We recognize how important it is as palliative care providers to treat the “Whole Person”. Attending to the physical and mental health of our patients while addressing social well-being and environmental factors requires the expertise of an interdisciplinary team, like ours at Catholic Palliative Care Services (CPCS). While our palliative lens encourages us to “see” the intersection of these elements and how they do impact quality of life, medical decision-making, and even treatment, the COVID pandemic triggered heightened needs and new challenges for patients, families, colleagues, and naturally for our staff as well. We developed an adaptable, innovative strategy to address these demands and to maintain a high performing team, while keeping safety and well-being a top priority.
CPCS serves the community and various hospitals throughout Miami-Dade and Broward County. Led by Dr. Tracy Romanello, Medical Director for Catholic Hospice and Catholic Palliative Care Services, our team comprises of highly talented professionals. Dr. Romanello is not only mindfully attentive to those we serve, but also to our dedicated staff of individuals providing care – TEAM US!
Having had a few months to embrace the drastic effects of the pandemic, Dr. Romanello challenged her team to reflect on their wellness, and how COVID has changed thinking and practices. What were some of the challenges that our professionals faced in delivering high quality service, while likewise juggling professional and personal change? This reflective activity allowed our employees to share insightful views … Let us look.
One of our ARNPs, Meryhelen Viloria, affirms that the work and value of palliative care providers continues in the midst of COVID-19. Meryhelen says, “Palliative medicine is integrating all of my knowledge and acquired skills and combining them with compassion and empathy to prioritize the patient’s wishes. I see this discipline treating the patient as a whole, taking into consideration all aspects of their physical, social, spiritual and emotional needs. This requires me to step into a territory that allows me to get to know patients and families in a more personal manner and to help patients become more aware of what quality of life means to them.”
Yusneisy Caraballoso, ARNP, also expresses her views, “Being a palliative care provider has always been one of the most fulfilling experiences that I’ve had in my years of professional experience. Today, taking a moment to think back; stressful, painful and sad moments come to mind. Practicing palliative care for the last five to six months has not been easy for me. However, in the midst of so much suffering, uncertainty and even despair at times; practicing palliative medicine has been both rewarding and surprising. Through my role, I‘ve had the incredible opportunity to serve, help, counsel, and support patients and families, while without knowing it, they were also doing the same for me.”
Our palliative care Social Workers, Diane Garland and Marcia Socorro, and Chaplain Christopher Curtis all reflected that their service to their patients and families provided a humbling experience.
Marcia articulates, “For many patients, this time has meant social isolation from not seeing their loved ones causing emotional pain. Becoming a conduit for communication between the patient and their family has been very rewarding. The action of easing the pain of isolation brought both the patient and their loved one comfort.”
Diane highlights, “My work as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker counseling people with serious illness and their families for many years has long given me feelings of purpose and gratitude. Especially during this pandemic as well as racial and cultural crises, my work with people from many walks of life has heightened my humility.”
Christopher recounts meaningful connections between patients and families. He shares, “With COVID-19 and the ever-evolving response to treating and safeguarding our patients, families, and staff, the approach to serving others has also evolved. My role has ranged from stepping in to get a patient a blanket or an extra cup of ice to facilitating video calls or being a courier of supplies from family to patient. COVID-19 has been a great reminder that serving others and providing them peace and comfort in this traumatic situation requires stopping to hear what the patient and family are expressing that they need, and then stepping in to serve them in that need.”
Dr. Romanello affirmed that teamwork drives us to be resilient and to excel. She imparts, “To say these are unprecedented and unusual times is an understatement! This pandemic has changed me, but also occurring simultaneously so has the social awareness and reckoning for racial injustices and healthcare inequities brought to a national platform. Amid stress, anxiety, despair, and for some even hopelessness, palliative services have represented a beacon of light. The team of colleagues I work alongside inspires me through their sincerity, self-sacrifice, and ‘never-give-up’ assertiveness. We’ll continue to pour ourselves wholeheartedly into the work and the care we provide, and we will get through these difficult times together.”
