Thread by @Cleavon_MD, One of the most dangerous jobs amid the pandemic is being a [...]

One of the most dangerous jobs amid the pandemic is being a respiratory therapist! They are at EVERY intubation and manage ventilators, as a result they are continuously exposed to deadly COVID aerosols & are under enormous emotional strain!

Michael Bamgbopa, 67, Respiratory Therapist, Children's National Med Center, DC, died from COVID. He was a man of great integrity & strength who said what he meant and meant what he said. He leaves an adored wife and 2 daughters. h/t: @CTZebra https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19/85867

Baton Rogue General, Louisiana
William “Bill” Salmon, 66, Respiratory Therapist died from COVID on 5/7. 41 years to the day he started his healthcare career. He was a jokester, mentor, leader and advocate. h/t: @CTZebra https://m.facebook.com/LALungConsultants/photos/a.123126425720194/265023058197196/?type=3

Milton, Massachusetts
Dr. Craig Smallwood, PhD, 36, Respiratory Therapist & Dept of Anesthesia professor died suddenly of unknown causes 4/10. He was creating respiratory assist devices for COVID patients. He leaves a wife and two very little children. https://www.alfreddthomas.com/obituary/DrCraigDavid-Smallwood

Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Harlan Stricklin, 53, Respiratory Therapist died from COVID on 12/14. He was a notorious prankster who made everyone feel like they were number one, even his dogs. h/t: @CTZebra https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/respiratory-therapist-dies-from-covid-19-complications/

Dallas, Texas
Maisha Oni Muhammad-Brinkley, 43, Respiratory Therapist, died from COVID on 11/18. She worked 12 hr shifts with COVID patients. The fear she must have felt when she was hospitalized then intubated. She leaves a husband and 4 kids. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/dallas-tx/maisha-muhammad-brinkley-9910417

This Christmas and New Years is one of SORROW. Carrie Miller Lyman was a beloved Respiratory Therapist for 15 years in Duncan Oklahoma and mother of FIVE CHILDREN taken too soon by COVID. She was only 45. https://www.kswo.com/2020/12/07/duncan-regional-mourns-beloved-respiratory-therapist/

Paulding, Georgia
Bill Gilbert, 78, decided it was too risky to keep working as a Respiratory Therapist during the pandemic, but within days of his last shift, him & his wife fell ill from COVID. She returned home, he went to the ICU, where he died alone. https://www.facebook.com/pauldinginformer/posts/bill-gilbert-was-one-of-the-victims-of-covid-19-in-paulding-he-worked-at-pauldin/1551953061638427/

Miami, Florida
Juan Quintas, 55, Respiratory Therapist at West Gables Rehabilitation Hospital died from COVID. His son Gabriel said his dad did not have full PPE, but never complained about it, because he loved his job. https://www.local10.com/news/local/2020/04/24/partner-of-fallen-healthcare-worker-says-they-need-more-protection-from-coronavirus/

Puerto Rico
Migdalia Sanchez, 40, Respiratory Therapist's FB post prior to death from COVID "I don’t have a cape, but I will like to stay in your memory like a hero, my only superpower taking care of the sick, disadvantaged & hopeless." She leaves 3 girls https://twitter.com/onco_cardiology/status/1304656929789292547?s=20

https://twitter.com/onco_cardiology/status/1304656929789292547?s=20

Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Teresa Ortiz Matos, 53, was the first Respiratory Therapist to die from COVID in Puerto Rico on March 30th. She was loved by all as shown by the outpouring of family support on her obituary page. h/t: @CTZebra https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/bayamon-pr/teresa-ortiz-matos-9103622

Bronx, NY
Petal Williams Richards, 57, Respiratory Therapist went to work April 5, but never returned home. She was admitted for COVID then died 4 wks later - a day before her mom's funeral for COVID. She leaves a grieving husband & 10 year old daughter. https://westchester.news12.com/family-friends-mourn-the-loss-of-rockland-frontline-worker-who-lost-her-battle-with-covid19-42136860

