The COVID-19 pandemic has turned the world upside down, leaving concern and loss in its wake.
Michigan's first case of the novel coronavirus was diagnosed March 10, 2020. The disruptive, frightening, relentless, highly infectious contagious disease blind-sided the general public and much of the health care realm alike. COVID-19 is new and without a cure or vaccination at the ready; it stopped people in their tracks and sent the seemingly healthy spiraling down a tunnel of the unknown.
What started as murmurs and curiosity about an illness affecting people in other countries soon became a concern and a horrible reality in the United States, Michigan, and, all too soon, West Michigan. People who had left home for business travel or vacation returned mere days later to find things had changed in a flash. A trip to the store for basics such as toilet tissue, soap and milk turned into futile searches online, as shelves had been cleared by those who were panic-buying items to the detriment of others in the community. Hand sanitizer went from something you tossed into your tote bag—just in case—to a precious and rare commodity; if you were lucky, you scored a bottle or two online, perhaps at a premium.
The challenges in our state were immediate. Swiftly, devastation reigned. Shutdowns began to occur as apprehensions climbed, before being ordered in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus and keep people safe. "Flatten the curve," we reminded ourselves and others. "Keep your distance." We washed our hands and steered clear of others and wiped down surfaces over and over again, hoping to stave off the danger and remain safe. We stayed home.
The Mitten State—for which we use our hand as a map to show folks where we live—turned into a state of emergency. The 10th-largest state in the country by population quickly rose to third largest in terms of lives lost to COVID-19. The Metro Detroit area was hit hard. West Michigan began to see cases and more cases. The surges finally started to abate as people stayed put and took needed precautions. We listened. Still, we're not through. We're seeing new confirmed cases and related deaths. The coronavirus will continue to wreak havoc and cause loss of lives and of livelihoods. There will be irrevocable damage; we don't know the extent yet. Still, we're in this together, most of us striving to keep each other safe.
As we go to print, we have confirmed cases in 79 of our 83 counties. While myriad people self-quarantine, continue to work from home, maintain physical distance when out, and otherwise make an earnest effort to stay safe and healthy, many others don't have the luxury of staying away from the front lines or playing an important part behind the scenes, doing all they're able to help ensure the people in our community are cared for.
The West Michigan Woman team expresses our gratitude for the countless people who face this pandemic every day, through many roles and avenues. In this issue, we honor a handful of women from four of our local health care systems.
And we hope by the time you're reading this, these women and other essential workers throughout the area, throughout the state, and beyond will have had an opportunity to rest, care for themselves, and somehow spend time with their friends, families, and loved ones.
Spectrum Health
Vivian Romero, M.D.
Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist
Babies don't wait for pandemics.
Dr. Romero's workload remains as busy as ever. She and the maternal fetal medicine team continue to treat patients, monitor their health, deliver babies, perform cesarean sections and provide follow-up care after delivery.
"I couldn't be prouder of my team."
Ann Bowman, RRT
Respiratory Therapist, Cardiothoracic Intensive Care
36th year at Spectrum Health
In a pandemic caused by a respiratory illness, respiratory therapists form an especially valuable vanguard of the front line. They maintain patients on advanced life support, like mechanical ventilators. They provide treatments for people who are coughing and having trouble breathing.
"We have to keep ourselves calm and create that calm, so we can help others be calm."
Metro Health
"I want to thank every one of our medical providers for remaining at the bedside and staying focused on caring for our patients during this turbulent time," said Steve Polega, Chief Nursing Officer, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health.
"Their dedication and grace has been an inspiration to all of us. We will get through this national crisis with the help of every single person rising to the challenge in front of us."
Ashley Pattison, RN
Case Manager
5 years of service
Britini Gass, RN
Emergency Department Nurse
2 years of service
Danielle Hess, RN
ICU Nurse
5 years of service
Danielle Light, M.D.
Hospitalist
2 years of service
Holly Bishop, RN
Emergency Department Nurse
10 years of service
Joyce Schaner, RN
Case Manager
19 years of service
Melissa Routledge, RN
ICU Nurse
4 years of service
Natalie Kent, D.O.
Hospitalist
6 years of service
Natalie Parr, D.O.
Physician
7 years of service
Quinn McGill, RN
Emergency Department Nurse
5 years of service
Mercy Health
We are inspired by the hope and resilience of our patients and colleagues. It's our mission to be a compassionate and transforming healing presence within our communities, and we are honored to serve throughout this pandemic.
We pray for all of the health care workers, patients, and their families, for their health and well-being.
—Mercy Health
Lara Baatenburg, M.D.
Family Medicine
2 years of service
Daniela Pellegrini, M.D.
Infectious Disease
2.5 years of service
Elizabeth Scott, DNP
9 years of service
Cherry Health
"We are proud of all of our team members, especially those on the frontline who continue to provide access to high-quality health services for those who have little or no access to health care in the communities we serve."
—Heather Kehoe, Communications Specialist, Cherry Health, Heart of the City Health Center
Letisha Thrower, BSN, RN, CLC
Cherry Health's Maternal Infant Health Program
2.5 years of service at Cherry Health
16 years of service as a Registered Nurse
Abha G. Varma, M.D.
Internal Medicine, Heart of the City Health Center, Adult Medicine
3 years of service at Cherry Health
10 years of service at Spectrum as a Hospitalist
16 years of service as a Hospitalist
Maria Vizcarra
Patient Registration Specialist, Heart of the City Health Center, Adult Medicine
11 years of service at Cherry Health
West Michigan Woman thanks the Chief Executive Officers of these health care systems for their leadership and their service to our communities!
Tasha Blackmon
President and Chief Executive Officer, Cherry Health
Rob Casalou
President and CEO, Mercy Health and Saint Joseph Mercy Health System
Tina Freese Decker
President & CEO, Spectrum Health
Peter Y. Hahn, M.D., MBA
President & Chief Executive Officer, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
Written by Amy L Charles, Editorial Director for West Michigan Woman.
This article originally appeared in the June/July 2020 issue of West Michigan Woman.
