Front-Line Fighters: Profiles Of Coronavirus Local Heroes

MANHASSET, NY — As Long Islanders practice social distancing and make personal sacrifices as part of the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, many look to those on the front lines as inspiration. Patch will be highlighting Long Islanders who are going above and beyond in their work and community to help during the COVID-19 health crisis.

Kristina Zuvich nominated her friend Liz O'Rourke, from Massapequa, who is an intensive care unit nurse at North Shore Manhasset Hospital. Zuvich told Patch how O'Rourke's efforts have made a tremendous impact on her COVID-19 patients.

"Liz has always been an exceptional person; however, this crisis has truly revealed what an amazing and selfless soul she is. As soon as this crisis hit, she and her colleagues immediately sprung into action, going above and beyond the call of duty for their patients. In response to visiting privileges being restricted hospital-wide, Liz put out a call on Facebook to family and friends of those affected: Let me help by visiting your loved ones to be that comforting presence where you cannot be."

O'Rourke and other nurses at North Shore Manhasset Hospital worked overtime to visit patients, talking to them, holding their hands and helping them connect to their loved ones on FaceTime. For the most severely ill who were intubated and sedated, the nurses held phones up to the patients' ears so they could hear the voices of their family members.

O'Rourke's efforts caught the attention of the national news media, and she was featured on CNN and "Live With Kelly and Ryan." O'Rourke's initial Facebook post was shared over 700 times the first week, as family members searched for ways to communicate with their sick loved ones.

Zuvich said her friend's sacrifices go beyond her work at the hospital.

"At the heart of all of this is Liz’s love of her profession and her patients. She is the mother of three beautiful children under 6. Liz’s husband, Frank, is also working on the front line of the coronavirus crisis. Frank is a New York City police officer and a member of the elite Emergency Services Unit. Since the outset of the outbreak, Liz and her husband Frank have ceased relying on family support to help care for their children lest they unknowingly subject their older parents to potential illness. Liz is an example of the very best of us, giving of herself to benefit those most in need."

O'Rourke and two friends have created a GoFundMe to raise funds to buy and collect iPads to distribute to hospitals across New York so isolated COVID-19 patients can connect digitally to their support networks of loved ones.

If you know someone who should be featured—a health care worker, a first responder, a volunteer or anyone making a difference— email us at jboydsweet@gmail.com to nominate your local hero.