Remembering Dr. Ioana Bica by

Miss you, Dr. Bica.

colleenmgrenier — 2021-03-16 13:26:58 UTC

When I first met Dr. Bica, I was intimidated. It’s was Dr. Bica after all! We met to review a clinical trial she had been working on. I knew nothing of clinical trials. Was faking it a bit. She would ask questions and I wouldn’t know the answers. I felt like a fool. Fast forward a few years - - what I didn’t realize then was we were learning together. Her questions were genuine. She never really focused on the contracts and finance piece; her priority was always the patient. Is what we’re doing in the best interest of the patient? First answer that question and everything will follow. When she was first diagnosed with cancer, I was amazed at how open she was to talk about it. She talked about how she felt, what she was going through, her kids. I didn’t say much - - mostly because I didn’t know what to say. I was more of a sounding board. She always saw the good in people. Trusted most people. There should be more Dr. Bica’s in this world. Miss you, Dr. Bica!

Faye Huang

2021-03-25 12:40:53 UTC

The definition of selflessness

It is hard for me to believe that it has been almost a year since your passing. I feel your absence daily through seeing our mutual patients who always tell me how sad they are that you are no longer with us and how much they miss you. I feel your absence in Hep C clinic on Thursday afternoons when I see someone else sitting at the desk you used to sit at. I feel your absence when a clinical question pops into my head that I know you would be able to answer. I feel your absence when I need to renew a license and see your name in the file listed as my former supervising physician. I miss our long Thursday afternoon after clinic “liver rounds” with Dr. Nunes and Dr. Linas where patient care would be discussed, but was also more a time we used to de-stress through humor and sometimes passionate commentary about life, our families, politics, and the sorry state of the world at large. I loved hearing you talk about your family. They were such a source of pride and joy for you. You spoke with pride and passion about their accomplishments often. I loved hearing about you talk about your crazy cats. Second to your love for family was your love for a good passionate debate about politics. Most times I would just sit and listen and nod my head bc I didn’t have the breadth of knowledge about politics that you possessed, but I knew you were right. I can only imagine the conversations we would all be having about Covid 19.
But yet in all of my sadness, you are still with me. You are still with all of us. You live within our hearts in the clinical and non clinical knowledge that you shared. You gave us all your time to teach us and to listen to us and your patients even when you probably didn’t have the time to spare. You gave everything of yourself that you could give and you did it gently and thoughtfully and devoid of ego. You will always epitomize the true definition of selflessness.

Ioana was the ultimate healer

2021-03-26 02:29:07 UTC

(Natasha Hochberg)

Ioana embodied all of the best qualities that physicians aspire to. She was so thoughtful about medicine, thinking through difficult diagnoses, making astute observations in clinic and in conference, and generally serving as a repository of knowledge in an understated way. At the same time, she was a wonderful colleague, never shying away if I asked for help thinking through what to do for a patient - even if it meant staying late in clinic to do so. What was most endearing was her selflessness toward her patients. I had the sense that she went above and beyond for them - in a way that I have rarely seen. I recall being on service at the same time as Ioana when she first developed symptoms from the tumor, and I urged her to see a neurologist. In typical Ioana fashion, she didn’t want to let down her patients or colleagues by asking for time off so waited till she was off service to seek care. Her selflessness was unparalleled. All of these qualities combined to make her the ultimate physician.

At the same time, she was such a doting mother. She’d share stories about the boys and you could feel her love for them, how much she wanted to protect them and encourage them.

One anecdote exemplifies Ioana. I went to visit her at home, brought food and things to cheer her up. I had brought along one of my kids. In spite of what she was grappling with, Ioana hunted for a toy that my son would enjoy playing with so the he wouldn’t get bored during our visit. When we left, she sent us home with the toy as a gift. This was Ioana- kind and selfless to the end.

She is missed.

Dr. Iaona Bica, a wonderful physician, colleague, and educator

k2rtbnfxn6 — 2021-03-26 20:24:49 UTC

Cannot believe you are gone

2021-04-02 10:54:53 UTC

I worked as a nurse with Dr Bica for many years.
She was selfless, caring and funny. Her patients adored her and could not understand that she was not invincible. Dr Bica was brilliant! Off the top of her head she could recite a patient’s hiv regimen, past and present.
She was a dear friend and adored her family.
One day she confided “ I should have had my babies earlier so I could see them grow.”
Miss you , love Phyllis

A stellar clinician and faithful friend

dhhamer — 2021-04-15 13:06:25 UTC

It's hard to be smart. It's harder to be kind. She did both.

2021-04-21 14:15:58 UTC

Pranay Sinha

In the small amount of time I was able to work with you. You showed me kindness and dedication for the patient goes a long way! You will be missed..

2021-04-21 17:46:20 UTC

Tamiya

I first met Ioana years ago when conducting research with the most complicated CID patients, which obviously included many of hers. I was impressed then and throughout my tie knowing her by how much she cared about her patients and how important it was to her that any research activities we did not be done just for research purposes, but to add value to people's lives. Later, in the last year of her life, Ioana and I were often the last two in the office and I would go in and just talk with her. Despite how badly she was feeling and how frightened she talked about being, she always asked about me and how I was doing. Her selflessness and thoughtfulness were a gift to us all and she is greatly missed. She was a very special person.

