St. Cecilia Alumnae Healthcare Heroines / 10 Life at SCA

ST. CECILIA ALUMNAE Healthcare Heroines

SCA has been checking in with alumnae who are working in the healthcare field during this time of COVID-19. The following are reflections from women who are working on the frontlines. We salute their commitment and perseverance amid difficult circumstances and offer all healthcare workers, especially those in the St. Cecilia family, the promise of our continued prayers.

Hannah Perryman, '14

CARLENDA SMITH Class of 1999

General Pediatrician

Life for the past year has been interesting and exhausting. I heard a great saying that 2020 was the year of pivots and plateaus, and that is definitely true! I never envisioned working during a pandemic. I was in medical school for 4 years, residency for 4 years, and I have now been practicing for over 10 years. I never Carlenda Smith, '99 imagined that I would be a first responder in a global pandemic. I was a resident when H1N1 occurred, but working during the COVID-19 pandemic has been completely different. When COVID-19 first emerged, all I could think of was keeping my husband, family, friends, staff, and patients safe. There was so much to learn, and trying to anticipate the unknown was overwhelming. One step at a time we figured it out, made plans and changed plans, and continued to pivot. I believe the pandemic has shown that we are all connected in some way, and we depend on one another. Our connection to one another is what keeps us going.

COVID-19 has definitely affected my patient population. I am a general pediatrician in Rutherford County, and I have the privilege of taking care of a diverse patient population. COVID-19 has disproportionately affected people of color; they have a higher incidence of contracting the virus because some are essential workers, and they have a higher mortality rate. Because of this virus, some of my patients have lost family members. The mental health toll caused by COVID-19 is also astounding. Since the pandemic began, I have seen an increased number of children with depression and anxiety. Listening to these stories is always humbling and is a reminder of how fragile life can be.

Yet in the midst of this pandemic, I am thankful. Thankful that I am in a profession in which I can help people, and I am thankful for knowledge. My grandmother told me that knowledge comes from God, and she is right. God will lead us out of the darkness. In the words of American poet, Amanda Gorman, "There is always light, if only we're brave enough to see it. If only we're brave enough to be it." I encourage everyone to be a light in the lives of others. We must continue to uplift and help others.

SCHUYLER LUCIO MOORE Class of 2003

Nurse at a Long-term Care Facility

I have been a nurse for 13 years, and certainly have never experienced a climate like this in medicine. Regardless of the specialty—whether it be ICU, ER, or primary care—we have all felt the impact that this pandemic has brought to our healthcare communities. Over the past year, fear and anxiety would come in waves. Everyday questions were frightening: Am I going to be exposed today? If I become exposed will I get sick? Who will take care of my baby if I get sick? And am I making a difference in the lives of my patients?

I work in a long-term acute-care setting, and I have always had a deep desire to care for patients in their geriatric years. The majority of my patients are over the age of 65 with multiple health conditions, and the coronavirus has impacted this population mightily. I sit alongside the dying when families cannot be present. I am the only point of contact between the families and their loved ones, keeping them updated on their conditions.

Though stressful, it has been the privilege of my life to call myself a nurse and frontline worker throughout this pandemic. I trust that God will give me what I need one day at a time, and and that is how most of us in healthcare have been able to keep going: one day at a

Schuyler Lucio Moore, '03

very important, especially for nurses! Taking some deep breaths, reminding myself of the positives in life, taking some time for myself, and always paying attention to my own physical, emotional, and psychological needs.

At the end of the day, as hard and challenging as it may be sometimes, it is so worth it! We nurses will continue to face every shift with courage and enthusiasm, and with hope and compassion all while doing what we do best, taking care of each and every one of you!

Thais Coleman, '05

time. I try to always live by the motto which was taught to me early in my nursing career: "Today I will do the best that I can, for as many as I can, for as long as I can."

THAIS COLEMAN Class of 2005

ICU Nurse

Working in healthcare over the last year has been exhausting. Frustrating. Scary. As a nurse in the ICU, my work is especially challenging. The vast number of ICU patients with high acuity diagnoses have increased exponentially during the pandemic. Caring for patients with COVID-19 is a great responsibility. I have had patients in their 20s to patients in their 90s battling this virus. I think the biggest thing that comes to mind with the patient population is that our staff levels are at an all-time low. As a nurse, I'm always trying to physically, socially, and spiritually treat the patient, but during COVID you're trying to meet all of these needs without the patient’s support system. Seeing a patient's loved ones have to say goodbye through an iPad to responsive or unresponsive patients is heart-wrenching. It has been a surreal blur of stress, sadness, many tears, missed lunches and a lingering hope that I still have in my heart. As nurses, we become our patient's family and support--and many times, we are the last hand they hold and the last person they see.

The day-to-day challenges of nursing have changed in significant ways since the COVID-19 pandemic began. I never thought I would hear the words “reuse your PPE” in my nursing career. After a thirteen hour work day, we would go home to our families and children and were mindful within our own families. Before we could even hug our spouses and children, we would have to go straight to the shower to wash off the day we just endured. I have found through the COVID-19 pandemic that self-care is so

HANNAH PERRYMAN Class of 2014

Labor and Delivery Nurse

In March & April of 2020 I was working hands-on as a nurse with COVID patients in several COVID units across Saint Thomas Midtown. It was scary at first because there was so much unknown and uncertainty; however, I counted my blessings every day that I had

a job during a challenging time when many Americans in the workplace did not. I was in the ICU step-down units and helped to treat patients’ symptoms, monitor their vital signs, and administer necessary medications. The hardest part was donning and doffing our PPE (personal protective equipment) and having to minimize patient contact. One of the reasons I became a nurse is because I love to get to know my patients and provide them with hands-on care.

