PRHC - Thank You Photo Session Project - Peterborough, Ontario

At the beginning of this pandemic, a bunch of local Peterborough Photographers wanted to do something special to show our appreciation for our local health care workers. We got together and decided to offer free photography sessions for the front line staff and first responders at Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC). These complimentary sessions are being offered this fall, in September and October. 
I was privileged to meet Loretta and her husband. Loretta is a nurse who works in the Surgical Outpatient Department at Peterborough Regional Health Centre hospital. During the first wave of the pandemic, Loretta did not see her children and grandchildren for some time. She was actively working and supporting patients who came in for emergency surgeries.
Here is Loretta's story:  

"I am a Full-time RN in the Surgical Outpatient Dept. When Covid Restrictions first began at the Hospital & in the Community, it was a very scary time for everyone! This was unchartered territory. Fear of the unknown. Isolation! 
I work in Healthcare, my Husband crosses the border once or twice a week as an essential worker. We did not see our kids or grandkids for some time. We were able, Thankfully, to have Zoom Meetings. Then we graduated to social distance get togethers with our immediate family. It’s hard but we’ve adapted for the sake of everyone’s health.
At first surgery was put on hold except for emergencies. That meant that the patients we were now seeing were having surgery due to cancer diagnosis or had a diagnosis where surgery could not be delayed. These patients were coming into the hospital alone (due to visitor restrictions), nervous & scared! It was a very trying time for them & while my heart ached for them, I also felt privileged that I could be their personal support. It has been very difficult for families & Patients & we totally understand that. For the most part, everyone has been very understanding & compliant. 
PRHC, & Peterborough as a whole,  have stepped up their game & everyone has pulled together. We have learned from the rest of the world & ultimately been able to keep our numbers down. This is our new way of living for now & the immediate future....masking, physical distancing, & hand washing!
I’m proud of my coworkers, my work family. We’ve gradually worked through our anxieties re the unknown & supported each other tremendously. We are not in the clear re this Virus, but we’ve adapted to coping & doing our best!"