Dr. Franklin Sylvester '10

As the days pass, winter blossoms into spring, and the initial shockwave brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic dissipates, it becomes easier to forget why we stay home. But for my family—and many other Hopkins families—it is impossible to forget, because we have loved ones who must put themselves at great risk each day to fight this virus for all of us.

My brother, Franklin Sylvester ’10, is a second-year pediatrics resident at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Franklin wanted to be a doctor from a young age, motivated by the care he received following a bike accident that led to a broken arm and femur, two surgeries and a five-day hospital stay. When he had fully recovered in the months leading up to his first year at Hopkins, he was on a mission. Biology, Chemistry, Physics—he immersed himself in the sciences. He took that love for science that was nurtured at Hopkins to Georgetown where it evolved into a love for medicine and patient care. From Georgetown straight to UCONN School of Medicine, and from UCONN to Mount Sinai for his three-year residency.

At Mount Sinai he found himself at the center of two worlds: one in which he treats Manhattan’s wealthiest families and one in which he treats those with the lowest income and resources.These two worlds have one thing in common though: they both rely on a system already straining to meet the needs of one of the most populated cities in the world. Despite the existing challenges, his love for medicine and his patients, nine years of higher learning, and great sacrifice created a determination and commitment to providing the best care possible. So it should come as no surprise that his commitment is unwavering, even in the face of the most terrifying public health crisis many of us have ever seen.

In the first few weeks of March, as the infection rate skyrocketed in the New York tri-state area, he found the hospital transforming around him trying to meet the demand of an influx of patients who urgently needed care. Every non-essential space became a temporary COVID-19 unit, personnel were being pulled from their normal assignments, and there were urgent pleas for PPE (personal protective equipment) and medical supplies. When his department made the call for volunteers to help join the fight, he knew he wanted to step up and do his part.

No less than 24 hours later, he was deployed with a three-person team to begin treating COVID-19 patients. Any sense of nervousness or uncertainty they felt on that first day was quickly replaced with a sense of shared purpose and camaraderie—they would lean on each others’ different backgrounds and expertise to provide the best care for their patients. Though there are stories of loss and grave illness, there are also stories of hope and recovery; he had several patients who were well enough to be discharged. He shared, though it may seem small in the grand scheme of things, each person that recovers is one more person who is able to go home and be with their families and loved ones again.

To say my family is fiercely proud, is an understatement, but this is the kind of sacrifice so many health care professionals around the world are making each and every day, giving all of themselves to help their patients fight this virus. We ring our bells and cheer each night, we send care packages, and text words of encouragement, always wondering if there will ever be enough we can say or do that fully expresses the gratitude we feel for their bravery and sacrifice during this time. But we must continue to try.

Franklin has had great support from a group of his closest friends from Hopkins who are also doctors treating COVID-19 patients, and so many other students from the class of 2010 that have reached out with encouraging words—for him it has made all the difference.

To all the health care professionals from the Hopkins community, we thank you for your service. To those suffering from loss, we pray for you. And to those battling with the worst of this virus, keep fighting. Please take comfort in knowing we are in this together, we stay home for all of you.