• Alumnae
Alumnae on the Front Lines
Interviews
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The pandemic has reshaped our lives in unpredictable and unimaginable ways. Grounded by the Goals of a Sacred Heart education, our alumnae have sustained their faith, built community, and have remained hopeful. Here are some of their stories.

 

Tabitha Core ’12

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Describe your role in serving others during the pandemic.
I have been teaching 4th grade at two different all-girls schools. For the 2019-2020 school year, we were entirely virtual at my K–5 charter school in the Bronx. Last year and this year, I work at a K–12 independent school, where we are very fortunate to have had the resources to stay in-person safely (with few remote stints).
 
How have the Goals of Sacred Heart education informed your daily practice and interactions?
Part of the reason I love the school where I teach now so much is because of its core values of honesty, respect, responsibility, courage, and kindness, which so closely align with the Goals of the Sacred Heart education. I believe that going to Stone Ridge made me a stronger educator for my students in that I lived the goals of faith, intellect, awareness, community, and growth as a student, so now I am able to lead my students to develop those same values in their own ways.
 
In what ways have you nurtured your sense of community or witnessed community building?
The adult community has been incredible during this difficult time. As educators, we have been forced to count on each other in a way unlike before, which has now led us to rely on and support each other more often, even in areas where previously, we may have tried to power through independently. The students have also been wonderfully supportive and affectionate to each other; they have learned how to communicate kindly online, making even our remote students feel welcome and included in the classroom. We do frequent community building exercises that bring our classroom together.

What gives you hope and helps you sustain faith during this time?
I still see the magic moments in teaching, even behind masks, silent lunches, and spaced 6 feet apart; there was the day the author of our Language Arts book virtually met with the class to talk about being a writer, and my aspiring novelist student physically shook with excitement while scribbling down notes furiously. Or the Secret Santa homemade craft exchange my student organized for the class because she thought everyone should receive a holiday gift made with love (her words, not mine). Or the student who was so excited about class jobs she created a resumé and cover letter (I did indeed hire her as our IT Specialist). No matter the circumstances, kids are kids, and it's wonderful to see their magic shining through day after day.

What is your wish for next year?
My wish for 2022 is that we won't have to wear masks in school anymore, be able to talk during lunch, and to finally be able to give my students the bear hugs they deserve that are now years overdue!

 

Sarah Johnson Conway ’02

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Describe your role in serving others during the pandemic.
As an internal medicine hospitalist, I take care of patients who are admitted to Johns Hopkins Hospital. We are the front-line physicians for patients with COVID-19 who require non-ICU level care. I also take 24-hour shifts as the “Medical Control Chief,” which is the physician lead for our COVID-19 Command Center. I help with patient triage, shifting clinical units, and allocating care hospital resources. Outside of work, I’ve participated in forums where I’ve spoken about the importance of vaccines and helped address hesitancy.
 
How have the Goals of Sacred Heart education informed your daily practice and interactions?
Similar to the Stone Ridge experience, the COVID-19 pandemic for a healthcare worker has been transformational. Our respect for intellectual values, Goal V, allowed us to follow the science even amongst a sea tide of misinformation. Our social awareness impelled us to action in the care of our communities. The community and trust we built as we faced the seemingly impossible task of clinical care allowed for deeper self-understanding and growth.
 
In what ways have you nurtured your sense of community or witnessed community building?
Our hospital list group has started actively using a Whats App chat. I’ve gotten to know more about my colleagues and we’ve been able to share our fears, frustrations, and triumphs during these trying times. In my administrative role, I’ve worked with our Federally Qualified Health Center partners who provide care to the highest need communities, to help ensure easy access to testing and vaccination.
 
What gives you hope and helps you sustain faith during this time?
Being part of a group of doctors that have jumped in to care for COVID-19 patients has been inspiring. The altruism, perseverance, and commitment my colleagues continually demonstrate give me hope even in the darkest of times.
 
What is your wish for 2022?
Despite the fatigue from the pandemic, I hope we are able to hold on to some of the small wins we have gotten over the last two years. For me, those have been increased job flexibility with more respect for my personal life and family; increased time with my kids, and more small-knit gatherings with those I love most in the world.

 

Ilona Kopits ’93

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Describe your role in serving others during the pandemic.
I am a primary care physician for low-income senior citizens from inner-city neighborhoods of Boston through an organization called Program of All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly or PACE. We provide services and care to keep our patients at home in their communities. The impact of COVID on this fragile population is as devastating as you can imagine. They are and continue to be at high risk for severe infection and death. The isolation and sudden decrease in access to care have taken their toll.

For nearly two years now, the team and I have continued to provide medical and comprehensive care to these patients despite the multitude of barriers that currently exist. I make home visits regularly, and our team keeps in regular contact with each patient and their family. When my patients are admitted to hospitals or nursing homes, I follow up with them and help to coordinate bringing them home or to needed appointments, even when it may seem impossible. I have also continued my work at Boston University Medical Center during the pandemic. I still see patients there and maintain the Geriatrics teaching opportunities for medical students, residents, and fellows in training.
 
How have the Goals of Sacred Heart education informed your daily practice and interactions?
When the pandemic started in March 2020, I dug into my jewelry box to find my Stone Ridge ring and wore it daily. I can honestly say that those Goals, hanging on my bulletin board, helped me. This was especially true in those early months when things were so frightening, and I was saying goodbye to my patients over a video call, knowing there was nothing anyone could do for them. Goal III particularly kept things in perspective for me. I was very aware of how the patients, their families, and all their health aides were struggling, and this gave me the strength to keep going to work and keep advocating for their healthcare needs and try to combat the isolation.
 