2021-04-21 18:49:24 UTC

(Mari-Lynn Drainoni)

Missed greatly

2021-04-22 13:47:53 UTC

I will always remember how humble and kind Ioana was. She had such a great wealth of medical knowledge; she never boasted or flaunted her superior medical intellect. Taking care of her patients now, they always remark about her compassion.
Manish Sagar

One of the warmest and kindest people ever

2021-04-22 16:14:42 UTC

I first met Ioana when I started working in the STD clinic and she was one of the first providers who I ever talked to. She had a way of always making you feel welcome and comfortable. I have never met someone who has cared so much about their patients, not just about their health, but even their day to day happiness. Ioana has forever left her mark on CID.
-Sam

I am going to miss her

2021-04-22 16:58:55 UTC

One of the kindest and most sincere souls.
<3 Jessica Stewart

Ioana was one of the most exceptional, smartest, and sweetest person I have known.

2021-04-25 17:59:07 UTC

She was never unkind, never impatient, always gentle. She was truly the epitome of the brilliant, skilled, knowledgeable and compassionate, caring physician. But she was as good a colleague and friend. When she received that awful diagnosis, her bravery was inspiring, her continued desire to care for her patients amazing. The cruelty of the diagnosis and then the pandemic limiting our ability to spend time with her and honor her in her last weeks and days was so painful. We love you Ioana and will always miss you. Tamar

One of the most compassionate and exceptional people

2021-05-04 18:49:57 UTC

Ioana embodied humanism in medicine. She was a fountain of knowledge and yet she was so humble. I always think that her patients were so lucky to have had her. I was lucky to have had her as a teacher and a colleague. She is greatly missed.
Jai Marathe

A true healer

2021-05-04 19:12:31 UTC

I will always remember Ioana for being brilliant, kind, compassionate, supportive, selfless and brave. She was a true healer.

Gone too soon

2021-05-13 20:49:38 UTC

We always say that someone has left us too soon, Ioana was taken from all of us long before any of us were ready. This is still so painful to me, to lose someone so genuine as her.
Everyone who worked with Ioana knows how brilliant, selfless and compassionate a doctor she was.
Her patients continue to speak of her and are grateful for the care they received and the connection they made on a human level.
I remember all of our Friday afternoons when you would hang out in the clinic with the nurses - catching up on notes, nursing your coffee, answering our questions and signing our last minute prescriptions :-)
I continue to remember all of our chats about politics, family and our cultures. I miss you terribly, I can only imagine how much Sorin and the boys must miss you.
I will never forget you, thank you for walking into my life!
Desiree Jones-Eaves

No one like YOU

2021-05-13 21:18:54 UTC

Sometimes I think life is not fair because someone like you should live for way longer not to say for ever. You had so much to give and you gave it all so effortlessly. During the time of your ailment, I had the opportunity to acquaint your family and I realized that God granted you two great sons and an amazing husband. Sorin is as selfless as you were and I admire the way he always cared for you. Whatever clothes, shoes, scarves you wore or the food you ate, Sorin bought it or cooked it. You deserved someone like him. You will always be in the hearts of your children, your husband and all the people's lives you touched one way or another.
With Love,
Volcie Richard

2021-05-14 12:50:27 UTC

There are few people that give of themselves completely to everyone they meet. Ioana was one of the those people. She was brilliant, curious, kind, compassionate, funny, loving and more. She cared deeply for her patients, colleagues and loved her family so much.
I remember working with her at Tufts when she was a fellow. Her appointments in the ID clinic were always very long. When she became an attending, we nurses thought now her appointments will be faster. That didn't happen. :) What we finally realized was she talking to her patients and learning about all aspects of their life. All the good parts, the bad parts, and if needed helping solve problems. Getting clothes for homeless people, helping to find a home for a very ill patient's cat and pushing to get meds, tests, or procedures if her patients needed them.. Amazing.
She was my colleague, mentor, teacher, in-house doc, and mostly importantly, my friend. I loved her and miss her everyday but I'm a better nurse and person for having had her in my life.

Betsy Adams

The most consummate clinician, teacher, and person.

2021-05-14 14:36:30 UTC

I had the pleasure of working with Ioana during my fellowship, and she was one of the most amazing teachers, both in infectious diseases and in her modeling of meaningful relationships with her patients. I continue to see her in the patients and staff whom she has forever touched with her kindness and empathy. Yet she also knew when the moment was right for humor, sometimes when you would least expect it, in the midst of a very long day on consult service or in clinic. I could also see how deeply she cared for her family - she tried to fit everything she possibly could into each day and then would run to catch the train home to be able to see her children and Sorin. If only there were more hours in the day, more years she could share with everyone. You are so missed and so fondly remembered.
-Rachel Epstein

We miss you

2021-05-14 15:43:08 UTC

Thank you for showing us how to be compassionate doctors. Thank you for your kindness. We miss you.
-Sabrina Assoumou