Care assistant and health unit coordinator Jeremy Asher was inspired to pursue a career in health care at Saint Joseph London in 2011 after he lost his grandmother to cancer.
“My granny, who I loved more than anything in the world, got sick,” Jeremy said. “She had cancer, and I saw the stages she went through and it broke my heart. I wanted to help her, to help anyone, who is sick and make their time with it a little better.”
Jeremy, who works in orthopedics and at the COVID-19 screening station, said he feels like his place is to help, whether it’s a patient who is recovering from a hip replacement procedure or fellow co-worker who is having a bad day.
“I love to talk [to orthopedic patients during their walks],” Jeremy said. “I like to talk about life, what they do, and what they want to do. It’s amazing how similar human beings are and how different we are.”
In March, Jeremy, and many other caregivers, had to embrace a new normal as they were pulled to help with COVID-19 priorities. Jeremy was recognized for his efforts for stepping up during the pandemic, but he said the true heroes are the patient caregivers who put themselves and their families at risk to help patients.
“It’s amazing how strong these nurses [and providers] are,” Jeremy said. “People come in here with COVID-19, and they don’t even think twice. They go straight to the patient with their PPE on and take care of them as if they were here for anything else. People shine during this time; I’ve seen a lot of that here.”
Life at home changed for Jeremy, as well. His wife of 12 years, a teacher, transitioned to online schooling – as did his 11-year-old son, who started sixth grade online a few months ago.
In his free time, Jeremy said his family enjoys going on trips together a few times a year before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We cruise,” Jeremy said. “I love to be on a cruise ship for an extended time. We also love to go to Gatlinburg and being outdoors.”
Jeremy is also passing his love for the University of Kentucky Wildcats and the outdoors to his son.
“I was raised being outdoors, so I’m trying to do the same for my son,” Jeremy said. “I love to be out in the woods. Every time we go to Gatlinburg, we go to Cade’s Cove to see bears and animals in their natural element.”
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