Front-line workers, exhausted, at times fearful, and yet unwavering in their commitment to care for patients fighting COVID-19.
That’s why the Bozeman community is now rallying together to keep the momentum of health care workers going strong. And now, Montana is saying thank you.
“ I was here this week and they came over twice and I was like, ‘oh my gosh can I get another snack because you just made my day,’ seriously that’s what I say when I come by,” said Leah Vest, ICU nurse. “And I think that every time we were laughing on the weekend because we were like it’s like the ice cream truck when we were kids.”
Each day the cart makes the rounds throughout Bozeman Health, bringing treats to doctors and nurses, now caring for the latest surge of Covid positive patients.
A job Vest says can be emotional.
“ it is definitely exhausting,” said Vest. “Fearful comes and goes. ICU nurses are very good at suppressing fears and handling tough situations.”
The morale boosting mobile pick me up is supported by the Bozeman Health Foundation and Resiliency Task Force - now, it is getting some extra help.
Fellow health care worker Erin Neil started a Go Fund Me to raise money to provide items for the care cart.
“It’s hard, it's really hard,” said Neil. “I want our healthcare workers to know that our community is there for them.”
“It’s like when somebody’s thinking about us, while we are thinking about everyone else,” SAID LEAH.
Donations will go to the foundation in order to purchase more items for the cart. Foundation managers say another wave of community support like they saw when the pandemic first hit in spring would mean so much to front line teams as pandemic numbers surge again
“I think the impact coming from our community members makes an entire difference because to them It says the community is still behind them, 100 percent,” said Mindy Grobe, Bozeman Health.
As for Vest, she says no matter what, her team will carry on, knowing the fight is far from over
“I care about my patients, I care about them as people,” she said.
If you’d like to donate to the care fund you’ll find all the information here.