Volunteers After Hours To Help COVID-19 Patients: Northbrook Hero

NORTHBROOK, IL — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented times. Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these everyday heroes.

This submission comes from Michael Daley, of MatrixCare, who nominated Maggie Matsas, of Northbrook:

Is the nominee considered an "essential worker"?:
Yes

What does the nominee do for work?:
Maggie is the Assistant Director of Nursing for Suncrest Home Health & Hospice in Northbrook.

Why do you believe the nominee should be recognized or honored?
From Maggie's nominator, Alison Rogers, her colleague: "Maggie is the type of leader who would never ask a member of her team to do something she wouldn't do herself. That's exactly what she did one night when a nurse was needed to admit two terminally ill patients diagnosed with Coronavirus onto our hospice service. Even though it was after hours and Maggie had already worked a full shift, she wasted no time in volunteering to care for the two COVID-19 positive patients needing hospice services. She stayed late into the night with our two patients and their caregivers and went above and beyond to make sure everyone was comfortable."

What’s one thing you want everyone to know about your hero?:
From Maggie's nominator, Alison Rogers: "Maggie's example has paved the way for other nurses and helped her entire team feel confident to brave this ever-changing pandemic. Maggie is the definition of calm confidence and is truly a nursing hero!"

Do YOU have a local hero you would like us to know about? Share their story here.

All photos included in this post are owned by identified third parties who have given Patch the right to use explicitly for the Patch Local Heroes series.

Past Northbrook Patch Local Heroes Stories

• 12-Year-Old Raises Funds To Buy Ventilator: Northbrook Hero
• Helps Feed People In Need: Northbrook Hero
• Sunset Foods Manager Works Tirelessly
• 'Miss Carol' Entertains Area Kids
• 'She Goes Extra Mile For Local Seniors'
• 'She Chooses To Be Kind'