I  believe the experience  transformed the system in terms of sharing information and  resources within the hospital and throughout the system. Critical Care worked closely among the different sites and ICUs and with many departments and consultants. That system of collaboration has been maintained and that’s a very important outcome.

I have the greatest respect for all members of the hospital community  who worked with courage,  devotion, and compassion." - Former MICU Director Dr. Janet Shapiro

What to say...

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How to end these thoughts of many...

Before Covid-19 came to us and after many years after.

With many Echos of Memories, I can remember how with scrubs or any identifications of proof that we worked in the hospital, people avoided being next to us with the fear of catching Covid-19. But there are so many inspiring stories and sad ones.

Finally, I wanted to say my cousin Miguel and the rest of the world who passed away of these times, will they be remembered forever.

I will not forget the many people I watched struggle to breathe, deteriorate, and die alone and isolated from their loved ones.

I will not forget my colleagues who passed away.

I will not forget that feeling of helplessness when we had no treatments and no vaccines.

I will not forget the many people who stood up and took action.

Never forget.

Sean Liu MD, PhD

Medical Director of the COVID Clinical Trials Unit

Who knew of the coming maelstrom?

Who knew we would all face our “OH MY GOD” moment(s)?

Who knew we would have a shortage of body bags from all those many that were lost to Covid?

Who knew we had to make our own body bags until the supplies were replenished

Who knew I would be asked to create “toe tags” until the supplies arrived?

Who knew that for every body bag 3 “toe tags” were required? 

Who knew I would be making hundreds of tags?

Who knew this was going to be my “OH MY GOD” moment”?

and when all seemed at its lowest

Who knew we would all become a beehive of collective unity; who knew we would work in unison to beat back the invader.  Who knew that our spirituality would blossom once again thru our collective humanity.

Who knew?

A. Manzano  May, 2021

They were in desperate need of medical staff to help triage a surge of ill Veterans and their families.

Everyone was scared and unprepared, lacking proper protective gear, and I shared that fear.

For some, it was the last chance to see their loved ones, who were being triaged in the emergency room, and many never returned. The pain in the eyes of those loved ones was heartbreaking as they turned away, returning home to await news of their family members.

None of us were ready for the challenges ahead, and the following days at the Bronx VA JJ Peters Medical Center were just as daunting.

Research labs were converted into makeshift morgues, filled with the cold storage of research reagents, as we faced the reality of so many who had been triaged to the ER the day before.

I was genuinely shocked. It was a day filled with overwhelming emotions that I held back.

This is the first time I’ve talked about this.

Mount Sinai Chief Human Resources Officer, Jane Maksoud assigned three members of the HR team to review, respond to, and direct the offers as appropriate. For that purpose, the trio met almost daily to make the most of these kind offers, and in the spirit of their remit, named themselves the “groovy gals.” Hamel Vyas of International Personnel, Mari Umpierre of Mount Sinai Calm, and Mary Vanderwoude of Corporate HR bonded as they embraced this opportunity to help our caregivers in these unique ways. Most of these offers came to fruition thanks to coordinated efforts across the Health System.

The A, B, Cs of Caring

Today, five years later Mari Umpierre is continuing the School Age Tutoring program as part a Mount Sinai Calm service. These remote one-on-one tutoring sessions are a gift to parent, student, and volunteer alike, and Mari is always in need of more volunteer tutors for our school age children. Could that be you?

The Do-Re-Mi’s of Gratitude

In case you missed it, or if you want to relive the spirit of gratitude that the local entertainment industry shared with health care workers during the pandemic, we have good news for you! Led by a stage and film actor, Jordan Dean whose life had been saved at Mount Sinai Heart just months before the pandemic, and who went on to play Prince Harry in the Lifetime movie, “Harry and Meagan: Escaping the Palace” we have a YouTube playlist you can enjoy. “Songs for Mount Sinai” is a collection of 63 videos that run from 26-seconds to over 6-minutes long.

The videos are by the famous: Audra McDonald, Michael Cerveris, Kelli O’Hara, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Megan Hilty, Mario Cantone, Melissa Joan Hart, and Victor Garber as well as other creative, generous, and caring performers. Watching these videos today, you cannot help but be moved by these messages of gratitude by classes of school children, the entire cast of the “Les Misérables” national touring group, a marching band, as well as a lone poet-philosopher or two, singers, composers, comedians, and puppets. You’ll see dancers leaping across a roof top, in a field, and on the street and watch as musicians play piano, strum guitars, and sing. Most are fun, many are funny, a few may bring a tear to your eye. All are delightful.

You may have been too preoccupied to watch them back in the dark times of Covid-19, but they are available today as the “Songs for Mount Sinai” YouTube playlist. Watch them. Enjoy them. Choose your favorites and share them with others. They are offerings worth treasuring and revisiting as we continue to heal from that time that seems like both just yesterday and a lifetime ago.

I worked the clinic alongside my colleagues.

I recollect one family--Mom, Dad, 2 schoolage children--whose cruise ship had been detained, all passengers required to disembark. Their first planned vacation as a family--the kids had been so excited.

I remember the fear in the Dad's eyes when I entered the room to collect his swab. And the sadness.

And I remember the undying valor of my colleagues. Cleaning their face masks with bleach wipes. Reusing their gowns. Unwavering in their commitment.

Now, the world has shifted. The city has life again. But I carry those memories with me—of fear, helplessness, and that ever-present question: Am I doing enough?

Looking back, I know now that I was never useless. None of us were. The roles may have looked different, but we all held up pieces of the system when it was cracking under the weight of the unknown. The things I once thought were small—coordinating, organizing, being a steady presence—they mattered. It took time to see it, to believe it. But I do now.

There are moments when that old voice creeps in, whispering I wasn’t enough. But I meet it with compassion. I remind myself of the long hours and the ways I showed up—even when I didn’t feel brave, or strong, or helpful. Support comes in all forms. And I’ve learned that sometimes, just being there is everything.

To those years, I offer both gratitude and grief. And to that past version of me—the one who walked into the hospital feeling like she didn’t matter—I say: You did. You do. You always did.