I am grateful to have worked alongside brave people who made sacrifices every day to take care of patients in an uncertain and stressful environment. Every person that has been at the hospital during this pandemic- the doctors, nurses, housekeepers, patient care technicians, cafeteria staff, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, and many more in important hospital roles- have exemplified mercy in an extraordinary way by being present in the middle of a mess to love others and to serve God. It is humbling to be in a role like this. In August 2020 I started a new job in Labor & Delivery. This department has also faced its challenges during the pandemic, but I have witnessed new life entering the world every day- a reminder that darkness and suffering never have the final say, and that God’s mercies are always new, every new day. I must say that my education at Saint Cecilia has formed me as a woman who can encounter the unknown with faith and with hope.

STACEY RIDDICK Class of 2015

Epidemiologic Research Assistant

Since March of 2020, I’ve had the opportunity to serve on the frontlines of the ongoing coronavirus response in several different capacities in my role at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Stacey Riddick, '15

As part of the Community Intervention and Critical Population Task Force (CICPTF), no two days are the same. I’ve supported the work of our clinical on-call centers by answering clinical inquiries about coronavirus patients from clinicians and health departments around the nation. I’ve assessed symptoms and needs at major U.S. airports and COVID testing sites. I’ve found that my most fulfilling work on the response to date has been the real “boots on the ground” work to provide health education and resources to communities of greatest need. As an early-career healthcare professional, I’ve seen the best of humanity in our collective response to this pandemic. Although COVID-19 has highlighted several gaps in our healthcare system, I’m committed to this work of bridging health equity gaps domestically and abroad.

I have to thank my SCA AP Biology and Chemistry teachers, Dr. Karen Deal and Mrs. Becky Simon, for seeing my natural science strengths early on, thus laying the foundation for my future career in medicine. ◊

2020-2021 ACADEMIC YEAR

Life at SCA

Amid the challenges of educating during COVID, St. Cecilia Academy “put out into the deep” and pressed forward in person for 2020-2021. On these pages are some highlights of life at SCA this year.

Ms. Ervin teaches class in the dance studio.

Human bumper balls added fun to class competitions during a fall Community and Culture Day.

National Merit Scholarship Finalist

NEW INITIATIVE

All-school Mass was held outside several times in the courtyard.

Community and Culture

This year SCA introduced Community and Culture Days that are dedicated to reflecting as a school on the art of living, with a focus on growing in the ability to relate well with others and thus building a culture of true community and belonging that is at the heart of SCA’s mission. On four different days throughout the year, the entire school engaged in dialogue about timely topics that fostered individual and communal growth in unity, mutual respect, and understanding.

Hands-on learning continues in person in every classroom.

(Left) SCA Legend Mr. Francis Horn has been “the voice of SCA” this year, daily coming on the intercom to move student cohorts to their next class or activity.

Consultant Derek Young addresses faculty and also students as part of the implementation of SCA’s Culture of Belonging initiative, which strives to combat racism in all its forms and strengthen the school culture so that every girl feels a sense of belonging.

STUDENT LIFE AT-A-GLANCE Co-Curriculars

SCA’s Robotics team, the Ladybots, hosted an FTC League scrimmage, the first in-person event in Tennessee since last March. 12 Angry Jurors was SCA’s fall drama production. (Left to Right) Madelina Huffman, Teria Tibbs, Isabella Tiamson, Mia Smitherman, Rosie McGrady

Model UN

Adaeze Umeukeje presents her proposal to the General Assembly at Model UN, which this year had an online format involving Tennessee-area students.

Artist in Residence

Award-winning Nashville painter and illustrator Karen Johnston served as SCA’s artist-in-residence for the fall semester.

Karen shared with students her classical training as well as her interest in projects that connect the arts with the larger community. An active member of the Nashville Artist Guild,

Contemporary Collective, Healing Power of Art and Artists,

Karen also leads a local support community for those with cancer, life-changing illness and caregivers that she founded in 2010. At Thanksgiving students created handmade painted 12 cards for seniors in nursing homes.

ServiceLearning

With many of SCA’s service learning partners halting in-person service this year, students took advantage of service opportunities organized by SCA librarian Mrs. Lisa Keelan. They made face masks for churches, no-sew baby blankets for Strick’s gifts, and cards for military and front-line workers as part of Operation Gratitude.

Black History Month presentation featured a student panel of juniors and seniors moderated by Dr. Christina Edmondson and an address by Mayor Michele Delisfort of Union Township, NJ, who reflected on women in leadership and lessons learned from her own Catholic all-girls education.

ST. CECILIA ACADEMY Athletics

Sports Seasons continue at SCA

(Left) Isabel Leonard and Emma Regens defend the net.

(Below) Cindy Nguyen swimming strong for SCA.

Cross Country competes at Steeplechase.

Athletic Scholarship Signing

St. Cecilia Academy joins in celebrating Annie Lee (Top) and Hannah Neilsen (Bottom) on their commitment to play college sports. Annie Lee will be joining the golf team at Christian Brothers University in Memphis, and Hannah Neilsen will be joining the swim team at Boston College. We are excited to follow both of our student athletes as they compete at the Collegiate level. Sisters Jordan and Jessica Epstein, working together for the Scarabs soccer team.