Hard-working New Jerseyans, especially those on the front lines, are doing everything they can to keep our neighbors safe and well, and that includes three family members working in the same hospital.

Mom Kathleen Rodriguez, the lead technologist of interventional radiology at Hackensack University Medical Center, was pregnant with Meghan Rodriguez when she started in 1986.

 

Megan is now in the Radiology Department at the hospital as well and has been for the past four years. Her younger sister, Erin Rodriguez, is the unit coordinator in Surgical ICU and started six years ago. Together, they take care of each other and those fighting COVID-19, which has been especially difficult for Erin, whose specialty is her bedside manner.

"She likes to be one on one with patients, and she likes to hold their hand; and she likes to just make them feel comfortable and not afraid, and she's not able to do that," says Kathleen.

 

Erin often leaves her mom a note when she tries to see her during work. Megan left her mom a note back when working weekends was a must and a lot of growing up was missed.

"I remember the moments that she was there, I don't necessarily remember the moments that she wasn't there,” says Megan. “She still made many important events, I remember her being at every track meet in high school never remember her missing one, even if she was coming in her scrubs."

In addition, oldest brother, Ryan Rodriguez, worked at Hackensack University Medical Center right out of college, but has since moved on to serve our country as a member of the Air Force.

Meghan and Kathleen live under the same roof with their father, so when they get home, shoes are off before they enter the house and it's right into the shower in order to make sure he stays healthy as well.