Global Education Office

Andre Aboite

This is a letter to the Manager of Utilization, Andree Aboite, and VCU Health staff. I know everyone has been working tirelessly and I hope this letter brings humor, appreciation and love to you and your staff. As always, we can count on hospital staff to protect the community and well-being of patients. Our safety is guaranteed with your help and I admire your dedication toward patient care. COVID-19 has brought many challenges in the healthcare community. As an aspiring healthcare provider, I wish I could contribute more. I am thankful for the security measures VCU Health has taken in order to protect patients coming into the hospital, while simultaneously accommodating those already admitted.

Mom, you are a brilliantly skilled nurse, intelligent manager and determined worker. I see you work as though you are in the office, saving lives and handling business at the same time! You are an inspiration to me and I know your staff loves and supports you as much as I do. One day, I will be on the frontline managing a hospital of my own and making a meaningful mark on the community like you have made on me.

Thank you and VCU Health for consistently providing care and safety to us and I hope I will be able to work with you all someday! Love you Mom!

Astha Banjara

Dear Mom,

As one of the nurse’s aides in the facility where there have been many cases of the virus, you continue to work and help your patients to the best of your ability. You are an inspiration to all because you have stuck by your patients even though others have quit. I know it is difficult for you right now because you have taken safety precautions by sleeping in a separate room and staying away from the family as much as possible. All of this is worth it because you are not only helping people but also continuing to inspire me and those around you. You are why I too would like to be in the healthcare field in the future. Thank you for everything that you do. You are truly a Nepali queen.

Noelani Christy

If any silver lining to the pandemic can be found, it is the bravery, compassion, and heroism of our healthcare professionals. Many moving parts across the healthcare system have kicked into overdrive and at the wheel are our doctors, nurses and administrative staff. Medical students are on the fast track to graduate and provide any assistance at local hospitals. For the first time in my lifetime, those who save lives behind medical scrubs and ER desks are being truly cherished and appreciated, because right now, they form the wall between the virus and humanity. Through late nights and no sleep, doctors, nurses, and emergency medical professionals are working to save all of us. The gratitude we all feel for these courageous and kindhearted individuals can’t truly be expressed through words, but through actions. I hope everyone reading this can pick up the phone and call a healthcare professional they know personally. Maybe they won’t pick up, after all they are saving lives. Just know that friends, family, the world - we all say thank you.

Alexus Dixon

Dear Doctor Dixon,

I can’t thank you enough for your bravery not only as a doctor but also as a mother. This has been a very demanding time for the world and our family, but because of your efforts along with other outstanding physicians, nurses, and other hospital personnel, the highest level of care is still being provided.

At hospitals around the world, healthcare providers, including yourself, are running out of personal protective equipment, all while caring for very vulnerable individuals for 12-13 hour shifts a day. Many people fail to realize that you are not only exposing yourself to COVID-19 but other communicable diseases as well. Despite the many obstacles, you continue to work as a dedicated team to protect the safety of the public.

As cases of COVID-19 spread throughout the United States, you continue to face life-threatening challenges working on the frontlines of the pandemic. You are aware of the risk you are taking every shift at the hospital, as well as the risk of exposing your family but you respond with courage, kindness, and competent work. You’re an inspiration. Thank you again for all that you continue to do.

With endless gratitude, your daughter

Imogen Field

Dear healthcare professionals,

We want to thank you - it’s really as simple as that. Thank you for standing on the front lines, for protecting and caring for us all the while putting your lives at risk. I doubt any of you thought a pandemic such as this would occur when you were practicing medicine or even in your lifetime. Medical education may prepare one in theory for such an outbreak, but this is not a hypothetical situation, this is the real deal. Books and lectures cannot have prepared you for the fear, loss, uncertainty, or panic experienced by the world right now. Yet you all bravely continue to care for, treat, and support us. Most of us will never know you or the families you leave behind every day to battle this virus but we are so grateful. Without you being the valiant caretakers and researchers, we would have no chance of overcoming this pandemic. Though we cannot be with you physically, know that we are there in spirit and we are cheering you on. We might not know how or when this will end, but we will continue to trust, support, and admire you until this ends and continue to do so long after.

Aleksandra Kostova

I would like to acknowledge the hard work that healthcare professionals have put in during these tough times of COVID-19. The world has paused for everyone except essential employees. I cannot imagine it being physically or emotionally easy. My family and I are appreciative of being able to have such caring hands taking care of the world every day. While I am sure you all are tired, your passion is what drives hospitals to keep pushing through. We are all cheering for you! If you work in healthcare or are an essential employee, please realize how many smiles you put on everyone’s faces. We would not be nearly as healthy or happy without a dedicated staff of doctors, nurses, and all other essential employees. One day, I hope each essential employee is acknowledged and known for their work during the global pandemic. Your story deserves to to be known and carried on for your sacrifice.

Iman Mekonen

We often take healthcare professionals for granted and overlook the importance of their jobs in our society. While many are stuck at home during a time of national crisis, they are the ones stepping out and battling the coronavirus. They are people like us, with families and friends that they care about. Nonetheless, they are exposing themselves and their families each time they step into their workplaces out of their selfless desire to help and serve their communities. Because of this, I’m so grateful for all of the healthcare professionals all over the world. I know several personally, as well as some friends who are studying to become nurses and doctors. I commend them for their bravery, but especially during a time like this. To healthcare workers all over the world: I appreciate what you do so much and I am forever indebted to you. Thank you for the constant bravery you exhibit to save our lives.

