MEET THE MEDICS
Early on in the COVID-19 outbreak , U . S . Navy veteran and nurse Charlotte Semple went to New York City — then the epicenter of the pandemic — on a paid nursing assignment . She returned home thinking she ’ d rather volunteer . So , when the opportunity to deploy to the Navajo Nation with Team Rubicon arrived , the nurse jumped at the chance . In mid-June , she headed to Arizona where she worked in the respiratory care unit of Chinle Hospital ’ s COVID unit for two weeks . The work had such an impact that she returned for a second stint .
What was the hardest thing about serving at the Navajo Nation ? Maybe lockdown . I ' m a big outdoors girl so it was kind of hard to be there , in this amazing place , and not able to go to explore it .
As far as the experience ? The staff at the hospital were super welcoming and super helpful and friendly , and glad you ' re there , so that was good .
What was the most impactful thing that happened during your deployment ? I think the numbers that have been affected there , and the number of people who know someone who died or has been extremely ill , had a big impact . And , it ’ s a very small hospital . Anybody serious has to be flown out , so their ER is incredibly busy .
Is there one thing you experienced that will stick with you forever ? At the Chinle Hospital they do what they call a " calling Dr . White " when we discharge somebody . The staff would line up and clap for the person as they went by in a wheelchair and exited the building . Even the maintenance staff and security , when they heard the announcement , would go to the other side of the parking lot and see the person off . That was very touching .
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