LI Man Sees Family For First Time Through Hospital Windows

WEST ISLIP, NY — When Orlando Hernandez saw his family for the first time after a month of being hospitalized due to coronavirus, it was an unusual, emotional reunion. The 47-year-old man had spent a month at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip, much of it on a ventilator, and when he became strong enough to take a few steps from his bed in the COVID-19 unit, the staff arranged a surprise visit.

Hernandez' wife, three children and grandchildren were outside below his hospital room windows with signs, waving and cheering him on.

“We were surprised by how many family members were out there. He was overjoyed. It was very emotional," Child Life Specialist Danielle Szewczuk, CCLS said, in a Catholic Health Services news release.

“Sadly, many people don’t come off the vent. Seeing Orlando progress, come off the ventilator, sit up in a chair and eventually be able to walk, meant so much to everyone.”

Good Samaritan Hospital had to convert its 30-bed pediatric unit to an ancillary COVID-19 unit at the peak of the pandemic. Hernandez's daughter Anabel told Catholic Health Services that the window reunion moment brought a range of emotions to the family.

“We were sad and happy and excited all at the same time.”

“We never thought this would hit one of our family members this bad,” Anabel said.

Orlando Hernandez was discharged the day after the surprise visit, where he continues his long recovery at home.

“We are waiting for all of this to be over and for him to get better and be the man he was before.”