Gabriel Molina

Dear Dr. Tirado,

During this time of uncertainty, it’s essential that we thank our healthcare professionals. Although some medical professionals are in quarantine, it’s incredible to know they are still providing consultation and aid through the advancements of technology. Being able to get medical advice from your healthcare provider via video conferencing makes it better for patients. I want to thank you especially because you have been friends with my parents and are my godmother who has always watched over me when I needed help. Although it may be difficult to balance your professional life with your family life at the moment, I hope you can continue to persevere. Your hardwork will eventually pay off at the end. I wish happiness and good health for you and the rest of your family. I will always be thinking about you.

Rusha Patel

I know my thank you does not suffice the countless hours that healthcare professionals are working nor does it help reduce the risk they are taking but still - thank you. All my mentors, surprisingly, have specialized in geriatrics or related specialties. I have always seen true compassion in their eyes and their work when they take care of their patients, especially those who recruit and treat during home visits. During these times, I have only seen their empathic and hardworking nature increase. I cannot be more grateful that these professionals are taking care of those most vulnerable to COVID-19. We acknowledge that you too may be scared because of the endless challenges that COVID-19 is creating for you and those you support. However, you still are out there fighting against it and fighting tirelessly. This makes me nervous for the future, but to know that I have role models like you out there gives me hope. You are all heroes to me, my peers, your families, your friends, and everyone around the globe.

Mariah Paulk

I am writing this to simply say “Thank You”. Thank you for all that you are currently doing and will do concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. I know it is a trying time for everyone right now, but I would like to encourage you and let you know that I am praying for you and your family during this uncertain and difficult time. I know how important your services are at this time and what sacrifices you make in order to help those in need. It cannot be an easy task to self-isolate from family, to not hold your children, to not embrace your spouses or others, but your selfless acts are saving lives. Thank you for being a family member to someone who may not have anyone or for the person whose loved ones are not permitted to see them at this time. Just remember, when your spirits get low or the days are long and overwhelming, know that someone is thinking about you and is praying for your well-being. Be strong and we will get through this together.

Esther Pinkston

Dear healthcare professional,

I want to start off by saying how grateful we all are to have people like you working the frontline during these times, which can be very scary and stressful. Not knowing what might happen to you, yet still putting others’ lives before your own is amazing. Your selfless courage is incredible and we cannot thank you enough for it. As someone who is interested in pursuing a career in the medical field, I look up to you. Not only do you serve as an inspiration to future students, but as an inspiration to our community as a whole. You are true heroes and your efforts will never be forgotten. More so, I hope you are able to stay safe and healthy. While taking care of patients, please make sure to take care of yourself as well. Once again, thank you for everything you do.

Atiya Qillawala

To all of the doctors, nurses, and first responders risking their lives everyday for the betterment of humanity, I thank you. I know that it must be difficult working long hours fighting a war with an enemy that we have little information on. Thank you for your bravery and hard work during this tough time. I thank all of the researchers working hard in the labs trying to find a cure or vaccine to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. I would like to personally thank all of the doctors in my family that are working hard every day, caring for their patients and trying to help them in every way that they can. I cannot even imagine how much courage it might take to leave your families everyday to help care for others, so for that I thank you. I know that I am not alone in saying that I hope this crisis ends soon but, in the meantime, thank you for all that you are doing!

Mihariniaina Rahonintsoa

I am writing this letter to all healthcare professionals during this unpredictable time to express from the bottom of my heart that I am forever thankful for all the bravery and sacrifice. There are workers during this time that have radiated light through their roles to show the world that we are all in this together. I admire the hard work and energy that have gone into the care and well-being of each patient during this time. In this moment in time, I have been even more inspired to further pursue a career in healthcare. This pandemic will remind me that we can make it through anything because we all embody so much hope. During this time, we are all working together to keep everyone safe. I feel blessed to know that we have found support within one another. Thank you all for leading the way and being amazing role models that I look up to. The community thanks you all.

Tiana Rego

Dear healthcare professionals around the globe,

We want to express our deepest gratitude for your unwavering commitment to protecting our communities. We understand that this is a tough time for everyone and appreciate you all putting your lives at risk in order to protect us and save those affected by the virus. We thank you for sacrificing time with your families to fight for others. We thank you for having the courage to never give up in the face of adversity. We need you now more than ever before and we hope that one day soon we will be able to move forward and become stronger from this. Until then, we will stay home for you, so you can continue fighting for us. Please know that we are here rooting for you every step of the way. We wish that we could put into words just how truly grateful we are for the work you do every day. Thank you.

Emily Torres

Thank you so much for working tirelessly to keep the community safe. As a volunteer at VCU Medical Center, I have been able to witness firsthand the hard work a healthcare team exudes. Your dedication and efforts are not taken for granted by the VCU community. It takes a special person to take care of others and endure the hardships of a career in healthcare. I know you sacrifice a lot when it comes to your career whether it be time with family, sleep, or stress. You are at the front lines during this incredibly difficult time. So many families are grateful for your perseverance. You are truly making a difference in this world even if you feel defeated at times. The resilience and hard work you put into your career is admirable. Healthcare workers have always been superheroes in my eyes but especially in these times right now. That is why I wanted to show my gratitude. Again, thank you so much for your dedication to serving the public.