What have you seen or learned during the pandemic that will stay with you?

Clinicians and scientists from Brigham and Women’s Hospital reflect on unforgettable moments and lessons learned from confronting COVID-19.

How necessary it is to work within a team that is multidisciplinary, diverse, community-engaged, and supported by leadership. If we hope to be effective at addressing inequities, we have to continue to center equity for our patients and the communities we serve in all we do.

Cheryl Clark, MD, ScD, hospitalist and researcher; Equity, Diversity, and Community Health Response Team, Incident Command


Coping with severe anxiety, depression, psychosis, and myriad other psychiatric needs can be more challenging than ever now. Our psychiatric nursing staff continue to share the most compassionate care with all who are inpatient during this time.

Chris AhnAllen, PhD, director of inpatient psychology, Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital


Despite the intensity, strain, and stress of the COVID-19 pandemic, our faculty, fellows, and house staff doubled down and displayed tremendous teamwork, enthusiasm, and dedication.

Samuel Z. Goldhaber, MD, associate chief and clinical director, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine


It’s amazing how much you can accomplish in a parking lot! We tested hundreds of people and gave people food, masks, and hand sanitizer. Patients were so appreciative. I was proud to be a part of the community testing team.

Cori Kostick, PA-C, physician assistant, Primary Care


The dedication, selflessness, camaraderie, and shared sense of purpose I witnessed from the Incident Command team and the many other people involved in the hospital’s response.

Chanu Rhee, MD, MPH, infectious disease specialist and associate hospital epidemiologist


The urgency of COVID-19 pushed our research community to discover new, faster, and more collaborative ways to conduct research without sacrificing patient or staff safety. I think this experience will forever improve the ways we do research.”

Paul Anderson, MD, PhD, senior vice president of research and education and chief academic officer


A patient told me he didn’t think anyone would care about helping people in his community. He thanked me for caring and for being there. He was emotional when he spoke to me and prayed for us all. I will never forget him.

Natasha Amaro, CST, surgical technologist, Endoscopy, Brigham and Women’s Health Care Center at Chestnut Hill


In this unsettling time, I have the absolute best co-workers to always lean on. I couldn’t do this without them. It’s a great feeling when co-workers become family.

Kaleigh McRoberts, BSN, RN, staff nurse in the COVID-19 Special Pathogen Unit

 

Illustrations by Michael Hoeweler