ICU COVID positive patients are not allowed visitors; they are behind closed glass doors, and if awake/oriented, watching people walk past their rooms 24/7. It is loud with the continuous humming of HEPA filters, making communication even more difficult. When staff do enter rooms, they are in full PPE, which can be frightening to patients.

In mid-July, a young Filipino COVID-positive patient who was non-English speaking was admitted to MICU A. She was very anxious. She was on isolation precautions due to COVID, without visitors, and didn't understand English, causing more distress. Jaymark was working on MICU B with his own two critically ill patients. Jaymark, who is also Filipino, heard about the patient and walked to MICU A to see how he could help. He dressed in full PPE, found a chair, went into the patient's room, sat with her, held her hand, spoke with her, wiped her forehead, and consoled her. He was compassionate, caring, and went out of his way to comfort a patient in need who wasn't even assigned to him. He spent over an hour with her (in full PPE).

In the days following, Jaymark continued to check on this patient, although he was assigned to patients on MICU B. I want to add that Jaymark is routinely recognized by staff and patients for his excellent care, compassion, and caring nature. Jaymark consistently goes above and beyond. When MICU is hybrid, he volunteers to work on the COVID side in contrast to many who understandably want time away from this patient population. He is calming to anxious and agitated patients and practices enormous patience with them. His ability to remain calm and patient is uncanny.