#InThisTogether: 21 MAY 2020

With everything going on during the COVID-19 crisis, we wanted to share some of the stories about what Cook people are doing during this difficult time. All around the Cook world, we are #InThisTogether, and we would love to hear stories about how you and your coworkers are stepping up to make a difference. If you have a story to share, please email us at BlogEditor@CookMedical.com.

—

Checking in with a coworker and friend

By Jon Hancuff, manager, global Editorial Content for Corporate Marketing and Communications

Jon’s email

Tiffini Upchurch is a stock associate in the Americas Delivery Center (AMER DC) located across the parking lot from Park 48. I know her because, for the last several years, she has served as the Angiogram rep for that facility—and has even created graphics for us (she studied design in school). I sent her an email in mid-April to see how she was doing. Her response, which she said we could share, is below.

Tiffini’s reply

Hello! It’s great to hear from you, and thank you so much for checking in with me.

Things at AMER DC are still moving along, although we have seen a slight decrease in workflow ever since non-essential medical procedures were put on hold. Regardless, we still have plenty of orders to ship out, especially since most of them now are going to help with the COVID-19 crisis. This situation really puts our job into perspective, because it’s obvious to everyone now how much of a difference our whole team is making in the world.

It’s been a bit of a challenge to maintain social distancing, because my job as a puller can be somewhat compared to grocery shopping in that we gather products in order to ship them out. As I’m sure you’ve experienced in the last couple of months, keeping a safe distance in public is difficult enough, so hearing that we have to do our best to avoid one another in our building came as a bit of a shock in the beginning. However, management over here has been great at giving us floor guidelines in the aisles to adhere to as well as providing masks, gloves, and sanitizer to help keep things clean. It’s certainly been a new experience for everyone, but I think we’ve gotten the hang of it. I’m proud of my team for overcoming what I would have labeled an impossible task several months ago.

As far as I’ve been, I do miss the little things—sitting next to my co-workers at lunch or on break, having conversations that aren’t six-feet apart, and not having to constantly worry about some of the people I work with and their families. My brother was set to graduate from Edgewood High School this year, and he’s heartbroken that he won’t get the experience of walking across the stage. I’m hoping that for his and the many, many other graduates’ sakes, something someday can be done for them.

With all that said, I know we’ll pull through. I’ve seen the good side of my coworkers more than the bad. I recently sent an email to Ashley McGuire, (who coordinates the Angiogram) telling her the story about a coworker of mine who has been making masks for as many people as he can. However, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t eager to see everything back to normal. I have family I haven’t seen in more than a month, and I’d love to be able to eat out on Friday evenings again. Hopefully we can get there soon.

Sorry for rambling! I really do appreciate you checking in. I hope things are going okay for you, your team, and your families. Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay inside (as much as you can)! 😊

-Tiffini

—

Want to read more stories like this?

Click the images below to check out other Life@Cook blog posts.