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Nursing Heroes: Celebrating the Courage and Dedication of Nurses on the Frontlines of the Pandemic

Front view nurse wearing protective wear in the hospital

During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses have been at the forefront of the battle against the virus. These healthcare professionals have been working tirelessly, often putting their own health at risk, to provide care and support to patients in need. Here are some of the nursing heroes who have made the news during the pandemic:

Amy O'Sullivan: Amy O'Sullivan is a critical care nurse who works at the Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. In March 2020, O'Sullivan was one of the first nurses to treat COVID-19 patients in the United States. She contracted the virus herself and was intubated for 32 days. Despite the odds, O'Sullivan recovered and returned to work, where she continues to care for COVID-19 patients.

Frank Gabrin: Frank Gabrin was an emergency room nurse who worked in New York City. Gabrin was an outspoken advocate for nurses and healthcare workers during the pandemic, speaking out about the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the risks that healthcare workers were facing. Tragically, Gabrin himself contracted the virus and passed away in March 2020.

Lori Marie Key: Lori Marie Key is a nurse from Michigan who has been dubbed the "Singing Nurse" for her habit of singing "Amazing Grace" during shift changes. Key's emotional performances have provided comfort and support to her fellow healthcare workers during the pandemic.

Ashley Bartholomew: Ashley Bartholomew is a nurse who works in the intensive care unit (ICU) at a hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. When Hurricane Laura hit the area in August 2020, Bartholomew stayed behind to care for her patients, even as the hospital lost power and water. Bartholomew worked tirelessly to keep her patients safe and comfortable until help arrived.

Maria Elena Bello: Maria Elena Bello is a nurse who works at the Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida. When the pandemic hit Miami in the summer of 2020, Bello worked in the hospital's COVID-19 unit, providing care and support to patients who were struggling to breathe. Bello herself contracted the virus, but she recovered and returned to work, where she continues to provide critical care to patients.

David Marsh: David Marsh is a nurse who works in the ICU at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. When the pandemic hit Iowa in the spring of 2020, Marsh volunteered to work in the COVID-19 unit, where he cared for critically ill patients. Marsh also volunteered to participate in a clinical trial for a potential COVID-19 treatment, putting himself at risk in the hopes of finding a cure for the virus.

Kimberly Ginther: Kimberly Ginther is a nurse who works at a hospital in Oregon. When wildfires devastated the state in the fall of 2020, Ginther worked to evacuate patients from the hospital to safety. Despite the chaos and danger, Ginther remained calm and focused, ensuring that her patients were safe and comfortable during the evacuation.

May Parsons: One of the most notable nurses during the pandemic is British nurse, May Parsons, who administered the world's first COVID-19 vaccine. May Parsons is a matron at the University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, and on December 8, 2020, she administered the vaccine to 90-year-old Margaret Keenan. This marked a major milestone in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and offered hope to people worldwide.

These nursing heroes, and many others like them, have been working tirelessly to provide care and support to patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. We owe them a great debt of gratitude for their valiant efforts because of their selfless dedication.

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