Medical Technologist, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Ms. Mohammed worked tirelessly during the initial weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that blood bank staffing was adequate to care for the increasing number of critically ill patients admitted with COVID-19, while simultaneously maintaining adequate staffing to meet the needs of other hospitalized patients.
CEO, Malden YMCA
Reducing stigma associated with increased use of food pantries. Ms. Amaral created an online ordering system for food insecure families at the Mystic Community with funding from the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley. To date, the software she created has been accessed by 6,500 unique households in Malden, Medford and Everett. Future expansion is planned due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year, the Red Cross will honor the courageous service of all emergency professionals for their work responding to, transporting, and caring for COVID-19 patients. Emergency services professionals from several Boston area organizations will accept the Red Cross honor on behalf of their peers as a compelling video pays tribute to all professionals in the field. In a year when the coronavirus called many to act, it proved impossible for the American Red Cross to choose to just one hero to honor in this category.
Deputy Walsh protected Boston Fire Department staff by researching the impact of the Coronavirus on other fire departments nationwide. This intelligence prompted policy recommendations, which kept BFD staff healthy. Ideas such as siloing firehouses, suspending vacations and transfers, banning communal meals and cancelling certain trainings kept the team safe during the initial surge of the virus.
William Bosworth Castle Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard
Director, Center for Virology and Vaccine Research Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Dean, Brown University School of Public Health
To recognize the transformative role of Boston’s scientific community in the global fight to combat Coronavirus, the American Red Cross will honor two leading figures in public health. Dr. Dan Barouch is being honored as an ambassador to the scientific community. He will represent all scientists in the global quest to treat and cure COVID-19. Dr. Ashish Jha, a highly respected physician and educator, will be honored for apprising the public on the impacts COVID-19 through many informative television/media appearances.
Three friends relaxing near a public quarry last June noticed a civilian dive into the water and not resurface. Declan McAfee and Sonya Pina dove in to retrieve the victim who was unconscious. Once out of the water, McAfee and Chris Sobol performed CPR on the civilian who they revived while paramedics were en-route.
Street Outreach Unit
The Boston Police Outreach Unit employs community-based prevention/intervention strategies through in support of individuals with mental illness, substance abuse and homelessness concerns. In Nov 2020, officers assigned to the Street Outreach Unit (SOU) held a celebration commending six months of sobriety for one of their clients, “Bobby.” Bobby now has a support system, including the Police, to aid his recovery. This also includes housing and support for hBoston Police Department
Street Outreach Unit is emotional stability.
Executive Director, Home Base
Incident Commander for Boston Hope
Through teamwork, the “Boston Hope Medical Center,” was stood up as a 1,000-bed medical facility inside the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center to accommodate COVID-19 patients. Retired Brigadier General, Jack Hammond, initiated and led the operation at the request of Governor Charlie Baker. General Hammond is Executive Director of Home Base, a Boston Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital funded program that heals the invisible wounds of Veterans.
This year, the Red Cross will honor the courageous service of front-line nurses caring for COVID-19 patients in Greater Boston. Nurses from several Boston area hospitals, community hospitals as well as visiting nurses will accept this Red Cross honor on behalf of their peers as a compelling video pays tribute to all nursing professionals. In a year when COVID-19 shines a light on the leadership of nurses everywhere working to keep communities safe – the Red Cross commemorates the 200 birthday of its founder, nurse Clara Barton – and honor not just one nurse but all nurses as heroes in this distinguished category.
Student, Reading Memorial High School
Inspired by the coronavirus pandemic, Mikayla (age 16) organized food drives at the Washington Street Baptist Church in Lynn. She has donated over 60 bags of food and $300 to the food pantry in her town. This act demonstrates the power of community heroism. Honoring Mikayla will inspire her service to others going forward.