STRONGER TOGETHER

STRONGER During the pandemic, sisters Junerose Gambito (on right in photos above) and Sheikha Gambito (on left in photos above and below putting on PPE), both nurses, have supported each other while caring for their patients. TOGETHER are there for me, and that makes all the difference.

So I just can’t imagine not being able to TWO SISTERS—BOTH NURSES—SUPPORT reach out and talk to

THEIR PATIENTS, AND EACH OTHER, THROUGH THE CHALLENGES OF COVID-19. my family.”

One of the many things Junerose patients. And with visitor restrictions in better, and when their patients recover loves about her career is the opportunity place, patients were isolated from their and can go home. it offers to make a profound difference families, something that really weighed on “Those are some of the brightest in patients’ lives. “It’s not even the big both Junerose and Shae. times we’ve had amidst all this chaos,” lifesaving moments,” she says. “It’s the “Working side by side with my sister is says Junerose. “Recently, we’ve been able small moments, like washing my patients’ such a blessing,” says Junerose. “I can talk to celebrate more and more COVID-19 hair or shaving their faces. There are little to her whenever I’m having a hard day or patients going home to their families. We things you can do to improve someone’s feeling overwhelmed. She and our parents all love seeing that.”

Junerose and Shae did their best F or 33-year old Junerose Gambito and her sister, 32-year-old Sheikha (Shae) Gambito, nursing is both day—even just being in the room and having an extra conversation with to fill the void for patients not able to physically connect with loved ones by helping them a family tradition—their parents are them can make a difference.” stay in touch using one of the nurses—and a calling. Junerose began Shae echoes those sentiments. “We hospital’s iPads. Seeing each other on her career as a certified care technician were put on this earth to be nurses,” she video gives both families and patients (CCT) 13 years ago at Robert Wood says. “I feel in my heart that it’s our duty more peace of mind than simply talking Johnson University Hospital New to take care of people.” on the phone. Brunswick (RWJUH) and fell in love The Gambito sisters try to be there with her job. A year after her sister, Shae THE WORLD CHANGES for patients during the good moments and also started as a CCT at the hospital. Before the pandemic, finding extra time the bad, comforting and supporting them, Today, both certified nurses and still at to brighten patients’ days was easier. sometimes in their darkest hours. RWJUH, the sisters work side by side on After the sisters’ post-surgical floor was For both sisters, the best moments the 2-Core floor, a step-down unit for converted to a COVID-19 unit, they found are when they can show a family through open heart surgery patients. it more challenging to spend time with FaceTime that their loved one is doing