Let's Thank These Two Fords Nurses!

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — Earlier this week, Patch asked our readers to nominate local coronavirus heroes, people who are going above and beyond during this time, and may not necessarily get the recognition they deserve.

And two front-line healthcare workers who live in the Fords section of Woodbridge have been nominated.

Katie Botti works as a hospital pharmacy technician at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank; she was nominated by a co-worker at Riverview.

Why do you believe the nominee should be recognized?

Katie has been a longtime Woodbridge resident and an active mom at School 14 for her kids. Now she is helping battle COVID-19 on the front lines while working at Riverview Medical Center, and is still caring for her family.

She’s even picked up extra shifts at Riverview to ease the burden of short staffing related to COVID and other factors. She’s an excellent technician, friend and mom. She’s truly a selfless hero in these times. Thank you for all you do!

What’s one thing you want everyone to know about your hero?

She is selfless, kind and brave.

And Fords resident JoAnne Bedenek nominated her sister, Janet Coyle, who also lives in Fords. Coyle works as a registered nurse at JFK Medical Center in Edison.

Why do you believe the nominee should be recognized or honored?

She tirelessly and selflessly worked long hours caring for COVID-19 patients, ensuring their care, dignity and safety to the end. She worked even when was sick herself, distanced herself from her family and sacrificed for their safety.

What’s one thing you want everyone to know about your hero?

She is a humble woman who would never boast about her job or the work she does. She is kind and patient, empathetic and strong. She advocates daily for her patients and is dedicated to her profession. She is team player, always there for her coworkers and a great friend to them.

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.