Mohini Chand, RN, has been fighting the outbreak since its arrival in late January at the Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center. Santa Clara County is one of the hardest hit areas in the Bay Area.
Although Chand understands it’s a stressful time, she wants people to know it’s going to be OK and not to feel scared.
“Patients without underlying conditions are getting better,” said Chand, who has personally treated more than 10 COVID-19 patients. “Some are going to be released from the hospital. I’m hopeful. This is a glass half full situation.”
Working in the ICU, Chand treats people who are in critical condition and whose fears are heightened. In addition to excellent medical care, she provides emotional support and eases their worries.
“I whisper in my patients’ ears, ‘I got you. I’m here for you. You are not alone,”’ she said. “Every day I encourage them and say, ‘Things are looking better, and slowly and steadily we will win this race.”’
Supporting the Families of COVID-19 Patients
Chand has been with Kaiser Permanente for 12 years. Although her unit is experiencing an unprecedented situation, she knows Kaiser Permanente has fought infectious disease for decades and is well equipped.
Informing the families of those suffering from COVID-19, a respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus, that their loved ones are in excellent hands may be more important than ever before. Per the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kaiser Permanente has strictly limited visitors at its facilities to ensure the safety of all and to limit the spread of the disease.
Because of this, Chand facilitates frequent FaceTime calls for her patients to visit with their families and assures them they are in the “best” place possible.
“I understand that it’s quite scary to have a loved one you’re not able to see,” she said. “The family needs emotional support, and we provide it any way we can.”
Dedication of the Medical Community
During the global health crisis, Kaiser Permanente nurses and physicians, and the entire medical community, have put forth incredible efforts to save lives. Chand, a single mom of 2 boys, has been working over 40 hours a week and often pulling 12- to 16-hour shifts, something she said she is happy to do.
“My passion is my job,” she said. “I love my job. It’s very rewarding for me to be at the bedside of my patients and hold their hands.”
Her words of advice for all is to remain calm, stay home, practice social distancing (at least 6 feet when possible), wash your hands, and take care of yourself, mentally and physically.
Read about Chand’s Kaiser Permanente colleague, Dr. Joseph Fuentes, an emergency department physician also caring for COVID-19 patients. Join these health care professionals and many others participating in the public health safety campaign called #stay home.
This Post Has 17 Comments
She is one of the hardest workers I have ever seen. Amazing work Mohini!
You are truly a hero. no doubt! You are an inspiration to us all.
Thank you for all you do. May God continue to bless you and protect you every day.
Mohini, you’re an amazing person! Your compassionate, caring heart represent the best of human kindness. My deepest, heartfelt gratitude for all that you do.
What a inspiring story, Mohini! I am really in tears of your dedication to help patients & their families through video to connect them. it is really hard for both of them to be alone in this time but nurse like you will sure make them feel better. Keep up the good work. You are surely in my prayers. God bless you.
Thank you for caring for our loved ones.
This is an extremely unusual, stressful, and frightening time but messages like yours help us understand the need for social distancing but also fill us with hope.
Mohini,
You are an amazing person. Thank you for going above and beyond to care for our patients.
You are a great patient advocate and your dedication and hard work shows.
Thank you, Mohini.
You are an amazing person. How fortunate Kaiser is to have you as a provider.
What a great story, to take the time out of your many tasks to whisper words of encouragement. Your patients are lucky to have someone with a heart of compassion caring for them. Your kindness come through even on your picture. Be blessed.
Thank you for the amazing work you are doing for your community, and for courageously taking on all the challenges that have been thrown your way. You are amazing and I cannot express enough that you have a great heart! Thank you for all that you are doing and stay safe. You’re awesome!!
You are the hero! We will pray for you and all our health care workers. May God help us protect us though this difficult time.
Such amazing people we have at Kaiser Permanente! Happy and honored to be among angels such as these.
Beautiful and inspiring story! Thank you, Mohini, for your dedication and commitment! May God bless you!
You are the real heroes who selflessly work day in and day out “beyond enemy lines” fighting pathogens. Your service to humankind is simply invaluable, it is because of kind and caring souls like you that the families of the patients are able to sleep at night. Thank you so much for your service.
These are the stories that the media needs to be showing right now. What a beautiful human being with a gracious soul. Thank you for all you are doing.
Amazing nurse! Bravo to you for going above and beyond with the ‘little things.’ This is why most of us became nurses to begin with. I’m so happy these patients have you during this tough time and I’m sure they’re happy as well as their families. I think that is an amazing idea to FaceTime their loved ones during this time. Thank you for all that you’re doing and keep up the great work!
What a beautiful story! Dear Mohini, what you are doing goes above and beyond. You are taking care of this patients physically, but you are also providing them with that emotional support that touches the heart, mind and spirit. In this time of need, people like you provide hope, encouragement and strength to those who are ill and their families. Keep up this work. You can do it, Mohini! You will be in my prayers to be allowed to continue this wonderful work that you are doing. You are inspiring!