SHARED Stories — SHARE at UMass Memorial

“We have a union that cares about us. We have advocacy. We have people listening.” —Ayodeji Dee Adeyinka, Mental Health Counselor — “We have a union that cares about us. We have advocacy. We have people listening.” —Ayodeji Dee Adeyinka, Mental Health Counselor

Select a photo to read how each of us takes care of our patients, our families, our hospital, and our community through the pandemic

“This 94 year-old woman last week, she was teaching me all about World War II.” —Marnie Doyle, Virtual Ambassador Program / PCA II — “This 94 year-old woman last week, she was teaching me all about World War II.” —Marnie Doyle, Virtual Ambassador Program / PCA II

“I want to be a good example for my girls.”—Brittany Hynes, Ophthalmic Technician — “I want to be a good example for my girls.”—Brittany Hynes, Ophthalmic Technician

“I was kind of dancing around outside one of the doors to a patient being a little silly and the patient said, ‘That just made my day!’” —Kona Enders, PCA II — “I was kind of dancing around outside one of the doors to a patient being a little silly and the patient said, ‘That just made my day!’” —Kona Enders, PCA II

Tell Your Story

“It doesn’t take long to know we’re all family.” —Sara Gonzalez, CNA & Patient Transport — “It doesn’t take long to know we’re all family.” —Sara Gonzalez, CNA & Patient Transport

“A few other nurses and I surrounded his bedside, keeping a close watch while trying to comfort him as much as possible. “ —Vanessa Cadime, CNA — “A few other nurses and I surrounded his bedside, keeping a close watch while trying to comfort him as much as possible. “ —Vanessa Cadime, CNA

“Every morning I see the sunrise and think, ‘We’ve got this.’ But still, It’s hard.” — Rich Leufstedt, Radiologic Technologist — “Every morning I see the sunrise and think, ‘We’ve got this.’ But still, It’s hard.” — Rich Leufstedt, Radiologic Technologist

“We are really making sure we have each other’s back.”— Joshua Resch, Mental Health Associate — “We are really making sure we have each other’s back.”— Joshua Resch, Mental Health Associate

“We’ve made a list of issues to talk to management about to make sure the place is ready.” —Dee Martin, Patient Access Services Rep — “We’ve made a list of issues to talk to management about to make sure the place is ready.” —Dee Martin, Patient Access Services Rep

“There’s no ‘I’ in ‘team.’” — Annette Machunsky, Specialty A/R Coordinator — “There’s no ‘I’ in ‘team.’” — Annette Machunsky, Specialty A/R Coordinator

“I’m thinking about my grandkids.” — John Kendall, Clinical Laboratory Assistant — “I’m thinking about my grandkids.” — John Kendall, Clinical Laboratory Assistant

Tell Your Story

“We found it impressive how quickly the hospital was able to meet our needs for negative-pressure beds. The addition of the DCU center . . . helped to ease the demand here at the Medical Center.””

— Sheila Ducharme, Bed Control

“It may be just a little tiny thing, but it feels like we're sticking together.” —Cathy Conway, Lead Financial Counselor — “It may be just a little tiny thing, but it feels like we're sticking together.” —Cathy Conway, Lead Financial Counselor

“Rep meetings on Zoom have actually been really great – seeing all those faces, hearing what else people are doing and going through. I used to be in patient care for years, so I really appreciate the job that every one of those people is doing.” — … — “Rep meetings on Zoom have actually been really great – seeing all those faces, hearing what else people are doing and going through. I used to be in patient care for years, so I really appreciate the job that every one of those people is doing.” — Tameka McDaniel Vasquez, Financial Clearance Rep

“She’s a hugger and I’m a hugger, and we haven’t been able to hug. This has been tough on us huggers.” —Angela Robert, MOA — “She’s a hugger and I’m a hugger, and we haven’t been able to hug. This has been tough on us huggers.” —Angela Robert, MOA

“Everyone has jumped in to help!”

— Prestine Frazier, Medical Admin Secretary, Employee Health

“We’re seeing people get better now, so that’s a really good feeling.” —Joel Masley, Respiratory Therapist — “We’re seeing people get better now, so that’s a really good feeling.” —Joel Masley, Respiratory Therapist

Tell Your Story

“Working with the union a lot, I’ve learned you have to get everyone together, you all have to have a clear understanding of the goal. Everyone has to be on board.” —Nancy Bellantoni, Lead Neurodiagnostic Technologist — “Working with the union a lot, I’ve learned you have to get everyone together, you all have to have a clear understanding of the goal. Everyone has to be on board.” —Nancy Bellantoni, Lead Neurodiagnostic Technologist

“Our patients can’t see our smiles behind our masks, but they can hear how much we care.” —Emily Anderson, PCA II — “Our patients can’t see our smiles behind our masks, but they can hear how much we care.” —Emily Anderson, PCA II

“I just want to say, ‘Kudos to everyone for how hard they are working,’” — Nancy Bickford, Unit Secretary — “I just want to say, ‘Kudos to everyone for how hard they are working,’” — Nancy Bickford, Unit Secretary

“Right now, we don’t have the usual trips across town for appointments in the evening, none of the usual sports teams. No rushing to get fast food. We’re eating all homemade meals and then enjoying our together-time in the evenings.” —Dianne Degon, … — “Right now, we don’t have the usual trips across town for appointments in the evening, none of the usual sports teams. No rushing to get fast food. We’re eating all homemade meals and then enjoying our together-time in the evenings.” —Dianne Degon, ASR