Faces Behind the Mask
On March 11, 2020, Memorial confirmed its first positive case of COVID-19. "Faces Behind the Mask" chronicles the stories of the healthcare workers who have been the driving force of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Message from Kent Nicaud
President and CEO of Memorial Health System
As we mark the five-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, I want to take a moment to reflect on the extraordinary journey we’ve undertaken together.
On March 11, 2020, Memorial confirmed its first positive case of COVID-19. Since that day, our team has faced unprecedented challenges with unwavering dedication and resilience. The sacrifices each of you made—countless hours on the front lines, time spent away from loved ones, and the emotional toll endured—have not gone unnoticed. Your commitment ensured that our community received the care and support it desperately needed during those trying times. We acknowledge that the aftereffects of this pandemic are not just physical but emotional as well. Many of us continue to process the experiences we’ve been through, and it’s essential to recognize and address these feelings. Our strength lies not only in our ability to persevere but also in our willingness to support one another through ongoing healing.
Today, as we look around, we see a health system that has not only recovered but is flourishing. Our recent acquisition of Biloxi stands as a testament to our growth and commitment to enhancing healthcare across the Mississippi Gulf Coast. This expansion allows us to offer more integrated, patient-centered care, ensuring our community has access to exceptional services close to home. Reflecting on our journey, it’s evident that our sacrifices have paved the way for a stronger, more unified Memorial Health System. We have evolved, adapted, and emerged more resilient than ever.
Thank you for your unwavering dedication, compassion, and perseverance. Together, we have transformed challenges into opportunities, and as we move forward, we will continue to inspire and uplift our community.
This series takes a deep dive into the what it has taken to get us this far: the ongoing teamwork, the ever-changing logistics, the community support that helped keep spirits high, but also the trials and tribulations and the emotional toll that has been taken from those on the frontlines of this battle. This is a continuing series that will be updated throughout the month of March, so check back often as we reveal more “Faces Behind the Mask.”
Listen to the Stories of Our Heroes
“I have the greatest coworkers there are. Because in times of need, in times of stress, in times of illness, sickness whatever it is, we’ve really pulled together. That’s what makes us a family.”
Sherri
Emergency Department
“If there’s anything good that’s come out of COVID, it’s the kindness that’s been shared. We’ve definitely had a lot of community support. We have to rely on each other heavily, to make it through sometimes every hour.”
Candace
ICU
“It’s been a rough year. The nurses, the doctors, the physical therapists, housekeeping… we could’ve never done what we’ve done if it hadn’t been a team effort.”
Brandi & KD
Respiratory Therapists
“Being a COVID case manager has made me a different person, it has made me a stronger person. I’m a nurse of almost 34 years and I’ve always valued life and thought it was important, but COVID takes no prisoners.”
Pam
Case Manager
“We want we want your family member to survive. It doesn’t matter if they’re 20 or 90 years old. We have their best interest at heart.”
COVID Unit
“Patients, especially on the Covid floor, they can’t have visitors. That nurse is their link. It’s really tough sometimes because we know what’s going on and you’re just trying to put on a brave face.”
COVID Unit
“We train for things like this, but we don’t want it to ever happen, and when it does, it can take a toll – the feelings of grief, the feelings of being scared.”
Emotional & Spiritual Support Team
Memoriam to our patients, friends, and family that passed away, including our own team members.
– Keep listening to the Stories of our heroes.