Open MenuHide Menu
  • Test Facebook
  • Test Linkedin
  • Test Youtube
  • Test Instagram
  • Search Jobs
  • Upcoming Events
  • Job cart
search icon
Northwell Careers
  • Search jobs
  • About us
    • Our culture
    • Benefits
    • Career Experience
    • Alumni Network
    • Locations
  • Career specialties
    • Advanced Clinical Provider
    • Cancer
    • Clinical Care
    • Culinary
    • Executives
    • Home Health Aides
    • Information Technology
    • Laboratory
    • Nursing
      • Externships, Fellowships and Nurse Residency Programs
      • Perioperative – Pre-Surgical, OR, PACU, Endoscopy
    • Physicians
    • Professional / Technical / Support
    • Research
  • Temp jobs
  • Students
  • Veterans
  • Inclusion and Belonging
  • Careers blog
  • Sign In
  • Create a Talent Profile
The angel of environmental services
You are here: Home / The angel of environmental services / Clinical Support / The angel of environmental services

The angel of environmental services

Written by: John Baez, Environmental Service Worker, Staten Island University Hospital 

Environmental services is much more than keeping a clean environment. We are helping keep patients and their families remain comfortable.

I’ve faithfully worked for Staten Island University Hospital for 11 years, and travel three hours each way from my home in Yonkers on public transportation to help care for patients.

I’m not a clinical care provider, but my dedication to patient safety in the Environmental Services (EVS) Department is what I strive for. My coworkers and I are at the top of our field when it comes to bedside manner and being spirited patient professionals.

Unfortunately, our team is no stranger to a crisis. We saw the hospital through the evacuation ahead of Hurricane Irene, the aftermath from Superstorm Sandy the following year and even the Ebola crisis in 2014.

But COVID-19 was something entirely different and something we never faced before. It put the EVS team on the front line to help contain and eliminate the virus, which tested all of our abilities.

When the crisis was at its peak, I remember seeing one case after the other. People begging for their life, “I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe.” Before coronavirus, I would always try to befriend and comfort the patients. During the crisis, I showed them love when their loved ones couldn’t be at their bedside.

Then there was one day that would change me forever.

The faithful man

It was a regular day, and then one of patient care associates (PCAs) told me that this person is going to pass away. I knew the patient. I met her days earlier.

It was the end of my shift and I was ready to take my first bus home, but I said to myself “I can’t let this woman pass alone. I’m going to be there for her.”

I walked into the room and leaned over the patient and said, “It’s me, John. If you hear me, squeeze my finger. She did. I told her I want you to go with God. I want you to relax and once you see the light, I want you to go to it. I’m going to hold your hand until you go.”

The PCA cried alongside me.

I told the patient I would pray for her. On her third breath, she passed.

The doctor came in and checked her vitals, and confirmed what I already knew — she was gone.

I took the two busses and three trains home, replaying the day in my head. It’s always going to be with me and sad that she couldn’t have a loved one with her, but I couldn’t let her die alone.

I did what many health care heroes battling COVID-19 did: make the patients their second family and be their loved one.

During this crisis, my mother was begging me to quit because we’re dealing with something that’s new and scary. But we all have to be here. It’s our job. It’s what we signed up for.

John Baez works in the Environmental Services Department at Staten Island University Hospital.

Share this entry

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Linkedin
  • Share by Mail

Subscribe to our blogs

Stay up to date with stories you want to know more about right to your email inbox.

Newsletter

Subscribe to our blogs

Stay up to date with stories you want to know more about right to your email inbox.

Newsletter

Search Jobs
Begin typing to find suggestions.
Start typing a location to get suggestions, then press the down arrow to select one.*Please select location from the dropdown

Recent Posts

  • A Journey Through Learning and Career Growth: Meet Tiana, Assistant Nurse Manager, Emergency Department
  • From registered nurse to senior director of patient care, discover a rewarding career path in nursing at Northwell Health.
  • From U.S. Marine to behavioral health nurse: Kevin Vargas-Colon’s journey at Northwell Health
  • Discover Diedre’s career journey in nursing leadership at Northwell Health
  • From rehabilitation services aide to a registered respiratory therapist, discover a new career path at Northwell Health.

Categories

  • Academia and Research
  • Administrative Support
  • Advance Clinical Providers
  • Business
  • Career Advice
  • Career Paths
  • Clinical Care
  • Clinical Laboratory Science
  • Clinical Support
  • Culinary and Hospitality
  • Culture
  • EVS
  • Featured Articles
  • General Management
  • Human Resources
  • Imaging
  • Inclusion and Belonging
  • Information Technology
  • Mentorship
  • Nursing
  • Operations
  • Patient and Customer Experience
  • Pharmacy
  • Rehabilitation Services
  • Revenue Cycle
  • Social Services
  • Students and Internships
  • Veterans
  • Wellness & Benefits

Archives

  • May 2025
  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • June 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • January 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019

Archives

  • May 2025
  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • June 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • January 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
Contact us
If you are an individual with a disability requesting an accommodation for the application process, please click the contact us link above to request assistance.

Learn more about our hiring experience.
Read answers to common questions about the application process.
© 2021 - Northwell Health
It is Northwell Health’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity and treat all applicants and employees equally regardless of age, race, creed/religion, color, national origin, immigration status, or citizenship status, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, sex/gender, gender identity, gender expression, height, weight, disability, pregnancy, genetic information or genetic predisposition or carrier status, marital or familial status, partnership status, victim of domestic violence, their or their dependent’s sexual or other reproductive health decisions, or other characteristics protected by applicable law.
Northwell Health reserves the right to amend all terms of employment.
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
  • Northwell team members search and apply here
  • Recruitment Fraud Notice
  • About us
  • Career Specialties
  • Temp jobs
  • Students
  • Veterans
  • Inclusion and Belonging
  • Careers Blog
  • Privacy Policy
Formerly homeless veteran turned nursing hero is giving back to our communities... nursing veteran project management northwell health Join the next generation of leadership at Northwell Health
Scroll to top