Mar 4, 2021 / 10:19 PM EST
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) On Thursday night, News 8 hosted “Overcoming COVID,” a town hall discussion.
Brooke Martin and Phil Sanchez hosted experts who discussed vaccines, mental health, education and the economy.
This weekend will mark one year since the first confirmed virus case in Indiana. The State Department of Health on Thursday reported 32 more Hoosier deaths, bringing the toll to 12,231.
Guests included:
Kristen Kelley, Nursing Director of Infection Prevention, IU Health
Dr. Ram Yeleti, EVP, Chief Physician Executive, Community Health Network
Aleesia Johnson, Superintendent, Indianapolis Public Schools
Carter Cramer, lead psychiatric nurse practitioner, IU Health behavioral health
Gerry Dick, Host, Inside Indiana Business
Emily Hartman is an administrative coordinator at Community South Hospital in Indianapolis. After COVID-19 hit in March, she was moved to the hematology-oncology unit, where cancer patients receive chemotherapy.
While helping the nurses and cleaning, Hartman also spent time with a male glioblastoma patient who had a fast-growing brain tumor and was nearing death. His family and friends were not allowed to visit the hospital due to the pandemic, but because of his tumor, he didn’t understand that. So she sat with him for hours talking and trying to explain what was going on.
“There were several times that I just sat in his room for hours and talked to this guy that was my job,” Hartman said. “But to see his concern, and the nurses would try to explain everything to him, why his family wasn’t coming, and why they weren’t here to visit him.”