Page 68 - Southern Oregon Magazine Winter 2021

neck of the woods | theatre
f ea tu r e | he r os

eople sewing masks to help contain the spread of COVID-19 we still don’t know what tomorrow or next week or next month or
might also craft a generous supply of capes, destined for our the next six months will bring.” Despite a level of anxiety, the teams—
heroes in this unparalleled year. In reality, the heroes in our nurses, doctors, support staff—constantly make sustainable decisions
Pregion wear masks, PPE (personal protective equipment), hard about an uncertain future. Making those decisions is daunting when sci-
hats, and fireproof suits. When they took their oaths to preserve and entists continually discover new aspects of the disease, and the caseload
protect, medical personnel didn’t likely anticipate a pandemic, nor did seems unending.
firefighters think they would ever battle an urban wildfire in Southern
Oregon. “Health care has never been without risk, but right now that risk feels
much more real. Your boundaries are tested,” says Amalia, adding that
Many don’t want to be called heroes; they say they’re just doing their those involved are dedicated and display a remarkable level of care for
jobs. Their perseverance and achievements in the face of enormous each patient, each team member. With limited or no visitors allowed,
challenges, however, qualify them. They displayed courage, doing what nurses have assumed the palliative care. Such nurturing is in their nature
needs to be done in the face of fear, uncertainty, and anxiety. The fol- and part of their training, although they are frustrated they can’t offer
lowing stories are but a small representation of the many thousands that more time and comfort due to their packed schedules.
could be told. In the telling of the few, we honor all.
One of the hardest aspects of COVID-19 for medical personnel is the
inability to leave it at work. “Our doctors and nurses struggle. They’re
tired and there’s no disconnect when they leave work. It’s in the com-
COVID-19 AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS munity and at home. They worry about each other.” As with all of us,
Change and adaptation are part of daily life in a hospital. Still, a pan- they cannot enjoy group gatherings and there are no hugs. Zoom meet-
demic adds unfathomable layers. Amalia Kieley, Director of Nursing at ings have replaced in-person meetings. They’ve had to find new ways to
Asante Ashland Community Hospital, says everyone in the system has encourage and strategize, new means of reprieve.
had to navigate complex and often fast-moving changes in response to
equipment, supply needs, work flows, staffing, and leadership structure. “I am humbled to work alongside each person I work with,” Amalia says.
Initially it seemed tumultuous, the traveling of an unknown road with “Despite challenging shifts, they come back. They keep coming back
an unclear map, but they have now found their rhythm. “That being said, every day, every shift.”

66 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | winter 2021