| Caring
Beyond
Boundaries
Staff Member Goes Beyond Job Duties
and Geography to Comfort Patient
Marwa
Naim has endured more in her 12 short years than most adults
experience in a lifetime.
In 2003, an air strike destroyed her family home in northern
Baghdad. The blast killed her mother, instantly turning Marwa,
the eldest daughter, caretaker of her three siblings. The
blast also maimed Marwa, including ripping away her entire
nose.
Unable to afford the complex reconstructive surgery that could
repair her face, Marwa’s future looked particularly
difficult. Fortunately, several humanitarian organizations
banded together and flew Marwa to UCLA Medical Center for
treatment. While the Divisions of Plastic and Reconstructive
Surgery and Dermatology specialists tended to Marwa’s
physical repair, Theresa Moussa, stepped well beyond her duties
as a patient coordinator for UCLA Hospital System’s
International Relations Department and nurtured a close bond
to Marwa, becoming her translator, companion and surrogate
mother. |
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How
did you develop such a close relationship with Marwa?
It comforted Marwa that we could speak Arabic together.
She faced four months and four surgeries in a foreign
country without the solace of a family member. She gratefully
let me calm her fears, loneliness and confusion.
How
did you cheer up Marwa and make her feel less lonely?
She spent several weekends at my home in Chatsworth
where she relaxed and blossomed like a typical girl
her age. We stayed up late putting makeup on each other,
visited her new favorite place: Universal Studios, swam
and most of all, talked about her home, family and future.
One
morning I woke up to find Marwa sleeping on my chest.
Often she seems so mature for her age, but this reminded
me that she’s still a child, one that misses her
family and her mother.
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As
an patient coordinator, do you often develop close ties
to your patients?
I arrange for patients in the Middle East to receive
medical care at UCLA. I coordinate with patients, embassies,
physicians and other entities to bring patients here.
All in all, each case requires a considerable amount
of time. Like my colleagues who coordinate patients
from other areas, I often get to know these patients
well. Every patient has unique needs and I do my best
to accommodate them.
How
did you become an international patient coordinator?
After a career as a paralegal, I switched to private
duty nursing. I saw this position as an opportunity
to combine my skills and interests and help people during
their difficult times.
Do
you keep in touch with your patients?
Absolutely. I never lose contact with my patients. I
even see patients from my private duty nursing days.
Even at home, I receive call from patients and physicians
from the Middle East, keeping me up to date on their
lives.
If
you have any free time, how do you spend it?
I’m a single mother to my 19-year old son who
is studying at Cal State Northridge. I like to keep
up with him, dance and travel. I recently visited Dubai,
Kuwait and London and I’m looking forward to an
annual family cruise to Ensenada with my parents, sisters
and friends. |
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