Hi, ’04s! I hope everyone continues to be physically and mentally healthy and safe during these very trying times in our nation’s history. From the Covid-19 pandemic to the continuing racial injustices we have all witnessed in these last few months, 2020 has not been for the faint of heart. But even in the most difficult of times, there is always hope and room to acknowledge those who are on the frontlines fighting to make the world a better place for all of us. So I want to take this opportunity to celebrate our ’04 heroes by sharing some of their stories below. Thank you for all that you are doing and do not forget that your classmates and the rest of the world are here cheering you on!

Rachel Bender Ignacio, assistant professor of infectious diseases at the University of Washington Medical School and the director of the university’s clinical AIDS trials, has been running the UW/Novartis study of hydroxychloroquine as a Covid-19 treatment—a badly needed, full-scale clinical trial.

Heather Tanana is the founder of the Indian law section of the Utah bar. Recently, she helped launch Utah Tribal Covid-19 Relief in partnership with various state agencies and other organizations to help Utah’s eight tribes during the pandemic. You can learn more and support her efforts at http://indianlaw.utahbar.org/covid-19-tribal-relief-fund.html.

Hemant Joshi is an anesthesiologist in Boston. He shares, “It’s tough taking care of these folks (intubating, putting in intravenous lines, etc.) in hot, space-suit-like contraptions while also not infecting or contaminating myself or my family when I leave the hospital. Unfortunately, I have realized I am the last face some patients see or voice they hear before they pass away, so that’s a heavy burden. I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to take care of these patients and also fortunate to have my job and health during these times, as there are many folks in much tougher situations.”

Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus, the company founded by Jesse Cameron-Glickenhaus and his dad, offered its Danbury, Connecticut, factory as an emergency overflow hospital space, though thankfully, it has not been needed. They also created a respirator mask that can be made using a full-face snorkeling mask.

Ben Wade is the senior vice president of strategy and marketing at Stamford Health, helping to lead the hospital’s response in a coronavirus hotspot.

The owner of Flower City Psychiatry, Allison Giordano is continuing to work with her child and adolescent patients using telemedicine.

Yan Somoza is a clinical psychologist with the Desert AIDS Project in Palm Springs, California. As one of the leaders in medical treatment in the areas, the Desert AIDS Project has stayed open during the pandemic to provide Covid-19 diagnoses. It has also expanded its behavioral health services, so, in addition to his usual patients, Yan is caring for frontline medical staff, patients impacted by a diagnosis of Covid-19, and the community at large.

Janos Marton is a civil rights lawyer and candidate for Manhattan district attorney living in New York City. Janos has been involved with the criminal justice movement there for many years and during these challenging months of protest has been in steady communication with elected officials, Black Lives Matter activists, and other community members trying to forward constructive changes.

Andy Foery is a speech-language pathologist in the Boston metro area. He works in nursing homes that have been utterly devastated by Covid-19. Now that the initial wave has passed in the region, he is focused on helping surviving residents recover any abilities that were lost during that time.

To all of my ’04s, continue to stay safe and be well!

—Johanna Thomas, 14 Logan Circle, NW, Washington, DC 20005; johannarthomas@gmail.com