Pictured is former Elmhurst resident and York grad Ashley Thorpe safely behind a mask, while working at Elmhurst Hospital in Queens, NY, known as the Epicenter of the COVID-19 Coronavirus. Workers from across the U.S. have come to help but are having trouble getting supplies and taking care of their own selves at an under-supplied and overwhelmed hotel where they are staying. To help, Thorpe started a GoFundMe page. To contribute, visit: gofundme.com/f/supporting-travel-to-new-york-nurses-amp-doctors. An abbreviated link is cutt.ly/ZtUlqjC (case sensitive).
York grads, now adults, work at Elmhurst Hospital – in New York!
By Dee Longfellow
For The Elmhurst Independent
Two York grads are currently serving at Elmhurst Hospital in Queens, New York in the thick of things, with regards to the COVID-19 Coronavirus. The hospital has been referred to as the “Epicenter.”
On March 26, York graduate Anastasia Talarico Zvonek (class of ’07), now a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), signed on through Krucial Staffing to help in New York. Within a day, she had borrowed 16 sets of blue scrubs and traveled from her home in Minneapolis to New York City to share her expertise.
When asked why she would head to the U.S. epicenter of the COVID-19 Coronavirus, Anastasia said, “I’m happy to help, I feel like I have been training for this my whole life. Time for the rubber to meet the road.”
Upon arrival, York classmate Ashley Thorpe, now living in Brooklyn, NY, called Anastasia to see if she could help.
“What started as an idea to get Anastasia a care package quickly turned into a relief effort for the entire hotel [where she was staying],” Ashley said. “Thousands of healthcare providers in New York are not being taken care of right now, especially those who traveled here to support us.”
When the workers arrived, the hotel had not anticipated the extensive laundry requirements. After COVID-19 exposure all day, the workers had no safe way to shed their scrubs. One of Ashley’s first deliveries included more than 400 garbage bags for soiled scrubs.
The hotel’s three restaurants were all closed, so obtaining healthy meals for workers became a priority. Distributing meals with no hotel staff posed an equally pressing challenge.
Campaign launched to help for extra workers
A GoFundMe campaign was launched on March 29 with a goal of $2,500. The goal is now at $25K and will likely rise.
“You can’t believe how far this money doesn’t go,” Ashley said.
Additional initial supplies consisted of a microwave and mini fridge, jet boil teakettles, oatmeal and Emergen-C packets, paper goods and coffee. Limited supplies of N95 masks and nitrile gloves were delivered and Anastasia’s co-worker from home sent a face shield.
Both Caroline Koch, Fenwick class of 2006, and Joanna McEvoy Crespino, YHS 2007, have been helping Ashley to coordinate efforts. Anastasia’s husband, Chase Zvonek, arrived on Saturday to, “manage coordination of everything for us in the hotel lobby.”
“Morale couldn’t be worse there,” he said. “The hotel is doing their best but is understaffed and overwhelmed, and healthcare workers are exhausted from 12-hour shifts. Some who flew in with Anastasia have already dropped out of the program.”
“Having Chase there will give us boots on the ground and hopefully, help immensely,” Anastasia said.
Since his arrival, Chase has become the point person coordinating logistics for the hotel and the staffing company. He has now set up the common area so the nurses can access the supplies.
“Shifts are long and the bus schedules for transportation to the hospital add several hours to the workday,” he said. “No one had the time or energy left to even accomplish what it took me a few hours to get done. I am really glad I am here to help.”
“The single largest contribution to the fund, over $600, was made by a group of New York doctors in gratitude for the traveling helpers,” said Caroline. “Facebook circulation has resulted in much support from home and it is making a big difference in both morale and financial momentum.”
These young women asked the Independent to emphasize the following: “While your donation would mean a lot, we beg you to first — take this seriously. Stay inside. Check-in on the mental health of your loved ones and your neighbors. Rally around healthcare professionals and essential workers. Make us proud, Elmhurst.”
More about Anastasia Talarico Zvonek and Ashley Thorpe…
Both of these young women were active with the American Cancer Society Relay For Life during their high school careers. Both were City of Elmhurst Distinguished Service Award recipients and both have both been recognized by ACS for their contributions to the Relay For Life.
Retired Relay Chair Anne Sullivan remembers writing letters of recommendation for Anastasia for admission to COD for their Honors Scholarship program.
“Shortly afterwards, I wrote another one for the UIC Nursing program,” she said. “[Anastasia] graduated from there in 2011 with honors and I know that, because I then wrote a third letter leading up to her acceptance and eventual graduation from the Mayo Clinic School of Nurse Anesthesia in Rochester in 2017. She graduated with honors from there as well and I have always admired and respected her remarkable maturity and resourcefulness. I marvel at what she is doing and am so happy to have supported her through Ashley’s GoFundMe.”
Sullivan had similar memories of Ashley.
“As for Ashley,” Anne said, “I have two favorite recollections. In 2003, as an 8th grader, she spoke at our Relay kickoff to a record-breaking crowd at The Renaissance in Oakbrook and she nailed it. She gave that compelling speech dozens of times and played a significant role in the revitalization of our Relay.
“In September 2006, she was appointed as the youngest ACS Ambassador to Congress as part of our Illinois Delegation for the ACS Celebration on the Hill in Washington, DC. Ashley has been a go-getter all her life.”
This year’s Relay for Life cancelled
“Our 2020 Relay has been postponed due to COVID-19 and while I so wish these two could be here to help us keep up momentum – I know they are where they can make a far bigger contribution. New York is fortunate to have them.”
How to help…
To contribute to the GoFundMe campaign, visit: gofundme.com/f/supporting-travel-to-new-york-nurses-amp-doctors. An abbreviated link is cutt.ly/ZtUlqjC (case sensitive)
