West 2 is a role model of collaboration and teamwork that makes a difference every day for our patients, families, employees, and the community. West 2 is a unique unit in the sense that it opened as a new unit in the middle of wave 1 and wave 2 of covid, and a whole complement of staff had to be hired for the floor. This included some veteran Memorial staff as well as many staff from outside the organization.

For the most part, the team was coming together and getting to know each other for the first time while caring for patients. A few months in, West 2 became a full covid unit and the team just rode the wave and did what needed to be done. Staff worked as a team on each shift in order to make sure patients were well taken care of and that other staff was not overwhelmed. Staff oftentimes would look out for each other, even outside of work, providing support and connection during a time when stress and emotions were high.

Even during the current wave, staff has come together; there have been many days where shifts run short due to people being out sick. Instead of complaining about it, the staff has looked at what needs to be done, and in working together, have taken care of the patients, the unit, and each other. The West 2 staff are truly like a family in how they care for each other.