Randi Lackritz
Age: 54
Hometown: Beachwood
Work: Perfusionist at Cleveland Clinic main campus
How have you served the community during the COVID-19 pandemic?
As a perfusionist, I run the heart and lung machine during heart surgery. For our sickest patients, I am responsible for ECMO support, which is a life support machine used in the ICU. We have placed numerous COVID patients on ECMO during this past year.
What has been the most challenging part?
This was most definitely a year of challenges. After being a perfusionist part time, I went back to work full time. The beginning of the pandemic was the scariest time. On my drive into work, I was happy to go in but scared of what may happen once I got there. I didn’t know if I would contract the virus or spread it to a family member. I had the motto, “to do better today than yesterday” approach. As a family, we kept trying to improve our lifestyle, home and survival skills. After being a perfusionist for over 30 years, I didn’t know I still had so much to learn because of our new patient population – the COVID patient. As a team, we helped each other out with donning and doffing our personal protective equipment. Last year, I finally got to use my years of training for wearing N95 masks. I’m used to wearing masks, but most of society wasn’t in the beginning. I felt like an ambassador for mask wearing, and I tried to help calm people and make them feel more comfortable wearing the masks.
What has been the most rewarding part?
The most rewarding part was being able to know that the COVID patients that I helped had good outcomes.
How can Clevelanders continue to support frontline workers?
The main thing to do is to believe and trust science. If it’s time to wear the mask, be like Nike and just do it. Also, we love the discounts just because of our profession. My husband was in the Air Force. Usually he gets thanked for his service and gets the veteran’s discount. Now, it’s my turn and it feels good for the appreciation.
What are you most looking forward to doing this summer in Northeast Ohio now that you are vaccinated and everything is opening up?
Summer is my favorite time of year here in Cleveland. I’m looking forward to being outdoors at events such as art shows and markets. I’m more nervous about what the fall brings and indoor happenings.
What local restaurant are you most excited to visit?
I’ve been vaccinated since January. We’ve been getting food all along from restaurants we love. Occasionally, we did eat indoors. I don’t feel deprived in the restaurant department.
What Cleveland activities are you looking forward to this summer?
I’m not sure because I’m not ready for full capacity crowds yet. Last year I played more golf and will continue to do so.
Margo Lackritz
Age: 21
Hometown: Beachwood
Work: I currently work at University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center as a nursing assistant, but will be working at Cleveland Clinic’s Hillcrest Hospital as a registered nurse once I pass my nursing boards.
How have you served the community during the COVID-19 pandemic?
As a nursing assistant, I help patients complete their activities of daily living (i.e. bathing, assisting with feedings, toileting), obtaining vital signs, taking blood sugars and other duties that are delegated to me by the nurse, but most importantly, I serve as a patient advocate. As a health care professional, it is crucial to be a voice for patients if they are unable to be heard. During the pandemic, I made sure all of my patients had everything they need that promoted a comfortable and non-stimulating environment. One of the key concepts I learned in nursing school is the importance of holistic health: treating the physical, mental, spiritual, emotional and social needs of the patient. As a nursing assistant and a soon to be registered nurse, I care for my patients on a holistic level and will continue to throughout my career.
What has been the most challenging part?
The most challenging part of working during the pandemic was the shortage in personal protective equipment. As a nursing assistant, I usually care for nine patients, depending on staffing. During the winter months, the PPE supply was scarce and we would have to reuse our gowns and other gear if we were going into another COVID patient’s room. Our N95 masks were also being reused for multiple shifts due to the shortage.
What has been the most rewarding part?
The most rewarding part was seeing patients beat coronavirus and going home to their families.
How can Clevelanders continue to support frontline workers?
Clevelanders can support frontline workers by continuing safe health practices of social distancing measures, effective hand washing, wearing masks in crowds and staying educated on all aspects of this virus.
What are you most looking forward to doing this summer in Northeast Ohio now that you are vaccinated and everything is opening up?
I am looking forward to being outside and enjoying the summer weather.
What local restaurant are you most excited to visit?
Anything in Chagrin Falls.
What Cleveland activities are you looking forward to this summer?
I am looking forward to going to the West Side Market and downtown Cleveland.
Meet more of Cleveland’s frontline workers at jstylemagazine.com/frontlineworkers.