In what ways have you nurtured your sense of community or witnessed community building?
I am in awe of my coworkers, who kept things going, not only for the patients but also for each other. It helped build a sense of community among those of us who wanted to care for our fragile patients, no matter what the risk may have been for ourselves.

When I became infected with COVID over the Christmas holidays in 2020, I was much sicker than anticipated and was out of work for over a month. At my sickest in the emergency room, it was my Stone Ridge friends who kept me smiling with their humor; I cherish this lifelong support. The outpouring of love, kindness, and generosity from my own family and the community around me is something that will stay with me forever—even the group of families who sang us Christmas carols on our front lawn.  
 
What gives you hope and helps you sustain faith during this time?
By nature, my children give me hope. Younger and more resilient, they are growing into teenagers and reminding me that the future is still full of positive possibilities. I also have learned a great deal about faith from my patients, who continue to move forward despite the many hardships they have had to overcome, without anger or contempt, but purely on their faith and belief that things are never as bad as they seem.   

What is your wish for 2022?
I wish for COVID-19 to become another regular flu that will fade into the background and allow people to help rebuild our healthcare system. I also wish for more in-person time together with loved ones, travel, concerts, meals, and that my kids can experience the years ahead with the same ‘normalcy’ that we had.

 

Mary Ellen Ruff ’90

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Describe your role in serving others during the pandemic.
When the pandemic started, I did not really anticipate any significant impact on my life. As a psychotherapist, I could transition to secure online platforms to maintain continuity of care for my clients. For the first few weeks, some clients canceled saying they preferred to wait it out and planned to return to therapy when we could be back in person again. By July, my schedule was full. With the persistence of isolation, variants, homeschooling, teleworking, and the ongoing threat of illness, the need for therapy became significant as did my need to find creative ways to support clients.
    
How have the Goals of Sacred Heart education informed your daily practice and interactions?
I have a card on my desk that lists the keywords of each of the five Goals, and I use this as a reminder of my respect for my Sacred Heart education. The Goals are both foundational and aspirational for me so having that visual reminder encourages me to weave them into my daily life, personally, and professionally.

In what ways have you nurtured your sense of community or witnessed community building?
The building of community as a Christian value, Goal IV, has always been a favorite. I love the idea of building connection within my community, and among friends and colleagues. During the pandemic, I began hosting consultation groups for young therapists whose work, in many cases, had suddenly become virtual. Since the relational aspect of therapy is a critical component, these groups fostered connection and built confidence in developing relationships in the virtual space. Many colleagues have shared resources and ideas enhancing our clinical work, and ultimately allowing us to meet the needs of our clients more effectively.

What gives you hope and helps you sustain faith during this time?
Over the past two years, my faith has been sustained by the incredible service and commitment of our healthcare workers, researchers, and all those individuals in the service industry who enabled us to continue functioning as best we could. I got to know my FedEx driver and postal worker—two people I had never actually seen before the pandemic started!

What is your wish for 2022?
For this year, I really wish for healing. So many people are suffering and struggling—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. While we have adapted to so many things, and become creative in meeting needs, my hope is that we allow ourselves and each other the space for acceptance and healing.

 

Suja Parakamannil Ali ’80

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Describe your role in serving others during the pandemic.
I work in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for Montgomery County. Prior to the pandemic, my role was to oversee a team of specialists who provided hands-on support, guidance, and coaching to the early childhood community within the County.

Beginning in March 2020, our office pivoted from in-person training and coaching sessions to virtual interactions with licensed early childhood educators, allowing continuance of education and training. We provided a virtual forum whereby educators could voice their concerns and receive support while facing uncertainties about the sustainability of their programs. I was responsible for creating a space which took the form of weekly hour-long chat sessions, in English and Spanish, where educators could stay engaged and have their concerns heard throughout the ups and downs of the pandemic.

In mid-October, I began a new position within HHS providing contract management and oversight to the eight Service Consolidation Hubs that were set up in March 2020 throughout the County to provide emergency food and resources to needy citizens. The pandemic created a food access crisis in the County and the Hubs were established to address this crisis. The Hubs have assisted an average of 500 households on a weekly basis since the onset of the pandemic. In addition to food, clients are also paired with case managers who help them navigate through the myriad of social services that are available to them.
 
How have the Goals of Sacred Heart education informed your daily practice and interactions?
I strive to embody the Sacred Heart Goals of faith, intellect, social action, community, and growth on a daily basis in my interactions with staff at the Hubs. I deeply respect and admire their commitment to serving the larger community, often in emergency situations when families are in dire need of food due to COVID infections within the household. It is extremely inspiring to see the way in which families are treated with dignity and grace during these difficult times. While all but two of the eight Hubs are faith-based, all eight of them serve their communities in a very compassionate and caring way. My goal in working with the Hubs is for them to feel that they are encouraged and supported to continue providing respite for families in need.
 
In what ways have you nurtured your sense of community or witnessed community building?

I see community building on a daily basis in the incredible work that is performed by the Hubs. The Hubs have been on the front lines since March 2020 providing food and much-needed relief to many who suffered food insecurity due to job loss and/or illness. They have all established a real sense of community while serving their families. Families know they can count on getting the assistance they need to survive through the work of the Hubs.
 
What gives you hope and helps you sustain faith during this time?
The kindness and compassion that Hub staff show their clients has been a source of hope for me during the pandemic. Their positive attitudes as they serve the community and their resiliency in working through challenging situations strengthens and sustains my faith in God and in the goodness of others.   
 
What is your wish for 2022?

I hope that 2022 brings an end to the pandemic and that our new normal is one that includes more opportunities for social gatherings without the fear of contracting a potentially deadly virus. I also hope and pray that the racial, economic, and equity gaps that grew larger during the pandemic will decrease and that fewer people will suffer injustices of any kind.