Nursing School Graduate Helps COVID Patients Communicate with Family at Washington Regional

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Washington Regional Medical Center recently recognized alumna Mariel Royan as a "Health Care Hero" on social media.

Royan, who graduated from the University of Arkansas' Eleanor Mann School of Nursing in 2018, is a communication nurse at the hospital. She helps patients with COVID-19 communicate with their families, sometimes for the last time.

"She represents all that is good about an EMSON nurse," said Susan Patton, head of the nursing department in the U of A College of Education and Health Professions. "We're so proud of Mariel."

Washington Regional recently posted a video interview with Royan, who urges community members to do what they can to stop the spread of the virus, which includes wearing masks, maintaining physical distance and washing hands.

In the video, Royan shares more about her job as a communication nurse during this unprecedented time.

"For those people that think the coronavirus is not a big deal, I really wish I could bring them on a shift with me," she says. "I wish they could see the patients that are alone, that are scared."

As a communication nurse, a new position she's taken on in the past few months, Royan makes multiple phone calls to families who aren't allowed to be at a loved one's bedside due to the virus. She offers updates, answers questions and essentially serves as a family's eyes and ears at the hospital.

"It's been hard, especially talking on the phone with family members of COVID patients," Royan said.

Royan often serves as a visitor to patients, chatting with them to keep their morale up. Some patients have to fight to speak between deep breaths.

In the video, Royan shared the story of a grandmother who felt she didn't have the strength to keep fighting. Royan was able to help the patient FaceTime with her sons, grandsons and granddaughters.

"We held hands and it was … it was beautiful," Royan said.

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