3 minute read
For Such a Time as This
BY CYNDI LAMB ('74)
WE’VE HEARD THE STORIES and seen the reports. Critically ill Covid-19 patients struggling for days and weeks - alone - in their hospital room. Their only contact with loved ones is a phone call or FaceTime. At the other extreme are the parents who have literally moved into a 12x12 hospital room to quarantine with a child. For days never leaving the space for a meal, a walk or even a shower. Observing this kind of grit and devotion among her patients and their families has inspired Emily Stewart to persevere in her work as a Physician’s Assistant in the Cardiovascular Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.
After graduating from SNU (2005) and Oklahoma University’s PA program, Stewart was accepted into the critical care residency program at Hopkins - thinking she’d head back to Oklahoma when done. But 11 years later, Stewart is still at work in one of our nation’s leading hospitals in the midst of a worldwide pandemic. And more than once she’s felt she was where God would have her be “for such a time as this.”
Last March as the outbreak began, Stewart experienced a collaboration and camaraderie among her co-workers like she’d never known before. “All of us - from the most seasoned surgeon to the folks at the intake desk - united to fight the virus. We were hopeful and determined.”
Gradually over the next six months cases began to decrease and by early September there was a sense among the team that they’d beaten this thing! In November, while taking a much needed break, numbers began to rise again. Stewart cut her trip short and returned to work early. Since then, the upward trend has continued. But while numbers have gone up, spirits have declined. Because of the long hours and the intense working environment, the initial optimism of last spring has all but disappeared. Stewart finds herself tired, discouraged, tense and overwhelmed. Despite it all, she persists.
Stewart believes two things are helping her to persevere. “First, my relationship with God has sustained me. I have a safe place with him as he has both pushed me and cheered me on. God has provided the needed phone call, text, or care package - just at the right time. I have felt his guidance at work as I’ve asked for wisdom. He’s often given me the right thing to say…or not to say. I even believe he’s helped me with my facial expressions…because even when I say nothing my countenance can speak volumes.”
Emily administering care to a patient at Johns Hopkins Hospital
Secondly, Stewart gives credit to her Life Coach. This trusted companion has helped her to deal with her many emotions. Realizing God is okay with her emotions - her sorrow and her anger - has been transformative. She knew she was making headway when she allowed herself to cry on a Marco Polo (video messaging app) with her family. “They were so thankful I let them in and opened up myself to be supported.”
With the distribution of the vaccine, Stewart believes we are on the downside of this pandemic. She’s convinced that with God’s help, her friends and family, and her coach, she will be able to persevere until the end. And meanwhile…she wouldn’t say no to a few more care packages along the way!
