This week is National Nurses Week and now more than ever, we appreciate the selfless acts of nurses near and far who have gone over and beyond to fight a virus that has rocked the world.
On Wednesday, May 6, Live with Kelly and Ryan’s “Helping Hero” segment hit close to home.
Enter Amy Llerena.
New Milford resident Amy Llerena is an ICU nurse who has worked at Danbury Hospital for nearly three decades. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this mom of three is working 12-hour shifts and serves as Clinical Liaison, the lifeline between patients, families and doctors.
Llerena was humble and gracious, admitting she was “star-struck” to be on the popular talk show with Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest. But, the show hosts quickly turned the tables. “You are our hero for a myriad of reasons,” said Kelly. “Not just because you’re a working mom and you raised your three kids, but because you are on the frontlines of this thing we’ve all been dealing with,” Kelly added.
When asked about what it was like being on the frontlines, Llerena spoke softly and candidly. “They are very long days, the patients are so sick, but it’s been a humbling experience to be at their bedside.”
The veteran nurse gave credit to her colleagues at Nuvance Health for their dedication and leadership and said it was all about teamwork and collaboration. “We tripled our ICU capacity,” said Llerena who was near tears when she told a story about a patient who was on a ventilator 28 days when he finally moved his fingers. “We have many success stories,” she said.
Kelly and Ryan closed the show by offering gratitude to Llerena and nurses everywhere and gifting Llerena $5,000. "... for anything you wish to use it for, Mother's Day gift from us, or anything," said Ryan.
