Intermountain Thanks ICU Nurses from New York and Celebrates a Collaborative Partnership Between Two of the Nation’s Premier Health Systems

As the last group of nurses from Northwell Health in New York leaves Salt Lake City after working in Utah and helping Intermountain Healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, Intermountain held a special event to thank the departing caregivers during a special ceremony on Friday. 

The 10 ICU nurses are among 30 nurses to come to Utah to work with Intermountain caregivers as part of a collaborative partnership to assist each other and share best practices and protocols for the treatment and support of COVID-19 and non-COVID patients. 

“This has been a great opportunity for both nurses from Intermountain and Northwell as we’ve learned from each other,” said Sue Robel, Intermountain Healthcare’s senior vice president of clinical operations and chief nursing executive. “This is a wonderful start for many great things to come and because this collaboration has been so successful, we will be looking for ways to work together in the future.” 

Last April, Intermountain deployed two COVID-19 Response Teams totaling 100 caregivers to assist New York City-area hospitals during that state’s major surge of COVID-19 cases. Those hospitals returned the favor when their surge subsided. 

Although Utah is not currently experiencing a surge of COVID-19 patients, these highly-trained ICU nurses from Northwell Health have supported ICU teams for the past six weeks as Intermountain teams have crossed trained and shared best practices to benefit patients, caregivers and the community.  

Northwell Health treated more than 70,000 COVID-19 patients during the height of the pandemic in New York, more than any other health system in the nation. 

The three groups of Northwell nurses spent two-week assignments working in the ICUs at Intermountain Medical Center.

“This has been such an interesting opportunity to see how other systems work,” said Northwell Health nurse, Ronni Kivovitz, RN. “A great nursing system transcends across different states. Intermountain sent us a group of nurses who saved our butts back in April.”

The visiting Northwell nurses said they enjoyed reconnecting with the Intermountain clinicians who went to New York, working with the patients, and exploring Utah during their off days, but had some advice for Utah residents.

“It was great to see people again who we worked with in New York,” said Northwell Health  nurse, Nancy Delassalle, RN. “My advice to Utahns, wear your mask! Coming from New York, you have to wear your mask. Distance. And be mindful of others around you.”

Robel also took the opportunity to celebrate and honor all nurses who have worked so hard during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“I have a deep respect for each of you and the importance of your work as you care for patients, as well as the great flexibility you have shown during these times of uncertainty,” said Robel.

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