THE WORK WE DO THE RESPIRATORY THERAPISTS AT NY-PRESBYTERIAN’S MORGAN STANLEY CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL As the COVID-19 crisis engulfed New York City, the relentless whine of sirens drowned out the lockdowninduced silence on the city’s streets. New Yorkers faced staggering death tolls and renewed pressure on longexisting disparities. In every setting, healthcare workers continued to show up and care for the sick and suffering. As the coronavirus cruelly robbed tens of thousands of their breath, respiratory therapists (RTs) played a central role in helping patients recover, easing suffering, and saving lives. 1199SEIU represents some 140 respiratory therapists at NY-Presbyterian Medical Center and its associated Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital (CHONY). CHONY RTs usually care for the city’s youngest patients, but as the pandemic bore down on NYC, they found themselves on the front line of one of New York’s biggest hospitals. And working near-miracles to restore life-giving breath to thousands of COVID-19 victims.
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May-June 2020
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2. RTs Reina Molina and Giovanni Apollon. Molina has worked at Presby’s Children’s Hospital for five years. “I found that coming into work made it easier to deal with what was happening. So many of us suffered personal losses, it was helpful having that camaraderie, and knowing that under the worst circumstances, we have each other.” Molina and a coworker helped make colorful masks for the whole department.
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