In Memoriam: Katherine Mcquade Toig
Saturday, October 23, 2021
We outset met when she was a nurse inward preparation at BIDMC. She was ever dropping past times my CEO work amongst questions as well as ideas. As a colleague said, "She wanted to relieve the world." In as well as hence doing, she constantly questioned her work as well as her house as well as was searching for the best agency she could serve humanity.
Here's an excerpt from a weblog she wrote piece on a volunteer mission inward Kenya, which inspired her to rest involved inward that region:
I am uncomfortable. My senses did their project inward Kenya. They collected sights, sounds as well as information for me to wrestle with. My heed volition non hold upward the same. Old beliefs as well as realities cannot conform the novel information. The procedure of reconciliation is non tidy. It won’t move for me to come upward to unproblematic explanations as well as conclusions. I volition demand to sit down inward the noise for a piece as well as build novel constructs of thought.
I volition transcend away on to collaborate amongst Tatua. My liberate energy volition hold upward aimed at empowering as well as supporting the Community Health Workers inward the slums of Ngong, Ngando as well as Rongi. It isn't plenty to furnish mission move to the slums. The solution has to grow from within. The CHWs are uniquely positioned every bit access points to healthcare. My heed tin residuum on this.
A novel chapter begins for me hither amongst the CHWs.
Little did I know that Katie would aid me heal later on a hard catamenia I had inward the hospital. Here's how she responded to an electronic mail I sent to the staff apologizing for my bad judgment:
"I am moved past times your missive of the alphabet as well as desire to give thank y'all you for all your work. As for whatsoever transgressions y'all may stimulate got had, I experience y'all are exclusively human as well as nosotros all brand mistakes. As I’m certain y'all know, it is how nosotros guide maintain them that makes us who nosotros are."
Wisdom beyond her years. Compassion as well as empathy that gear upward an event for all who knew her. Deep sadness for all who volition straight off fille her.