background exposes her to the risk of contracting diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis C that also require stringent infection control practices. Receiving education on best practices and seeing her nurse peers rally around one another also provides a comforting sense of confidence during this time, Dailey said. “When everything started to unfold, we were instructed to receive as much online training as possible to learn about what we could do in the ICU,” she said. The goal was to train us all to know the basics of the ICU so that we could be helpful. Fortunately, our ICUs never reached maximum capacity and our ICU nurses were never understaffed.”
Taking Next Steps
As numbers trended downward and various restrictions have been eased, including the opportunity to have elective surgeries, Dailey returned to her regular nursing role in the OR. However, the general cautious nature continues. “We are as careful as we can be under the circumstances,” Dailey said. “So far, our efforts are working. Our hospital requires a COVID test for every incoming patient to protect us, but there is no guarantee that a patient is COVID-negative. While the prospect of a vaccine provides hope for the end to the pandemic and a relief of tension, there is not expected to be a quick turnaround. “As we reopen businesses, schools, and restaurants this fall – which I think can be done, albeit slowly – we must continue to take precautions to keep our infection rates at a minimum,” Aquino said. “One thing we know for certain is that the effects of this virus on the body can be devastating and irreversible. We have seen new symptoms emerge over the last few months, and we have to assume anyone has it, given the possibility of asymptomatic carriers. It is better to err on the safe side until we get testing down and collect more data.” Both Aquino and Dailey agree that face coverings and social distancing are the new normal for the foreseeable future. “Everyone should get used to wearing masks, keeping social distance, and remembering to wash hands frequently,” Dailey said. “We cannot let our guard down even when positivity rates are low.” Aquino and Dailey shared their stories with Rosemont Magazine in the late summer, before positivity rates began to
1921 - 2021 Centennial Planning Kicks Off Planning for Rosemont’s 100th year is underway! The first full meeting of the Centennial Committee was held via Zoom on September 29 for members to brainstorm how to celebrate this milestone year. The Centennial Committee is comprised of nearly 60 members of the College community. The group is led by chairpersons Pat Ciarrocchi ’74, former Rosemont Trustee and Cresset Award recipient and Dianne Rotwitt ’98, Rosemont benefactor and former employee of the College. The committee includes alumni from 1952 to 2018, Rosemont’s former Presidents, members of the Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus, former Trustees, current Trustees, faculty/academic program directors, staff, students, and friends of the College. Three subcommittees have been formed for each of the main components of the Centennial Celebration: Social/Celebration, Education, Service/Spiritual. The subcommittees will continue to meet regularly this fall to begin planning for the Centennial. The remaining full Committee meetings will take place on Jan 27, 2021 & April 22, 2021 to finalize plans from each subcommittee and work toward the Centennial Year to be held September 2021 – June 2022. Incorporated in 1921, the College received its charter in 1922. The same year, the College’s first Mission Statement was introduced. Through the decades, the College has grown from an undergraduate school for women to a coed institution. Adult, graduate, and online programs as well as athletics and numerous student clubs have been added. Read more about Rosemont’s history here
Penny Toss Pandemic Style With all the changes that 2020 has brought, one thing will always remain: Rosemont Traditions. One of Rosemont’s oldest and cherished traditions is the Penny Toss. The tradition is meant to bestow good luck upon the students during their examinations. Traditionally, during fall semester finals week, following a special Advent Mass, the College president and the SGA president toss pennies towards carol-singing students on the porch of the Main Building. This recalls the Sisters’ Christmastime tradition at the first Holy Child school in England in the mid 1800s. This year, with final exams held virtually because of the pandemic, students will not be on campus. To maintain the Penny Toss tradition, Rosemont will include a 2020 penny in Christmas greetings sent to the students of the Undergraduate College.
curve back upward.
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