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Covid-19 'Milestone': Respiratory Therapist Extubates First Patient In Two Weeks

A photojournalist at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, New Jersey caught a respiratory therapist at just the right time.

Holy Name Respiratory Therapist Brenda beams after extubating her first coronavirus patient after two weeks.

Holy Name Respiratory Therapist Brenda beams after extubating her first coronavirus patient after two weeks.

 Photo Credit: Jeff Rhode
Holy Name Respiratory Therapist Brenda beams after extubating her first coronavirus patient after two weeks.

Holy Name Respiratory Therapist Brenda beams after extubating her first coronavirus patient after two weeks.

 Photo Credit: Jeff Rhode
Cecilia Levine
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Jeff Rhode had minutes to spare while working his way from the 6th floor to the second, the ICU when he stumbled upon Brenda "taking a much-needed break" on Wednesday, March 25.

The health care worker was on a phone call staring at the New York City skyline, Rhode said.

"After a polite 'hello,' she told me: 'It's not a sunny day, but it is a great day,' with a smile," the photographer said. "The first patient since the craziness started two weeks ago had been extubated -- a milestone."

The breathing tube had been removed.

The patient told Brenda how M&Ms were her weakness, and seemed happy, Rhode wrote.

"Thinking about this day is the first time I've actually broken down," Rhode said.

Follow Holy Name Medical Center on Facebook or Rhode on Instagram for more vignettes like this one.

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