By Troy Watkins
Bridget Everett ’16 was on the frontlines of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) response. As a registered nurse at Brigham & Women’s Hospital (BWH) in Boston—the largest city in one of states hit hardest by the virus—she knows all too well the pressure placed on health care professionals since the outbreak first occurred.
“This pandemic has caused a lot of stress and fear of the unknown, but it has also shown me the strength and resilience of health care workers,” she explains. “Everyone has come together for one purpose—as one team—to help those in need.”
Everett began working on an orthopedics floor at BWH in 2016 and has spent the last two years on a bone marrow transplant floor, which has presented specific challenges due to COVID-19.
“On my floor, patients are severely immunocompromised from the chemotherapy we give, which causes concern from both patients and staff,” she says. “We have been extremely cautious with personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep our patients safe while maintaining limited PPE availability.”
The restriction on visitors has been particularly trying for patients and their family and friends. Health care workers have tried to fill that void.
For Everett, one patient will be forever etched in her memory.
“Our hope was to get this terminal patient to home hospice and to spend their final days in the presence of their family,” she says. “Sadly, this patient was too sick for the ambulance ride and required more oxygen than home hospice could provide.
“This patient’s life would come to an end on our floor,” Everett says. “I reassured the family that although they couldn’t be there with their loved one, I would. At the very end, through FaceTime the family conveyed sweet memories with the patient, which was heart-wrenching, yet beautiful, to witness. I was honored to be there to help them through it.”
Everett is a Westfield State legacy from an athletic family. Her father, Curt Everett Sr.’79, played ice hockey for the Owls, while her brother, Curt Everett Jr. ’13, was on the baseball team.
Everett, who was a member of the Owls’ lacrosse team, was drawn to the University by its campus and community. Here, she also met her future husband, Anthony Fodera ’18, and they have set October 3 as the date of their wedding. She says she is grateful for her Westfield State education and thankful for the support provided by many.
“The community—and the world, for that matter—have come together in extraordinary ways,” she says.
“Handmade masks and headband ear protectors have been given to us by thoughtful volunteers. Everywhere you go, there are signs supporting health care workers, which truly puts a smile on our faces. No one is in this alone. We all need to work together to get through this, and we will come out stronger on the other side.”
