The staff at Ellis Hospital has been busy for several weeks but they’re still going above and beyond to offer support for patients.

“I’m trying to show that we are here for them,” said Alicia Hottois, a unit support technician at the Schenectady hospital.

She’s the person behind all the signs, cards, and messages that have been spread throughout the A4 unit.

It’s part off what Hottois is calling the “Be Positive” campaign. It started with a whiteboard asking staff to “say something positive.” Then Hottois purchased 96 get-well cards for COVID-19 patients.

“And then everyone else has purchased cards, or I’ve gotten a lot of crafty handmade pictures, drawings,” Hottois said.

Since this got underway, she says the community has been sending her cards and colleagues are pitching in, which includes registered nurse Meredith Rutsky.

“Everyone here understands it’s a lot harder to be sick than to do our job,” Rutsky said.

Inspired by Hottois’s campaign, Rutsky has created “happy packs.” It’s bags filled with stuff animals, coloring books, puzzles, and inspirational messages for patients.

“Basically anything that would help brighten someone’s day and help pass the time,” Rutsky said.

The staff say they’re doing this because COVID-19 patients can feel isolated with no visitors and always seeing healthcare providers in full personal protective equipment. So they hope these efforts show the staff is here for them and the community is thinking of them.

“It’s amazing to see that complete strangers can tell someone that they’re wishing them well and that they’re praying for them,” Hottois said.