The Emotional Pendulum Swings from a Virus with Unpredictable Outcomes

The wide-ranging outcomes of impacted patients are felt emotionally by CCI staff. Experiencing the loss of patients have left scars on clinical teams. CCI Chief Medical Officer Melissa Clark, M.D. recalls working with two families who experienced multiple family members falling ill. Each family experienced a hospitalization, but only one family’s loved one made it home. “This loss was the hardest because I have known this family since my first time working at CCI (2010-2013), and it was my first patient to die from COVID-19,” said Dr. Clark.

This loss was the hardest because I have known this family since my first time working at CCI (2010-2013), and it was my first patient to die from COVID-19.

Dr. Melissa Clark

But there have also been times to celebrate when patients came out ahead. After being hospitalized for two months due COVID-19, a patient gained control of medication regularly. The CCI care team saw this as a chance to bolster the patient’s support. They worked steadfastly align resources for the patient to receive assistance and supplies through other community programs after his release from the hospital.