LESSONS LEARNED DURING NEW YORK’S COVID CRISIS

The UANA board requested I share my experiences at Bellevue Hospital in New York City during the COVID-19 crisis including lessons learned and suggestions to streamline response in the future. I hope this summary can answer questions and assist UANA members if we experience a similar situation.

WESTMINSTER NURSES ON THE FRONTLINES OF COVID-19

It’s your first day. You pull up to Coney Island Hospital along with 500 other nurses and see three refrigerated semi-trucks. The site seems mundane and unimportant so you let it pass. As you pull up to the front of the ER, a giant white tent contradicts the glimmering modern hospital. The bus stops and a sea of fresh-and-ready nurses deboard.

SONIA KLONOSKI, CRNA

My journey into medicine began when I read the book “Elizabeth Blackwell The First Woman Doctor” in grade school which was followed shortly by my first microscope. Although I didn’t know it at the time this would prove to be a lifelong journey with many stops along the way.

EMILY CHIPPING, CRNA

Prior to nursing, Emily studied fine art for three years.  Following a semester abroad and another at an art institute in Canada, she switched her focus to science and worked in a hospital microbiology lab and as an anesthesia tech.  She completed her BSN at the University of Utah while employed by the student internship program in the Burn Trauma ICU.

JOHN KILLPACK, CRNA, MSN

After a varied series of jobs mainly involving hairnets and plastic nametags, John realized his true calling and graduated with a BSN from Brigham Young University in 1993. He worked as a Float Pool RN at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center specializing in critical care areas.

FEATURED MEMBER: TED MORRIS, CRNA

Ted Morris is currently serving as the President-Elect for the Utah Association of Nurse Anesthetists (UANA). This is his 5th year on the board and he enjoys being involved, meeting new people, making positive change, traveling, and serving others that have a need.