#IamMGH — Meet 'Baby,' one of the first nurses redeployed to MGH's COVID-19 Assessment Centre

#IamMGH tells the story of our people. Meet Baby Leony Dela Cruz, Registered Practical Nurse (RPN). 

In her own words, Baby shares a behind-the-scenes look at two roles she’s taken on since the beginning of the pandemic, including being one of the first nurses redeployed to the COVID-19 Assessment Centre and her current post as a screener and clinician in the Coxwell lobby.

“My name is Baby Leony Dela Cruz, RPN,but everybody knows me as “Baby”.

Before COVID-19, I was a bedside nurse cruising from one unit to the other, wherever I was needed in the hospital. When coronavirus first started in China, I remember talking to my colleagues about what this would mean for us as frontline health care workers. Now it’s here and the reality has set in.

‘Sometimes I would hold their hand and tell them it was going to be okay’ When the COVID-19 Assessment Centre opened at MGH, I was one of the first staff redeployed to work there. I participated in a short and informative orientation and all of the questions I had were answered. Together as a team we developed a system that went smoothly and improved our processes as we went along. Doctors, nurses, housekeeping, information technology, registration, porters, and security – everyone on the team was really pleasant to work with.

As the days went on, I became more comfortable in my role as I gained more knowledge on how the virus behaves. My responsibility was to bring patients into their respective rooms until they were ready to be seen by the doctor for assessment and proceed with a Nasal Pharyngeal (NP) Swab when needed. Patients have different reactions after the swab, sometimes teary-eyed or sometimes a bit startled by the sensation. I would tell them it was going to be okay.

After a long day at the Assessment Centre, I would go home, get into the shower, disinfect the bathroom and isolate myself. It’s hard on your loved ones because they worry about you. But I told my husband that I felt I was in a safe environment and well protected using all of the personal protective equipment (PPE).

A new role: Screener and Clinician

After a while, I was redeployed to the main Coxwell Lobby of the hospital as a screener and clinician. My experiences here are very different. It’s challenging and at the same time very fulfilling.

It’s challenging in the sense that we have to explain our new hospital visitor policies and restrictions to people who are often very anxious, scared and tired. We ask several screening questions, ask them to put on a mask and wash their hands. It’s hard for patients and visitors to have these added measures to their visits but we know we have to do it to keep everyone safe. I always do it with a smile and in the end, I know it’s all for the best.

‘It’s fulfilling to see people come together for the same purpose – people who appreciate and acknowledge what we do’

It touches my heart seeing people – young and old – bringing in sewn masks and different kinds of PPE they can find to help our health care workers. There was one person who came in carrying a heavy box filled with isolation gowns, boxes of gloves and masks and they said ‘These, I have no use for now, I know that you need them’. 

I was teary eyed when I thanked them. It’s very fulfilling to see people come together for the same purpose – people who appreciate and acknowledge what we do, and hearing from patients and families that they understand the importance of self-isolation.

Every day, people on the frontlines risk their lives to save others. Please keep on washing your hands, practice social distancing, and if at all possible, please stay home.

Together we can, and we will win this fight against COVID-19.”