved one we should include, please .
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