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Health Heroes: the friendly face behind the front desk, on the front lines

Toni Boysaw is an 18-year veteran employee at University Hospitals' Seidman Cancer Center

CLEVELAND — Toni Boysaw may not be a nurse or a doctor, but she's certainly a front-line healthcare worker. She's the first person patients see when they walk into the Seidman Cancer Center at University Hospitals. And her mission is more than checking in appointments.

"There’s anxiety, there’s fear and a lot of emotions so just to make our patients, have them you know give them a feeling of comfort and reassurance," Boysaw told 3News.

Toni has her own health issues too - she's asthmatic.

"It is scary, it has been and it still is scary however I love what I do, I love what I do so we come here and mask up," she said.

The 18-year veteran knows the safety guidelines and always follows them. And also shares that information with friends and family.

"After doing this for so long it comes natural to them however, I’m still there as a reminder."

She's also well aware how Covid-19 is impacting the African-American communities much harder, so she has another message:

"The first thing I would say is that it’s real, this is real and it’s gonna be here it’s not going away anytime soon, things may let up but it’s here. And it causes devastation and loss of life which we’ve all seen, follow the guidelines, please follow the guidelines," Boyer said.

"Wash your hands mask up carry your hand sanitizer with you and once again stay prayerful and hopeful," she continued.

Toni had the opportunity to work from home during the pandemic, but feels she's needed here on the front lines.

"We have a purpose to be here and that’s what keeps us going, that’s what keeps us going and our patients, we love our patients."

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