Lewis

COVID HERO

Andres Martin, MD-Inpatient Child Psychiatric Medical Director

The pandemic has forced me to become something of a "war doctor". It has led to running a very different inpatient unit, under completely different “rules of engagement". No visitors, no groups, no families, no touch. Most of the input from families and collaborators is coming from outside, through Zoom. But as I write this, I'm no longer in the inpatient unit itself. I have come to the other side of its locked doors, taken off my protective gear, but my dear colleagues in the are still there doing what they do so well. And I sit in awe at the selflessness, at the wonderfulness of our team. I asked a nurse earlier today, during a candid discussion, whether she was afraid. I knew of her pre-existing medical condition, that she is at higher risk, and I asked her whether she was aware, which she was, very much aware. I asked whether she had spoken to her physician or healthcare provider about this, which she had. A very sophisticated and knowledgeable nurse who had considered the risks carefully she let me know how "I am here. This is my work. This is what I do. I will take extra and additional precautions and do what I do, but I need to be here for the kids. It is a privilege and my life’s calling to serve." I sit in awe. I remain in awe over what everybody is doing this day, and every day during the pandemic. I have fallen yet again back in love with medicine, with child psychiatry and the wonderful, wonderful people who I get to work with me. I trust that everybody will remain safe and continue to be safe. I know we will emerge stronger. Good will emerge from these dark days: after rain, sunshine.