Caring for their own
Brooklyn, New York, was particularly hard hit by the pandemic. The New York State Governor quickly mandated that SUNY Downstate Medical Center become a designated coronavirus referral center, one of only three in the tristate area. All the residents, attending physicians, and nurses contributed significantly to battling COVID-19. Some residents were deployed to inpatient medicine and the emergency department, while others staffed essential consultation service or worked in collaboration with the Department of Health. Still others staffed in-person clinics for urgent patient visits in order to take the burden off emergency medicine colleagues for skin-related matters. Everyone contributed, including two resident directors of cosmetic dermatology from SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Jameson Loyal, MD, and Derek Ho, MD.
“Well into the pandemic my colleagues and I started seeing numerous health care providers
“Looking back on this experience, the three words that come to mind are courage, generosity, and gratitude,” Dr. Loyal said. “My colleagues stepped up without question to help in any way possible to fight this pathogen and care for the sick and vulnerable. Further, the numerous skincare companies donated hundreds of products with an abundance of enthusiasm. Finally, the communities my colleagues and I serve thanked us profusely for doing the job we were trained to do.”
Are you on the front lines managing COVID-19 patients? Share your story with DWW. Email dweditor@aad.org.
