Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, the front-line staff have been acknowledged for their hard work and dedication to patient care. I also wanted to take a moment to recognize one of the strongest leaders I have had the pleasure of working with during this time: Cardinale Smith, MD, PhD, Hematology and Medical Oncology.
Dr. Smith has shown what it truly means to be a leader during a crisis. Throughout the past few months, while she may not have been feeling this way, Dr. Smith always presented as calm and collected. I have been referring to her as my “source of truth” during this time. Even if she was not delivering news we wanted to hear, we always knew it was accurate and real. Each day, she sent an email with system updates and included a quote at the end. Every day, I read her email and sometimes went straight to the quote—just to have some sense of realism as to what had happened and what was to come. We were all on edge, and continue to be, but Dr. Smith is always, and I mean always, available for questions or clarification, even questions of the smallest of nature.
I am truly grateful to be working alongside a colleague who has helped me get through the most unconventional and unexpected course of events, which has thrown our personal and working lives into a state of uncertainty and confusion. Dr. Smith, you made each day just a little easier, knowing you were there. The Oncology team is beyond lucky to have you at the helm, providing much appreciated guidance. Please take a moment for yourself to take a breath.
Submitted by: Jenny Waltzer, Senior Director, Oncology Administration, The Mount Sinai Hospital