COVID in Alabama: For health care workers, battling coronavirus took a toll – AL.com

This is the third in a series of stories by AL.com to reflect on the 1-year mark of the COVID-19 pandemic reaching Alabama. Each day leading up to March 13 we will elevate the voices of those impacted.

The COVID-19 pandemic has tested health care workers like few others.

For the past year, Alabamas healers have faced a crucible of dying patients, long shifts, limited equipment, makeshift ICUs, and overrun vaccination sites. All of that while crowds wont wear a mask, some still calling the virus a hoax, and armchair experts convinced theyve figured out more than the entire medical scientific community.

Then, when the days dying efforts are done, many return home to children struggling with virtual school, partners who carry them through trying times and extended families they havent seen in months, always worried that they could be spreading the same virus they work so hard to fight.

I felt like at its worst it was like going into battle every day, said Dr. Elizabeth Marshall-Smith, chief operations officer of the Pinnacle Physician Group in Tuscaloosa. I could potentially get sick, I could bring it home to my family. Thats hard to deal with. I appreciate my kids and husband.

For the more than 10,000 Alabamians whove died of COVID -- and thousands of other patients who got close -- health care workers in full personal protective armor were the patients only links to the outside world, thanks to visitation restrictions.

With no visitors for COVID positive patients, patients and families put their trust in me, a complete stranger, to take care of them in the most critical time of their life, said ICU travel nurse and Fairhope native Rebekah Roe.

It takes a toll.

There have been times I have felt extreme sadness, said Kristopher Haskins, nurse manager of the COVID-19 unit at USA Health University Hospital in Mobile. I have witnessed people pass away while their families could only watch over social media platforms, health care professionals break down in tears and society lose faith in each other and their political leaders.

For their efforts, they are often hailed as heroes, but some also talked of being pulled unwillingly into the political conflicts and conspiracy theories of the day as the pandemic raged on.

A national medical emergency turned into a political stand, said Felicia Sanders, an occupational therapy worker at UAB. Wearing a mask meant this. Not wearing a mask meant this. Coronavirus doesnt have anything to do with politics and it has killed so many people.

But a lot of people didnt care because they thought it was a hoax.

Even those who werent on the front lines of COVID units felt the strain, as their everyday lives were turned upside-down just like the rest of us.

I grew overwhelmed with the blurring boundaries between work and home, feeling like a failed mother struggling to educate three children at home, building a home workout space and trying to stay COVID-free, said Dr. Leesha Ellis-Cox, a psychiatrist in Hoover.

Health workers also had to miss out on personal triumphs and tragedies, births and funerals, family reunions and holidays.

I have lost several loved ones, said Janel A. Lowman, an associate manager of community outreach at USA Health Michell Cancer Institute in Mobile. And during those times, it was especially hard for family members not being able to grieve together because of the pandemic.

Teri Killough, a 20-year veteran neonatal nurse from Odenville, had to wait outside as her daughter gave birth to her first grandchild.

I wasnt able to be in hospital with my daughter and son in law but had an awesome tailgate party in the parking lot, Killough said.

Many described feeling a sense of gratitude for the things that werent taken away.

It makes you so grateful for life, said Dr. Richard Menger, a surgeon in Mobile who deployed with the Navy Reserve to New York City in the early months of the pandemic. Its impacted my day-to-day interactions. These small problems arent real problems.

Brooke Olson, a registered nurse at USA Health Childrens & Womens Hospital in Mobile, said she felt a sense of pride in watching her coworkers rise to the occasion of the pandemic.

Of all the emotions experienced during the pandemic, most of all I feel proud, Olson said. Proud to watch my coworkers and community pull together to come up with new ideas to navigate the challenges the pandemic has brought on. Ive seen nurse leaders pray over their staff, community praying over local hospitals during lights on Mobile, as well as nurses stepping out of their comfort zones to help where needed.

And for Olson and many others, there is a sense of optimism that there are better days ahead.

I believe like a bone heals stronger than it was before it was broken, we will come through this pandemic with a new strength and resiliency, Olson said.

You can read the stories of these and other health care workers impacted by the pandemic in the posts below:

Firefighter Ben Thompson: COVID gave a better understanding of what keeps us safe

Healthcare worker Felicia Sanders: I still meet people who think (COVID)s a hoax

Nurse Brooke Olson: Well come through COVID with new strength and resiliency

Dr. Elizabeth Marshall-Smith on COVID: It was like going into battle every day

Community outreach manager Janel Lowman: COVID started an emotional rollercoaster

Dr. Amy Thompson hopeful but frustrated during COVID

Neonatal nurse, grandmother Teri Killough on COVID: I miss hugs

Dr. Leesha Ellis-Cox chooses to find the light, even in the midst of COVID

ICU travel nurse Rebeckah Roe: COVIDs lessons will change us for the better

Nurse Jill Stone: Pandemic has made me feel exhausted

Nurse manager Kristopher Haskins: COVID brought sadness, moments of complete awe

Surgeon Richard Menger: Seeing New York COVID deaths left me grateful for life

Professor Errol Crook: COVIDs unequal impacts create sense of urgency

Nurse anesthetist Katherine Thompson: COVID worrisome ... because whats next?

To see all the stories of Alabamians impacted by COVID, go here.

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COVID in Alabama: For health care workers, battling coronavirus took a toll - AL.com