“Nothing can stop me from fulfilling my oath in taking care of the patients,” - Jay Lucas
Everything is for the patients. That is the mantra Jerry (Jay) Lucas has lived by while working at Western State Hospital amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Nothing can stop me from fulfilling my oath in taking care of the patients,” the forms and records analyst said.
Lucas, who has been with BHA for nine years, has worked every day during the crisis, coming in on weekends to do employee screening and help in any way he can.
“I will volunteer for everything because I want to show other people it doesn’t matter who you are, we’re on common ground,” he said. “I think that everybody makes a difference.”
Lucas can’t telework because his regular duties include document and video redaction, so he goes to the hospital at 5 a.m. to screen incoming workers, attends to his administrative work and returns to helping out until 5 p.m.
“I’m always tired,” he said, but exhaustion hasn’t worn him down to the point of easing back on the throttle to help the hospital’s patients and staff.
“People say you’re crazy. You’re here every day seven days a week,” Lucas said. “Someone has to be here. The patients have to be here seven days a week all day.”
Early on, Lucas shunned precaution and worked without a protective mask despite having infected staff and patients at the hospital. He said that wasn’t to be reckless, but because he has worked on the wards before and wants to show solidarity with the workers who did not have personal protective equipment.
And while he is concerned about potentially contracting the disease, Lucas continues to push forward with his mantra in mind.
“We dedicate ourselves to helping people out, and that should come first,” he said.
(By Rob Johnson)