As it became clear in January 2020 that the COVID-19 pandemic was spreading beyond Asia, the SSRRH team began to prepare for the likelihood we would be affected. On a Friday night in late February, clinicians in our ED saw their second patient from the same cruise ship, both of whom had symptoms worrisome for COVID. Recognizing the possibility that these patients might represent our first COVID patients, staff called Infection Preventist Cindy Ingels, who promptly went to the ED, helping nurses and physicians as they worked to safely get the patient tested, admitted, and treated.
This example from the very beginning of our experience with COVID perfectly illustrates the critical role Cindy has played in the ability of SSRRH to safely and effectively manage our response to the pandemic. From the very beginning of our preparation, Cindy proved herself to be a calm, informed, thoughtful, and unflappable leader who is recognized as the unquestioned expert on COVID by staff, physicians, and the leadership alike. She always seems to have the answers to the tsunami of questions generated by this novel viral disease. Our team counts on her to know the latest information regarding this disease, and Cindy has always delivered.
In times of great crisis, there are some who shrink from the threat. Others, like Cindy, embrace the challenge, roll up their sleeves, and get to work to solve the problem. We cannot imagine how much more difficult our management of COVID-19 would be without Cindy's expertise guiding the way. Thank you, Cindy, for your tireless efforts over these last seven months. You are truly an inspiration.