OT 'Bravely, Faithfully' Treats Nursing Home Patients: Patch Hero

READING, MA — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented times. Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these everyday heroes.

This submission comes from Jim McGrath, who nominated his daughter-in-law, Rachel Catalogna McGrath, an occupational therapist who treats elderly patients at a local nursing home.

Where the nominee lives:

Reading

Where the person who nominated the hero lives:

Reading

Name of the nominee:

Rachel Catalogna McGrath

Name of the person who nominated the hero:

Jim McGrath

Is the nominee considered an "essential worker"?

Yes

What does the nominee do for work?

Occupational Therapist

Why do you believe the nominee should be recognized or honored?

Every day, bravely and without complaint, she faithfully goes to work to treat her elderly patients at a local nursing home, the last place one wants to be during this awful pandemic!

What's one thing you want everyone to know about your hero?

In April, she contracted Covid-19 and was quite ill for two weeks! But when she recovered, despite not knowing for sure if she was now immune from another infection, she did not hesitate to return to work! When asked why she would again flirt with danger, she replied that she felt she owed it to her patients and to her co-workers!