Yesterday, we got to hear from many of our employees who visited Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.
Our Chief Nursing Officer Christine Mahoney, nurse manager Colleen Fischer, and ICU registered nurse Diego Giraldo all served in Fajardo, Puerto Rico on trips organized by Mount Sinai. They often triaged almost 200 patients a day in a tent that served as a clinic outside a larger hospital. Their patients had limited access to water, prescriptions, electricity, and basic care.
Team One medical volunteers in Fajardo, Puerto, Rico, front row, from left: Juan Baez, RN; Melanie Pratts, RN; Christine Mahoney, MS, RN; Stacey A. Conklin, MSN, MS, RN; and Kevin Munjal, MD; back row, from left: Colleen Fischer, RN; Karendip Kaur Braich, MD; Helen Rosario, RN; Emma Kaplan-Lewis, MD; and Erin Hogan, RN.
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| Team Two preparing to leave New York for Puerto Rico, front row, from left: Tamairi Vildoso, RN; Madeline Hernandez, RN; Gail Haynes, RN; and Stephanie Ortiz, MD; back row, from left: Samantha Rose, NP; Diego Giraldo, RN; Sarah Schaefer, MD; Trina Cosme, RN; Sam Kim, MD, and Annette King, NP. | Marisol Salichs, RN and Karen James, NP, who traveled with a group organized by 1199-SEIU and NYSNA. |
1199-SEIU and NYSNA organized a trip that included nephrology nurse practitioner Karen James and ICU registered nurse Marisol Salichs. They had pop-up clinics in the mountains and made home visits to those who could not travel. They had to provide a wide range of care with very limited supplies.
Sports Medicine doctor Girardo Miranda-Comas, MD, used his experience providing care on the go with sports teams. He was born and raised in Puerto Rico and has been back to provide care in various communities and visit family many times. We also heard from Taina Rivera about her work securing food for the victims of the hurricane.
Here are some of their photos of the destruction and the environments they worked in while they were there:
There are probably many more in our community who have helped out, and I hope you will let us know about your experience. I am thankful for your kindness and bravery.
In the presentation yesterday, our colleagues mentioned that one of the greatest needs was mental and emotional support. Colleen said that often the best medicine they could offer was human connection or even a free hug. This kind of care is what makes MSBI stand out, and I couldn’t be prouder to work alongside these courageous men and women.
