We asked that you share the stories of your warriors that are going to work each day during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you for sharing your stories, we have enjoyed learning about your family and friends and what they are doing to bring us all to a better tomorrow, we appreciate all that they are doing. If you would like to share your warrior with us please email us at submit@irishamerica.com.
Ken Brophy
Ken Brophy is a Perioperative Care Equipment Specialist in Neurosurgery at Mount Sinai Hospital. COVID-19 upended the usual workflow within the department and all elective procedures were postponed, but some emergency procedures were still necessary, so Ken was at the hospital each day. A large portion of the staff and equipment was redeployed to help assist in the fight against Coronavirus. Ken and his team at Mount Sinai are hopeful that the hospital and community-wide efforts will bend the curve and get NYC back on track.
Thank you to Ken and the Perioperative Care Team for everything they have done over the past few months. We hope you are all healthy and safe and getting some much deserved rest.
Richard Straub
Warrior Lieutenant Richard Straub or Rich from from Empress EMS in Yonkers, NY. Rich is the epitome of a healthcare hero. As the Operations Supervisor he and his team have worked tirelessly since the onset of COVID-19 in lower Westchester County and the North Bronx as the first line of defense as he interacts with patients prior to them arriving to the hospital.
Thank you to Rich and his team for being one of the first responders a patient interacts with as they head to the hospital during this uncertain and scary time.
Jodi Ippolito Conway
Today we give a shout out to Jodi Ippolito Conway a dedicated nurse at Columbia University/New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York City.
There aren’t enough positive adjectives to describe Jodi. She is, and has always been, a kind, warm-hearted, thoughtful, caring person, and a wonderful friend to so many people! She is working in the front lines of this pandemic. Thank you, Jodi, for being the amazing, selfless person you are. Our world is so much better with people like you in it! Please stay safe!
Thanks to the Sullivan Family for sharing Jody with us.
Lauren and Chris Siciliano
Today’s warriors are husband and wife team Lauren O’Neill Siciliano and 
Christopher Siciliano. Chris is with the NYPD on the Detective Squad in the 28th precinct in Harlem and Lauren is a nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Lenox Hill Hospital.
Chris and Lauren continue to work on the front lines everyday in the epicenter of the pandemic as they are expecting their first child in August.
Congratulations Lauren and Chris! Please stay safe and thank you for being on the job everyday to take care of your patients and New York City.
Kate Ulrich
Eileen shared with us her sister Kate from Duke University Medical Center. Thanks Eileen for sharing Kate’s story and thank you Kate for working to keep everyone safe.
Kate Ulrich, warrior wife, mother, and nurse. Kate has been a nurse in the perioperative and ICU settings for over 25 years and is currently the Vice President of Nursing, Perioperative Services at Duke University Medical Center. Kate is responsible for 65 operating rooms and associated perianesthesia services across the organization. Kate and her team of healthcare professionals are working around the clock to during the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping patient and staff safety first and foremost.
Please stay home for Kate and all the fierce warriors at Duke Hospital working to keep everyone safe!
Maureen Karmondy
Barbara sent us the story of her sister Maureen who works with kids fighting cancer and their families. Thank you Maureen for everything you do for the kids and their families to make life a little more bearable during a very difficult time in their lives.
My sister, Maureen is my hero and a true warrior. She works at Nemours AI Dupont Hospital for Children in Delaware in the Hematology and Oncology Department. Maureen is there every day assisting patients and their families to get their vital appointments they need scheduled in order to continue with their treatments.
Maureen is also part of a team that organizes a day of beauty and a prom for the kids to be able to enjoy themselves away from treatment and the hospital. I thank my sister for her devotion and compassion for the children and their families.
Colleen Gordon
Colleen Lynady Gordon can be found working long hours at the courtesy desk at ShopRite in Pearl River, NY. In addition Colleen is a wife and Mom of two. Colleen has been with ShopRite for 24 years and her loyalty to her family, friends, colleagues, and customers can be seen everyday no matter if you see her at the store or run into her in the street.
Grocery stores are essential for everyone and the associates that go to work everyday are not sure what each day will hold for them during this difficult time. Colleen we appreciate you and your colleagues for being on the job everyday so that the rest of us can get what we need and to stay safe in the process. Thanks to Beth Lynady Siciliano for sharing her sister Colleen’s story with us.
James Slevin
Firefighter James Slevin is our warrior for today. We learned about Jim from his sister Eileen Turnbull.
I want to share my warrior, my favorite brother James Slevin. Jim is assigned to FDNY Engine Co 16, Ladder Co 7 in Manhattan. Jim is the 1st District Vice President International Association of Firefighters and also served as the Vice-President of the Uniformed Firefighters Association for four terms. During his tenure in these roles Jim has lobbied for the improved health, safety, and welfare of firefighters. Jim is married to Corinne and the father of Colin, Kyleigh, and Reagan.
Thank you Jim for what you do for your fellow firefighters and for the City of New York and thank you Eileen for sharing Jim’s story with us.
Firefighter James Slevin is our warrior for today. We learned about Jim from his sister Eileen Turnbull.
I want to share my warrior, my favorite brother James Slevin. Jim is assigned to FDNY Engine Co 16, Ladder Co 7 in Manhattan. Jim is the 1st District Vice President International Association of Firefighters and also served as the Vice-President of the Uniformed Firefighters Association for four terms. During his tenure in these roles Jim has lobbied for the improved health, safety, and welfare of firefighters. Jim is married to Corinne and the father of Colin, Kyleigh, and Reagan.
Thank you Jim for what you do for your fellow firefighters and for the City of New York and thank you Eileen for sharing Jim’s story with us.
