SJM Grad One of Many Frontline Workers Fighting Pandemic

Ally Bourdet '07 is one of many SJM alumni working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bourdet works in the trauma ICU in downtown Fresno at Community Regional Medical Center as a nurse.

"I started back from maternity leave in March, which was when COVID really hit," she said. "We were still really unsure of it but we were preparing in every way possible. We were disaster planning, which included getting refitted for our n95 masks, stocking up on PPE, opening potential surge units and having weekly meetings regarding our plan and where we were going to house these patients. We still have weekly meetings and are still adapting to all the changes we need to. Our numbers have been slowly decreasing but we are still taking every precaution and implementing changes as we learn."

Bourdet said that her Memorial education meant she was prepared for a tough career.

"Memorial has prepped me with the proper knowledge, as well as the drive, to continue to further my education and become a nurse," she said. "I never really saw college as an option and I am thankful that I was given the opportunity to attend!"