Bonds of Sisterhood

Alysia Tardelli Rourke

Kappa Upsilon, Spring 1988 (Former Executive Director) COVID-19 Screener at Melrose-Wakefield Healthcare (Medford, Massachusetts) and Corporate Catering at Simple Fare (Greater Boston Area)

As the pandemic started, I was working for a local caterer (Kappa-owned). We quickly dug in and developed a network of contacts at local hospitals and coordinated feeding staff at various hospitals in the Greater Boston area. The delivered meals were often funded through the efforts of everyday people wanting to help where they could. Given our publicized efforts and our Kappa connections, we had a lot of alumnae reaching out to us to jump in and help. Meals were donated to staff in memory of loved ones, birthdays were used to draw attention to the fundraising efforts, and I often drew the great honor of delivering the meals to hospital staff and personally thanking them for their efforts.

As the pandemic waned on, I grew concerned about continuing to work full time in the corporate catering field and began to look for a job to supplement my dwindling earnings. And so began my work within the healthcare system. Since October I have worked as a COVID-19 screener for Melrose-Wakefield Healthcare. As I’ve told many friends, this job is mundane but NEVER boring. It is my role to insure that every patient, visitor, and employee who enters the facility adheres to our safety protocols. I work with a team of about 20 or so full-time and part-time folks, staffing two different hospitals 7 days a week.

This job is far more than asking someone to pull their mask up over their nose and asking them a few questions. This role has given me insight into the humanity and the inhumanity of this pandemic. For each person who stands in front of me and claims “I don’t think it is as bad as they are making it out to be” or declares that “masks don’t work,” I have seen an endless number family members come in to say a final goodbye, signed in far too many funeral directors and hospice nurses, and witnessed an endless parade of folks seeking both mental and physical health care. But, I have also been witness to the relief of a COVID patient going home, the joy of siblings meeting a new baby, and the camaraderie among staff as they work toward a common goal. My work has helped me feel as though I am doing something positive during the pandemic.

How have you felt the bonds of sisterhood during the pandemic?

"Texts, FaceTimes and Zoom calls with my favorite people!" —Arianna Lisante, Kappa Alpha Gamma

"Through virtual connection! It's difficult to not feel alone or isolated and connecting on Zoom and FaceTime with sisters has helped me feel connected, supported, and loved." —Amanda Cronin, Kappa Chi

Julia Mecalianos

Kappa Alpha Xi, Fall 2018 Nursing Assistant LiaisonCertified Nursing Assistant at Northwell Health (Port Jefferson, New York)

We were hit with our first wave of cases back in March 2020. The unit I was working on as a certified nursing assistant at the time had turned into the second ICU of the hospital. It was a stressful time for all of us due to the fact this was something new we hadn’t dealt with before. Whenever we came in we came into changing rules and policies. We soon adapted to the ever changing world we were now working in. Some days were better then others especially when we had patients who were able to finally go home or go off to rehab. It’s hard to have to watch everyone work so hard to help the patients thrive and it seems no matter what was done nothing was working.

Working in an ICU the majority of our patients were on vents and sedated. The hospital I work for is a part of Northwell Health. Due to this we were taking patients from the city to us to give relief to the health care workers out there. It is now January and we have had rising cases in our own community. This time around it is not like it is any easier but we have more knowledge. We have been working with COVID-19 for some time now. I think one of the biggest takeaways is our ability to work as such a unit throughout the hospital. Also, the technology we have nowadays to help loved ones video chat with their families members in the hospital. In our hospital we have iPads but also a device called the nucleus. The nucleus is placed in everyone's room and set up to display pictures of their loved ones and be able to call or video chat with them as well.

Managing my mental health during the start of the pandemic was tricky. I am lucky to have such a wonderful support system of friends and family. It was nice to be able to chat with my sorority family line as well especially since we all work in healthcare. I think we have to remember as a whole to take things day by day and keep pushing through.

"This last year has been hard, on everybody! I had a baby in October who is still in the NICU and I honestly don’t think I would have been able to make it through without these ladies, I’m old and joined almost ten years ago and these girls have been such a constant in my life. It may sound corny but you truly find your people in this sorority and I would be lost without mine." —Tessa Poirier, Kappa Upsilon

Kaitlyn Day

Kappa Lambda, Spring 2012 Certified Medical Assistant (AAMA) at Sacopee Valley Heath Center (Porter, Maine)

Working in healthcare as a medical assistant during a global pandemic is something I would have never even imagined would happen. When I was reading about historic pandemics in school, I didn’t really think twice about how it could affect me and that it’s history and it helped structure medicine for what it is today. You would never imagine that this is what you, yourself, would actually go through.

I currently work with the busiest primary care provider in our community health center, which is located in a small town in rural Maine. My provider team sees all age groups but primarily geriatrics (who are one of the most at risk populations during this pandemic). My provider and I come in every morning (5 days a week), gear up in our mask, face shield with goggles, gloves, and try our hardest to have a positive attitude to give our patients the best experiences, despite all of the current challenges presented by COVID-19. We still have to put on a smile and see our average of 18-20 patients per day, and be strong for them while doing our best to keep them safe from this potentially life threatening illness. We make sure their health needs are taken care of, while at the same time trying to protect our own as well as our family’s. Trying to juggle this, at the same time, trying to train new employees, develop better workflows and stay on top of new policies that can change almost daily, is definitely challenging. However, at the end of the day, I come home to my family, my handsome two year old son, and I remember why I do what I do every day.

As much as an inconvenience, as frightening as COVID is, I also remember that I do this to help others. Helping others is my passion, and I excel at it. No matter what else is going on around me, at the end of the day, I can remember that I helped someone today, and that’s what matters to me. It brings me back to my active days being part of Kappa Lambda and remembering one of the main reasons I joined in the first place; to help others. It also taught me that even if it’s a difficult situation; work together and you will get through it. So remember, always be there for each other, help others, and be the best you can be! You will accomplish anything you put your mind to.

"During all of these hard times, my sisters have constantly been there for me. I appreciate them more than they know. I’m so happy to have them through all of my hardships this last year." —Kristen Ranieri, Kappa Alpha Gamma

"I’ve felt the bonds of sisterhood from those who stuck by me when I’ve been at my lowest. Being so isolated during the last year has been something that was very difficult for me to process but my sisters were the ones who kept me afloat so I could get to where I am today. Love all of you more than you’ll ever know." —Amber Osborn, Kappa Alpha Iota