PSU Rugby Essential Employees & Fundraisers
Amy Manidis ’05 is a registered nurse on loan from her hospital in San Francisco. She has been working at NY Presbyterian Queens. “The last few weeks have probably been the hardest I’ve ever worked and some days it doesn’t feel like enough.” Amy’s dad is also recovering from COVID-19. This past week, Amy’s teammates sponsored lunch for her unit. From Amy Manidis and on behalf of the UCSF \nurses working in NYC: “THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts for the night shift food delivery and donation to the patient fund! Our work would not be possible without the love and support of our Lion Family!"
Tess Fuery ‘18 is a registered nurse working in a COVID-19 ICU at Morristown Medical Center in NJ. Her mom an avid PSU Rugby supporter, KJ Feury, is a Nurse Practitioner working at the Morris Country, NJ Drive-Through COVID-19 Testing Site. Check out the story about them here by clicking HERE.
Lauren Rosso Malacarne ’09 is a physical therapist in Pittsburgh, and part of her role is screening patients at the Critical Illness Recovery Center. People who survive complicated ICU stays and prolonged hospitalizations often suffer from deficits with physical function, cognition, and their mental health. It is referred to as "post-intensive care syndrome" or PICS. There are many patients who will come out on the other end having survived COVID-19, who must deal with these complications. UPMC is prepared for an increase in need for our services. If you or anyone you know is dealing with the effects of complex medical care and hospital stays for any reason (not just COVID-19), please reach out to Lauren privately (rosso.lauren@gmail.com) . She will be happy to help guide you to some of the best resources available if she can't help personally.
Stephanie Mellott Moczydlowski ‘12 is an ICU nurse at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, PA. She works in both the neuro ICU and the medical ICU. About two months ago, the medical ICU transitioned to a full negative pressure unit and has become the hospital’s COVID-19 ICU. She volunteered to work there from the beginning and has spent every shift since caring for this patient population.
Jenna Lieberman ’09 – From Jenna – “Many in my immediate family are essential workers, so they are more “on the front lines” than me and I kinda feel guilty that I can’t do more. Right now, I’m a researcher at the NIH in Bethesda. Since we are a molecular immunogenetics group (totally sounds made up), I was able to volunteer to change my focus to SARS-CoV-2 research. I just started back at work this week with the afternoon/night shift, so I haven’t gotten very far yet, but my coworker, Jianliang, is a brilliant scientist who has been working incredibly hard and super long hours in the lab on this, by himself (social distancing). So out of everyone I know, I’ want to give kudos to him!”
Jess Gehringer Workman ’01- The company that Jess works for switched from making candles to face shields to donate. They have been donating in central OH and around southern NH. If anyone in those areas is in need, you can check out Alene Candles Facebook page (click here).
Jay Mathias ‘14 started a GoFundMe (click here) because he was disheartened by the stories of frontline medical workers having to fight this pandemic without the personal protective equipment (PPE) they need and deserve. Your donation will support MedShare’s coronavirus response campaign. Since the World Health Organization declared coronavirus a global health emergency, MedShare has donated more than $1.3 million worth of aid, including more than 2.8 million masks and nearly 200,000 isolation gowns. No donation is too small!!
Nichole F. Lopes BS'07 & MBA/ME'09 is deemed essential personel for national security. She is the owner of Shieldmaiden LLC, a government contractor, and is currently hiring people with active TS/SCI - especially programmers! Contact her at nfl107@gmail.com for more details.
