Macon Magazine

Ashley Burke and Amie Markel When bedside nurses Ashley Burke, RN-BC, and Amie Markel, LPN, joined the COVID-19 care team at Navicent Health, they didn't realize at first how overwhelming the job was going to be. "There were times where patients were really sick, and they couldn't see their family," Markel said. "A lot of stuff was happening, and they were just really sad. Having to put somebody in the ICU, and they're just having a hard time, seeing that a good bit was really hard." When Burke and Markel first started working in the COVID-19 unit, they had to do everything. Nurses were the only people allowed on the floor. They were the tech, nurse and lab. Nurses tried to limit their exposure time, so they would clean the room, get vital signs and feed the patient all in one visit. They wanted to be efficient and keep the patients and themselves safe. Burke has been a nurse for about six years, and Markel has been a nurse for about two years. They have worked together since they first started at Navicent Health, and they joined the COVID-19 care team together. "Their positive attitudes, smiling faces and willingness to help where needed create a warm and positive environment for patients and teammates alike," said Tracey Blalock, Navicent Health's chief nursing executive. "They have each expressed that they went to nursing school so they could make a difference, and they believe they are called to work with COVID-19 patients as part of that personal mission." Joining the COVID-19 care team was a sacrifice these young ladies were willing to make. They are socially distancing themselves from their families and volunteering for additional work shifts without hesitation. "Together, Ashley Burke and Amie Markel were instrumental in developing the processes needed for patient testing and care, and they have ensured those processes are followed," Blalock said. Burke and Markel said they wouldn't be able to do any of this if it wasn't for the team around them and the community supporting them every day. "We have a great team and team members who are willing to help you whenever you need it," Burke said. "I'm grateful for all the people who brought us food, snacks, crafts, little nick-knacks. All the local restaurants that brought us food, we are so happy for that. There were some days we didn't think we were going to eat."—Katie Marie O'Neal JUNE O'NEAL Like many folks, June O'Neal has been working from home. Unlike most of us, her garage is now a food pantry. With the Mentor's Project office currently closed, O'Neal, who heads the program, has been collecting, organizing and delivering food to those in need right from her driveway. "There are a lot of people who need food now who never needed it before, families whose unemployment paperwork hasn't come through or who used to work every day and are now laid off," O'Neal said. "Food insecurity seems to be one of the greatest needs during this pandemic." And where the need is great, O'Neal will go. Since 1990, the Mentor's Project has provided support and role models for underserved young people. What many of those young people need most now, she said, is food. "Food is our primary objective, but we're also encouraging mentors to stay in touch with their proteges by phone or text, because many of the children don't have internet access," she said. "My dad always taught me, you don't do what's easy, you do what's right. Feeding people during a pandemic is what's right." Northeast High School graduate Bobbi Atkinson has been in the Mentor's Project since seventh grade. She credited O'Neal with inspiring her to follow her dreams. "She really cares for the youth in Macon. Not a lot of kids have someone to have their back, who they can count on," Atkinson said. "During these hard times now, she's making sure families have food. She goes above and beyond and a lot of kids don't see that. But people who know her, know what she does." Meeting the need that's arisen because of COVID-19 is something that O'Neal said requires "walking in faith every day and thinking outside the box." She credited a dozen or more community organizations for pulling together during the pandemic to meet the changing needs of Macon's youth. And yet, she never credited herself: "I'm just thankful I'm able to do the little bit that I'm doing, and feeding children is what I know how to do."—Renee Corwine 5

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