Alumni on the Front Lines

FRONT

Faith (Slaton) Byland ‘10 Staff Pharmacist at the Mount Sinai Hospital

What have you found to be the most challenging part of dealing with the pandemic on the front lines?

on the

LINES

When the coronavirus had first hit NYC, a vast majority of our patients were mild cases and simply would receive oxygen in the emergency department and would be discharged.

As time progressed with this pandemic, patients were quickly becoming sicker and critical-often requiring intubation and a plethora of medications to keep them in a pandemic, I have

stable.

One of the biggest challenges has been trying to keep up with the increased workload as more and more patients have been admitted. Our hospital’s policies and procedures even multiple times a day so it has been crucial to ensure patients are receiving the most appropriate medications and care possible as more and more

data and information is known about COVID-19.

Since I have never worked are constantly changing

gained so much experience and knowledge on the importance of adaptability and resilience.

What have you found to be the most rewarding?

I feel as though it has and always will be a privilege and honor to work in NYC at any time but especially at such a trying time like now. I became a pharmacist because I wanted to help people. I have a responsibility to my patients to ensure they are receiving the most appropriate, best care possible especially at such a traumatic time for them.

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a pharmacist during this pandemic has been seeing the progression of patients as they fight to beat the coronavirus and become stable and healthy enough to be discharged from the hospital.

I feel as

though this pandemic has really put into perspective how much I cherish the little things in life.

Faith (Slaton) Byland ‘10

I also think it has been incredible the amount of teamwork that I have experienced both at Mount Sinai Hospital as well as in the community- it is just the most amazing thing to see everyone trying to be as positive as possible in such a trying time. Working in NYC during this pandemic has been a very rewarding and humbling experience.

What are you looking forward to most in the future when things go back to “normal” or whatever that new normal looks like?

When things start to get back to normal, I am looking forward to enjoying the little things such as going out to eat with friends, enjoying Broadway shows, traveling back to Evansville to visit my family and being able to venture out of our apartment without having to wear face masks. I feel as though this pandemic has really put into perspective how much I cherish the little things in life. Mackenzie Riggs ‘07 Nurse Practitioner at a hospital in Manhattan

The most challenging part of dealing with the pandemic on the front lines has been witnessing the suffering of families. Though they were necessary to keep the public safe, the strict hospital visitor restrictions intensified the confusion and stress of having critically-ill loved ones. Some of my patients, unfortunately, died alone, and that will stay with their family members and me forever.

Caring for COVID-19 patients has also been challenging because it is such a new and complex disease. Every week, treatment recommendations have been changing, so we’ve truly been learning on the fly.

It was rewarding to see New York City come together in support of the healthcare workers. I received so many heartfelt “thank you”s from strangers, donated lunches from local businesses, and support from the community. The cashier at my favorite wine store even gave me a free bottle because she remembered that I was a nurse practitioner. It was a small gesture but it meant so much!

When things go back to “normal,” I’m most looking forward to being able to visit my family in Evansville! Besides that, I can’t wait for brunch and yoga classes at my favorite studio.

interviews compiled by Mrs. Mallory (Goebel) Hertel ‘07 31