Adventist Health Castle | Windward Health | Summer 2020

CONNECTING LOVED ONES One of the most heartbreaking impacts of the coronavirus pandemic is the inability of family and friends to visit their loved ones in the hospital, except for end-of-life support—and only one visitor at a time. Family gatherings in patient rooms were suspended when the hospital went into lockdown, but Castle’s Chapel is still open for family members—10 at a time—to spend time with a deceased loved one. “So much of our culture in Hawai‘i revolves around being present; we are so used to the A ‘RHE’ OF SUNSHINE Walking into Castle’s front lobby to check in for an outpatient procedure, visit a family member or enjoy a meal in The Bistro used to be simple. The coronavirus threat changed that. Castle’s enhanced public health protocols require all persons entering the hospital—the patients, Castle associates, vendors and other visitors—to stop at a screening station for a contactless temperature check and a series of travel- and health-related questions to get cleared for entry. Chances are, you will be greeted by the cheerful voice of Rheanna “Rhe” Stancil- Williams , a managed care associate who helps with the screenings. “How are you doing today? How are you feeling?” She asks before getting to the temperature check and questions. In the early days of her new assignment, being the first point of contact for all who entered was a little scary, she confides. There was still uncertainty about the virus, and guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the state health department often changed from day to day. But with sanitation precautions in place, protective mask requirements and a folder with daily updates on visitor guidelines, it didn’t take Rhe long to settle in to work that she loves. Growing up in a family of health care professionals and emergency responders, Rhe knew from a young age that she wanted to serve others in the health care field. In high school she volunteered as a greeter and transporter at Castle, and then she went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in public health. It was always her dream to work at Castle. Rhe says the most challenging part of being a screener is having to turn away family members who want to visit a loved one in the hospital or accompany a patient to an appointment. Visitors are largely restricted to patients in hospice care and must be accompanied by a Castle associate. That associate is often Rhe, whose positive attitude and genuine empathy comforts family members in the most difficult of times. Although Rhe’s mask hides her smile, it shines through in her voice and her eyes. “Sunshine,” a nickname from her co-workers, is well-earned. For Senior Chaplain Sara-May Colón (here with patient Simata Pavihi), carrying out Castle’s mission today means helping families and patients feel as connected as possible. CASTLE RISES UP Four at the front C OVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, brought heartache, uncertainty and loss to millions as it unfolded around the world. The pandemic also brought out the best in people, including the 1,100-plus associates throughout Adventist Health Castle’s hospital campus and clinics. We are proud to share these stories about some of those on the front lines at Castle who rose to the unprecedented challenges in the time of COVID-19 to bring hope, compassion and connection to our patients and their families and to their fellow associates.