Bridgette Craig ended her nursing shift at Elgin’s Advocate Sherman Hospital early Monday with a Valentine’s Day surprise: A carnation and a handmade card made by a local student thanking for her work as a first responder.
“I was not expecting this at all,” Craig said. “It’s really an unexpected thing that makes me feel appreciated.”
The gifts were presented to her by state Reps. Anna Moeller and Suzanne Ness, who came to the hospital Monday to pass out flowers and the cards made by School District U-46 and Community School District 300 students.
Armando Martinez, who has managed one of Sherman’s COVID units since May 2021, said one of the cards he received said, “Thank you for not letting us get COVID.” It was written by a child named Leigh, and was presented like a storybook in which nurses and doctors helped end the virus, he said.
“I got the cutest things,” Martinez said. “It’s nice to have on Valentine’s Day.”
Valentine’s Day in 2021 and 2022 are a blur for Martinez and his colleagues, who were too overwhelmed by patients being treated for the virus to even think about the holiday, he said. The team of nurses, doctors and caseworkers he works with helped him get through those difficult times, he said.
“We have to support each other,” Martinez said. “It’s a collaborative effort. We really have to rely on (each other) so that way we can ensure patients are taken care of and their needs are met.”
Moeller and Ness asked local children to make Valentine’s Day cards to thank frontline workers. Other legislative offices did the same thing for seniors living in nursing homes, they said.
Since Sherman has lifted its COVID-19 visitor restrictions, the two legislators were able to deliver the cards personally. More cards were distributed to other locations, including Greater Elgin Family Care Center.
“We’ve come off probably the worst two years in recent history in health care dealing with the pandemic,” said Moeller, D-Elgin. “You read stories about how overwhelmed staffs, hospitals and clinics are in dealing with COVID patients.
“We felt this was a good time to say thank you and let them know they are appreciated. I thought this was a great, innovative way of involving the community and sending some love to our nurses, doctors, and health care workers on the frontlines.”
Sherman has seen a decrease in COVID cases, said Susan Morby, vice president, chief of nurses. “We are definitely past the (most recent) surge,” she said.
“It’s just been a long journey,” Morby said. “I think it’s been exhausting (for health care workers). They have worked so hard for so long. … Despite it all, I’m amazed they show up every day. We’re very mission-driven, and the people who work here are the same. I think no matter what we are here to serve.”
Being recognized for that commitment is “wonderful,” she said.
“We are so thankful they came especially on Valentine’s Day,” Morby said. “We have something we call ‘Sherman love.’ It’s a special energy we seem to feel and have, so Valentine’s Day has an extra special meeting for us.”
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
