Hempstead, NY – Hofstra women's basketball alumnus Niki Williams has been working tirelessly as an Emergency Medical Physician at a hospital in Nassau County, helping her patients in any way she can to make them feel comfortable during this time.
Since people cannot be in the room with patients and doctors because of the highly contagious nature of COVID-19, Williams has taken it upon herself to keep regular contact with the families of those being treated for the disease, even going as far as FaceTiming patients with their families and significant others.
"We've been seeing patients where, because of the situation, they're not allowed to have loved ones in the room with them. So I've spent a lot of time when I'm out of work trying to call the family members of my patients and give them an update on how they're doing," Williams says. "I'm trying to be really cognizant of how they're feeling during this time and how this is affecting them, so I try to be as honest as possible with them and I've found that people are so appreciative to hear the doctor's voice checking in on them and giving them an update on how their family member is doing. Even if the news isn't something you want to tell them, they're still incredibly appreciative of you for keeping them informed."
Additionally, Williams has been reading non-stop about the disease and ways other doctors are fighting a virus that has spread across the country. According to Williams, where there is a new illness, people in medicine are constantly trying to find new, more effective ways in treating it and caring for patients.
"I'm trying to find out what's been done in other places, what other specialists are doing for their patients, and the more information that comes out about the disease, the more articles there are for us to read and to use to treat our patients," Williams says. "I'm constantly having conversations with colleagues from different locations in the city, and we're trying to educate ourselves to best serve our patients."
In addition to speaking with the families of COVID-19 patients, Williams has been coordinating video calls with former teammates from Hofstra to check in on one another. She understands the importance of mental health during this time and wants to make sure her former teammates are doing well. Williams has extended herself to the Hofstra community and urges anyone in need of assistance during this time to contact her via Instagram at NikiWilliams34.
A member of the Hofstra women's basketball team from 2005-09, Williams credits her time with the Pride into helping her become a leader and being an effective communicator with other doctors when treating patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Treating everyone in the room with respect, whether it's fellow doctors to the people that clean the rooms and the instruments, is incredibly important during times like this according to Williams.
Those wishing to support our student-athletes during this time can do so by visiting our Student-Athlete Emergency Fund. This fund was created to assist our student-athletes who have been financially impacted by this massive public health crisis and is designed to assist with travel, moving costs, housing, and other essential support. Thank you for your continued support of Hofstra Athletics and our terrific student-athletes. #HofstraStrong
