This article relates how Sr. Julie Crane, SP from the Sisters of Providence in Holyoke, MA was ready, willing and able to use her skills to assist in Covid testing.

Sr. Julie Crane, SP, a nurse practitioner, is always ready for a new challenge.  When she heard that Providence Place, the Sisters of Providence 119-unit independent living facility, was seeking a nurse to help with rapid testing for Covid 19, Sr. Julie responded immediately that she would be willing to serve.

Richard Pelland, executive director, was delighted to hear the news.  He already had the BD Veritor Plus System and 17 kits (30 test/kit) for sample collection for SARS-CoV-2, which provides a “quick test” and gives results in 15 minutes.  Those who test positive must have the more complex PCR test that involves sample analysis in a laboratory.  Mr. Pelland’s problem was that he had no one trained to do the sample collection.

Sr. Julie was willing to be trained to carry out the procedure.  A session was planned for one-on-one education by a locally trained nurse, Lori Hannah, RN, where Sr. Julie learned how to use Personal Protective Equipment and execute the steps in carrying out the sample collection and analysis procedure.  In addition, she was able to take an online training course offered by the manufacturer.  With training completed, Sr. Julie was ready to offer testing for staff and the approximate 120 Providence Place residents as needed.  

Asked why she volunteered, Sr. Julie said, “I am eager to assist in this project because it is important for people to know if they test negative or positive…I am just happy to be able to do whatever I can to get this virus under control.”

Always ready to be of help, in the fall of 2019, Sr. Julie had travelled to the US-Mexican border in San Benito, Texas to spend two weeks at La Posada Providencia working with the Sisters of Divine Providence, Marie de la Roche Province, who had established the shelter three decades ago and worked with immigrants coming across the border.  Earlier Sr. Julie worked in a variety of settings from providing health care for migrant workers traveling up and down the East Coast to founding a heath care program for the homeless or volunteering with the Red Cross in areas of need.  

As the pandemic continues across the globe, testing is still necessary and being done.  I’m sure Sr. Julie is ready for any task that might present itself in the future!  

Barbara McMullen, CDP