Page 47 - BusinessWest October 12, 2020

HEALTHCARE HEROES OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
Jennifer Graham says her
experiences during the pandemic,
especially her work with the
homeless, has prompted her to change her career goals; her new ambition is to become
a nurse.
Upon coming back to Western Mass. from that voyage to the Mediterranean, her job with O’Connell changed in a number of ways — everything from how care was provided in the home during a pandemic to where.
Indeed, in addition to going into the homes of the clients assigned to her, she was one of the first (and one of the few) to volunteer to provide care to the homeless at an outdoor COVID-19 triage facility established to care for potential positive cases among the homeless.
When asked why she signed on for this risky, month-long assignment in the middle of a pandemic, she replied simply, “there was an obvious need, and I just thought I could help — I thought I could do my part.”
These comments from Michael Hynek, an HR generalist at O’Connell who nominated her to be a Healthcare Hero, echo that sentiment and put her work during the pandemic in its proper perspective.
“Having an aide like her, who is willing to accept any challenge, is vital when servicing our at-risk members in the community,” he wrote. “She makes everyone feel welcome and safe when administering care. Jennifer also enjoys the opportunity to learn about healthcare in many unique settings. Working outside of a hospital or facility can be very challenging, but she has embraced every challenge that has come her way.”
COVID-19 has provided her the opportunity to learn on many levels, and about many things. And it has also given her a new
perspective on everything from the homeless population to her own career aspirations.
To tell this story properly, we need to go back to end of that spring-break cruise, which started and ended in Gotham. Suffice it to say the world, and Graham’s world, were much different places.
“
“While we were in the Bahamas, my phone was going off like crazy, and I was thinking, ‘look what we’re going home to,’” she recalled. “When we docked, New York was a complete ghost town; they took our temperatures and asked us a series of questions; if you had a fever, you had to stay on the cruise ship for two weeks. But no one had a fever.”
As for Bay Path, the campus was now closed, and it would not reopen for the balance of the spring semester. “There were no labs, no nothing; everything was remote.”
Then there was her day job, as she called it. Looking for something that would provide both
Graham
Continued on page A39
Having an aide like her, who is
willing to accept any challenge, is vital when servicing our at”-risk members in the community.
Congratulations
Jennifer!
And thank you to Jennifer and all the direct care workers at O’Connell’s who continue to work tirelessly and provide great
care for elders in our community.
413-536-1110 www.oconnellcares.com
Thank You!
Thank you to all the Healthcare Heroes and our teams at Bear Mountain Healthcare for keeping our community safe and healthy.
Bear Mountain is committed to exceeding your expectations with the highest quality Short Term Rehab and Long Term Care in a safe, clean, supportive and positive environment.
Locations
Bear Mountain at West Springfield 413-733-3151
Sixteen Acres Healthcare Center 413-796-7511
Chestnut Hill of East Longmeadow 413-525-1893
1-866-441-9266 | www.bearmountainhc.com
OCTOBER 2020 A27
2020 HEALTHCARE HEROES