Baldwin, NY
Respiratory Therapist Andrea McKenzie was a superwoman, always doing 1 million things at once. Words fail to encompass how truly beautiful she was both inward and outward. She died from COVID, leaving a husband and two young sons. She was 44. https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-andrea-mckenzie

Saginaw, MI
Respiratory Therapist Carrie Hennig, 56, was so fearful of infecting family she isolated in a camper, saying "I wish I could hug you one more time. I'm not going to let this take me." But days later she was on a ventilator & died from COVID. https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/06/18/michigan-woman-dies-covid-19-her-hometown-destroyed-flood/5323955002/

Dallas, TX
Respiratory Therapist Isabelle Papadimitriou, 64, had a smile that could light up a room. She was fun and fearless, even on the frontlines of the COVID pandemic. This virus has taken the best of our profession leaving a wake of grief & pain. https://twitter.com/itsmefi/status/1342146008327794695?s=20

https://twitter.com/itsmefi/status/1342146008327794695?s=20

Sierra Vista, Arizona
Respiratory Therapist Michael Willis, 68, was known for his gentle humor & steady demeanor at Copper Queen Community Hospital in Bisbee, AZ. In June he became ill after managing a very sick COVID patient. 10 days later he died, leaving a wife and 4 children.

Irvington, NJ
They were inseparable in sickness and in health, raising two disabled children, but in April Respiratory Therapist, Cornell Hobbs Jr, 63, and his wife Marquita, paraprofessional at the Caldwell Tech School, fell sick to COVID; both would die. https://www.nj.com/coronavirus/2020/06/nj-woman-was-killed-by-coronavirus-but-her-legacy-will-live-on-at-school-she-loved.html

Dayton, Ohio
Respiratory Therapist Damon Bradley was the epitome of good health. He ate clean & trained hard! His son Damon Jr., followed in dad's footsteps as a respiratory care student. He leaves 2 sons and a daughter. He was 44.

Denver, Colorado
As a Respiratory Therapist, Marsha Knight managed airways, including suctioning bronchial secretions of COVID patients, before falling ill to COVID herself. She leaves behind a husband and two children. https://gofund.me/7e238ce7

Odessa, Texas
60 y.o. Respiratory Therapist Jaime Lozano was loved by all. His infectious smile and laid back attitude brightened the days of all who were near. Sadly, Nov 28 he lost his life to COVID. He leaves a wife, 4 children & 14 grandchildren. https://www.gofundme.com/f/jaime-lozano-aka-papa-lo

New York City
Mariame Sy-Perry, 59, Respiratory Therapist, Mount Sinai, NYC died from COVID on 6/23. She leaves behind two daughters - one of whom also went into healthcare h/t: @CTZebra Source: Mt Sinai virtual memorial service

Hollywood, Florida
After serving his country as a Marine, Kenny Reagan, 56, served Florida as a Respiratory Therapist for 32 years. He never met a stranger. He coached JV baseball, mentored & checked-in w/friends. He leaves a wife & 2 children. Semper Fi https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/highschool/fl-sp-hs-reagan-covid-20200822-hbj6khsu7vbxran255jchgpmf4-story.html

Harlingen, TX
Aside from working as a Respiratory Therapist, Jamianne Putnam, 64, advocated for children with special needs and started many programs. She loved her hometown b/c she had sun, sand, and fun. She died from COVID 8/2. She leaves behind many nieces & nephews.

Frank Casano is one of the FEW to serve in a WAR and PANDEMIC. After serving as a Navy Corpsman in the Vietnam War, he served his local NY hospital as a Respiratory Therapist for 35 yrs, before dying from COVID. He leaves a wife & two children. He was 71. https://covidsurvivorsforchange.org/2020/11/18/in-memory-of-frank-casano-a-cherished-family-man-vet-and-best-friend/

Nothing makes me more UPSET than hearing fellow frontline workers, in this case RESPIRATORY THERAPISTS feeling like they are NOT SEEN, while risking their lives managing ventilators throughout this pandemic. Thank you RTs! I love y'all

Latest Threads Unrolled: