Honoring Our Colleagues Lost to COVID-19: A Salute to VNSNY Nurse Lyubov Semidubersky
The heroism shown by the staff of the Visiting Nurse Service of New York in tremendously challenging times is legendary. From the influenza epidemic of 1918 and the polio outbreaks of the mid-20th century, to the emergence of AIDS in the 1980s and the devastation of the 9/11 attacks and Superstorm Sandy, VNSNY’s courageous women and men have always been there to provide care and comfort to New Yorkers in troubled times, despite the risk to themselves.
The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic is no exception. Over the past several months, we have been working tirelessly and with unsurpassed determination under incredibly difficult circumstances so that our patients and plan members can continue to receive the care they need. Many of our colleagues have been stricken with COVID-19 themselves. Thankfully, most of them have recovered and many have even returned to work. Sadly and tragically, however, ten of our coworkers have died. They include seven home health aides with Partners in Care, a physical therapist with VNSNY Home Care, a social worker with VNSNY Hospice, and a behavioral health nurse from VNSNY Home Care.
“These VNSNY heroes dedicated their lives to caring for others, and their contributions will never be forgotten,” says VNSNY President and CEO Marki Flannery. “We will remember them, honor them, and celebrate their lives.”
Lyubov Semidubersky
Lyubov Semidubersky, a behavioral health nurse with VNSNY Home Care’s Brooklyn region, sadly passed away from COVID-19. In her 13 years at VNSNY—she began with VNSNY CHOICE in 2007, serving as a nurse consultant for CHOICE MLTC, before moving to VNSNY Home Care in 2015—Lyubov (pronounced LOO-ba) had a very special place in the hearts of all who worked with her, as you can see from these many colleague tributes.
“She has touched all her patients’ lives and given them the gifts to be able to live their lives,” says Laura Lau, her partner in Behavioral Health in Brooklyn for five years. “She has been like a sister to me, someone who could always lift your spirit and always helped me to find comfort in the hardest times. We lost an angel on earth.”
“Lyubov was a selfless and compassionate person who went above and beyond for her patients. She was in the profession she was meant to be in,” says Stephanie Olic-Krupka, Behavioral Health/Hospitalization at Home Coordinator for VNSNY Home Care. Sherryl Reid, a Branch Director in Brooklyn Acute Care, agrees, adding, “All her patients were special for her. They all felt like they were her Number One patient, and they all just wanted Lyubov. When she was away on vacation, they all wanted to know when she was coming back!”
“Lyubov was a very caring, genuine person, and that’s what came through when you met her,” says Yvonne Eaddy, Vice President for Home Care’s Brooklyn region. “She really pulled you in with a great smile and her warmth. She was a great listener, very patient, objective and a great clinician—she had all the qualities needed to be an excellent behavioral nurse.”
“Lyubov worked at CHOICE MLTC for eight years,” notes CHOICE Care Coordination Manager Anne Marie Manzi. “I had the pleasure of being her manager for many of those years. Lyubov was one of the kindest, gentlest people I have worked with, dedicated to the care and wellbeing of her CHOICE members, and always willing to help out the team. Her members adored her, her colleagues loved her, and she always had a smile to give to everyone.”
CHOICE nurse Lilya Tamakhina, another friend and colleague from Lyubov’s time in CHOICE, recalls, “Lyubov and I started working at VNSNY CHOICE together 13 years ago. We went through thick and thin together. She was a very loyal worker and a friend. She was a good listener, soft spoken, and always ready to help. Helping others was her purpose in life. Lyubov loved and cared deeply for her family, and she loved her patients and worried about them as if they were her family. She was ready to come to the rescue any time, even to those she did not know. I will miss her. She will remain in my heart and my thoughts.”
“I will miss a beautiful, kind, loyal person who always had words of encouragement and a smile to support me on some hard days,” adds Inga Chakhvashvili, a Clinical Field Manager with VNSNY Home Care. “May her memory always be a blessing.”
“She was the sweetest person,” says Laura Shvarts, a nurse with Brooklyn Home Care. “I can’t believe I won’t be able to see or speak to Lyubov. May she rest in peace.”
Lyubov, who had just turned 62, had emigrated from Russia in 1993 and lived with her husband, Oleg, in Bergen Beach, Brooklyn. In addition to Oleg, Lyubov leaves behind two adult children, Galina and Michael, and four young grandchildren.
“Mom lived her work. She was a nurse 24/7,” says her daughter, Galina. “Patients called her on weekends, on holidays, even vacation, and she always picked up her phone. Ask any of her colleagues, friends, or patients or our large extended family. She never said ‘no’ to anyone and went above and beyond to make everyone happy, putting everyone’s needs and feelings before her own. Mom would give her last penny to a stranger in need.”
A fundraiser for the family has been set up and can be reached through Facebook by clicking here. If you would like to submit a special story or remembrance about Lyubov, please send it using the Contact Us page on Frontline. We will post these responses as they come in.
