Janine Pizzimenti, MSN, RN, was redeployed from the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary at Mount Sinai to Mount Sinai Beth Israel for one month beginning April 10. Her role was nursing liaison for the disaster relief groups Samaritans Purse and AMI and dozens of other Mount Sinai Health System colleagues from satellite offices throughout the city.
MSBI opened four units mid-April to meet the growing demand of COVID patients, treating more than 200 people. Coordinating this diverse group was a challenge; however each nurse had one job in mind, to provide safe care to all of their patients. Within a short time, they managed to become a cohesive team. With the support of Jeremy Habitzreuther, RN, MSBI, and Anne Marie Middleton, Director of Human Resources, NYEE, who helped coordinate all of the scheduling, it wasn’t long before they hit their stride and began building relationships. “Everyone was focused on patient care; we had the support of all departments. If we needed something, it was quickly delivered,” Janine says.
“Coordinating staffing schedules and communicating with dozens of redeployed nurses was a 24/7 feat,” says Anne Marie. “Janine and I were constantly collaborating to ensure the floors were properly staffed, and employees knew where and when they needed to be at the hospital.”
Together, the team tried to reassure patients and became a support system/extended family for patients. AMI nurses bought clothes for homeless patients before they were discharged. A patient, whose husband was also a patient and at her bedside, wanted help celebrating his birthday; the team, along with staff, sang Happy Birthday to him. And Janine launched an email campaign to friends asking they donate phone chargers for patients to keep in touch with their families. The campaign quickly yielded more than 200 chargers, to the delight of their patients.
Despite the challenges, this team’s grateful patients will long remember the courage, commitment, and team work they displayed.
Submitted by: Nancy Kelleghan, Senior Marketing Manager, NYEE