Maryellen Concannon
Maryellen Concannon is a lab tech in New Hampshire continuing to process tests each day for those in need of results for COVID-19 as well as tests that are run everyday. Thank you Seamus for sharing Maryellen’s story with us and thank you Maryellen. Stay safe!
The lab tech is an unsung hero in the COVID19 crisis, running the analyzers testing for the virus. While elective surgeries in the US are on hold, there are many patients still being treated for cancer and other diseases. They and the COVID-19 patients all needed tests done. Maryellen Concannon is a medical technologist at the Elliot Hospital in Manchester NH, an hour north of Boston. A proud Irish-American and Northeastern University graduate, Maryellen’s maiden name was O’Sullivan and she is the granddaughter of farmers from the Kenmare area in County Kerry. She is one of seven siblings, many of which are in health care.
Casey Flynn Barrett
Maura Sheehan Barrett shared the story of her daughter-in-law Casey Flynn Barrett an RN working in Albany, NY. Thank you Maura for sharing Casey with us and thank you Casey for everything you do everyday for your patients and everyone.
I would like to tell you about our daughter-in-law, Casey Flynn Barrett. She is an RN working in the busy Emergency Room at Albany Medical Center Hospital in Albany, NY. Casey married our son, Seamus Barrett, a 3rd year medical student at Albany Medical College, 7 months ago. Her dedication and ability to keep a calming presence as the coronavirus has hit our state is nothing short of amazing. Concerns for herself take the back burner. She is right in the thick of it in the ER, where patients are constantly being tested for the virus. We are so proud of her dedication and pray for her safety every day.
Mike McCaw
Dave Aldrich from Grab The Torch, with offices at Horace Mann School shared the story of Mike McCaw and his team of security officers at Horace Mann. Thank you Mike and team for what you do everyday to protect the Horace Mann community.
Mike has been Director Of Public Safety since 2008. He has a staff of 22 full time and 6 part time. Mike served NYPD for 21 years, Retired Captain, 6 years at NYU Security, 1 year at Mount St. Vincent College Security. Mike’s Horace Mann Staff is comprised of 14 Irish American’s from NYPD, State Court System, NYFD and Orangetown. Mike and his team work in conjunction with NYPD, Fire and EMS. Horace Mann not only covers the 4 campuses with 24 hour manned patrols, but has close to 600 cameras on campus and abutting Riverdale streets, Manhattan College, HM’s Outdoor Leadership campus in CT, along with the playing fields of Van Cortlandt Park protecting the HM students and others enjoying VCP. They monitor the police frequency and have an emergency frequency with Manhattan College. As Mike said “my responsibility isn’t limited to the students of Horace Mann, 450 staff, teachers, administrators and visiting families. Horace Mann is committed to be a responsible community partner. I take great joy in welcoming and keeping the children of Summer on The Hill, Kingsbridge Heights Community Center, and Mosholu Montefiore Community Center safe at all times. As a Bronxite myself, I’ve been committed to the Bronx my entire life.” Born, raised and educated through college at Lehman, it was Mike who single handily fought for the traffic light on Tibbett and W246th, making the neighborhood safe for all. Dr. Tom Kelly, Head of School recently said ” where would we be without Mike during this challenging chapter” Mike humbly replied ” safety first, it’s my life’s passion, after living in 7 different sections of the Bronx, it makes my work all the more enjoyable.” Mike is entering John Jay Criminal Justice in the fall for his MA.
Jennifer Rose Pennimpede
Tony C, a Westchester County Police Officer sent the story of his fiancé and warrior, Jennifer Rose Pennimpede working everyday for her patients and others to bring some level of comfort. Thank you Jen for all you do everyday.
One of the ultimate warriors in my life is my Jennifer Rose. Jen is still working hard as an Eco Technician (ultrasounds of the heart and stress tests) at NYP Hudson Valley Cardiology in Peekskill, NY.
Jen still goes to work every day, canceling time off and vacation to help those who need it during the COVID-19 outbreak. Jen is an amazing, strong, caring and giving person that never says “NO” a person that always puts others needs in front of her own. Always looking out for her fellow workers and patients especially during this uncertain time we are in. As an Eco Tech you are hands on, face to face with the patients, trying to keep them calm while making sure they are getting the medical treatment they need. During this time of CORVID-19 when PPE is limited and desperately needed for medical personnel and first responders, Jen and her co-workers continue to treat the healthy and sick with limited supplies, willing to put their health in jeopardy to help others.
As you know most hospitals will not allow any visitors for any reason so Jen, a caring person and faithful catholic has offered to sit and spend time with patients in the hospital who are extremely sick or who are getting ready to pass so they will not be alone. Jen is the person who never looks for credit or accolades, she is a doer, silent leader, a person who wants the best for everyone.
I don’t say it enough, but I worry about her, but at the same time I’m proud that she is out there doing what she loves, caring and helping people.
Oh, by the way If she knew I was writing this I would get in big trouble.
In response to the shout out from Irish America Jen responded.
Mary Lynch-Reynolds
Frank Reynold’s shared the story of his warrior, his wife Mary Lynch-Reynolds. Thank you Mary for all that you do everyday.
Hospital clinical administrators aren’t discussed as front-line warriors and although they can stay out of the operating room, the hospital clinical administrators are one on one with patients every day.
My beautiful wonderful Irish wife Mary Lynch-Reynolds is a daily warrior. As she leaves for work each day it’s an emotional experience for all as we worry we could be quarantined from each other at any moment.
We are in this TOGETHER!!
STAY HOME, STAY SAFE!