The beginning of COVID-19 pandemic marked a 180-degree change in my role as a pharmacist at UCLA Health. Patients who were once coming in, receiving their medications and patient consultations, were encouraged to stay home and skip their doctors appointments, thus resulting in them not receiving their medications.
My current patient population here happens to be those that have had a recent lung, liver, heart or other type of organ transplant. For this reason, about 90% of the patients I see and talk to each day are categorized in the immune-compromised group.
“[Transplant] patients are at extremely high risk of infection, as their immune system is already at an all-time low. My passion has been to help these patients as much as possible, and with the COVID-19 pandemic, I have had to ponder ways to make it safe and easy for them to receive their medications.” — Nicole Lavian
These patients are at extremely high risk of infection, as their immune system is already at an all time low. My passion has been to help these patients as much as possible, and with the COVID-19 pandemic, I have had to ponder ways to make it safe and easy for them to receive their medications. Mail order service is now being provided, along with virtual consultations, whether it is via Skype, FaceTime or simply over the phone. Patients no longer need to leave their homes and put themselves at risk. This truly goes without saying: “We came to work for you, please stay at home for us!”
My motivation is knowing that I wake up each morning and am able to help someone in need. Most importantly, I am able to put a smile on someone’s face. I am grateful for everything I do and for those I can help each day.
My mother’s childhood drawing of Hitler became my contribution to the Venice Biennale, and then I found myself confronting the very hatred my mother had put on paper.
Here were thousands of proud Jews with Israeli flags dancing, reveling, rejoicing, as if the news never reached them about the global hate movement toward Israel.
There is a benefit of roasting food on skewers, à la shish kebab. By cutting meat and vegetables into smaller uniform pieces, the marinade coats more and the food cooks evenly.
The tight relationship between Trump and Netanyahu masks the real debate over Israel churning in the Republican Party, and Israel’s standing among Democrats has never been lower.
Some emphasized the importance of combating antisemitism and protecting Jewish safety, while others called for political engagement and cooperation across party lines.
So here we are, stuck with just a few bad options to consider. And that’s just the political superposition of undetermined future – alongside it there’s also the possible – probable? – war with Iran.
At a time when Jewish education is competing for attention in a world dominated by screens, sports, short-form videos and endless streams of content, these easily collectable cards offer a different kind of engagement.
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.
What It’s Like Treating Immune-Compromised Patients During COVID-19
Nicole Lavian
The beginning of COVID-19 pandemic marked a 180-degree change in my role as a pharmacist at UCLA Health. Patients who were once coming in, receiving their medications and patient consultations, were encouraged to stay home and skip their doctors appointments, thus resulting in them not receiving their medications.
My current patient population here happens to be those that have had a recent lung, liver, heart or other type of organ transplant. For this reason, about 90% of the patients I see and talk to each day are categorized in the immune-compromised group.
These patients are at extremely high risk of infection, as their immune system is already at an all time low. My passion has been to help these patients as much as possible, and with the COVID-19 pandemic, I have had to ponder ways to make it safe and easy for them to receive their medications. Mail order service is now being provided, along with virtual consultations, whether it is via Skype, FaceTime or simply over the phone. Patients no longer need to leave their homes and put themselves at risk. This truly goes without saying: “We came to work for you, please stay at home for us!”
My motivation is knowing that I wake up each morning and am able to help someone in need. Most importantly, I am able to put a smile on someone’s face. I am grateful for everything I do and for those I can help each day.
Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.
Editor's Picks
Israel and the Internet Wars – A Professional Social Media Review
The Invisible Student: A Tale of Homelessness at UCLA and USC
What Ever Happened to the LA Times?
Who Are the Jews On Joe Biden’s Cabinet?
You’re Not a Bad Jewish Mom If Your Kid Wants Santa Claus to Come to Your House
No Labels: The Group Fighting for the Political Center
Latest Articles
Our New Mayor Has a Genocide Problem
They Blamed the Jews for Eggs. Then They Won.
Rabbi Stan Levy, 1941-2026
Broken Glass and the Banality of Blueberries
One Book, Two Sisters, and the Fight to Keep the Holocaust Real
Warriors of Israel Advocates for Israel’s Heroes in California and Abroad
How My Mother’s Childhood Doodle Wound Up in the Venice Biennale and Why I Removed It
My mother’s childhood drawing of Hitler became my contribution to the Venice Biennale, and then I found myself confronting the very hatred my mother had put on paper.
Israeli Journalist at VBS, 2026 Jewish Educator Awards Recipients
Notable people and events in the Jewish LA community.
Superstitions and the Training Wheels of Faith
Some may scoff, but those little rituals help. They don’t undermine our faith; they actually bring us closer to God.
At Israel’s Low Point, Montreal Federation Throws a Wild Party
Here were thousands of proud Jews with Israeli flags dancing, reveling, rejoicing, as if the news never reached them about the global hate movement toward Israel.
Rabbis of LA | The Rembaums’ Happy Life Together
Second of two parts
Some LA Business Owners and Residents Taking Safety Into Their Own Hands
Several business owners interviewed by The Journal for this article said they had purchased firearms to protect their businesses and homes.
‘The Israeli in Me Came Out’: At 81, Howard Rosenman Fought His Attackers
“I did a film with Barbra Streisand, ‘The Main Event,’ in 1979. Nothing can scare me.”
Jewish Activist Says She Won’t Be Silenced After Being Attacked at the University of Michigan
Benichou hopes to see more people speaking up.
A Popular Skewer Recipe
There is a benefit of roasting food on skewers, à la shish kebab. By cutting meat and vegetables into smaller uniform pieces, the marinade coats more and the food cooks evenly.
Table for Five: Chayei Sarah
Commitment To Love
Settling on the Outskirts – A poem for Parsha Chayei Sara
The life of Sara ends with death.
A Moment in Time: Beyond Politics
A Bisl Torah ~ Love at First Hearing
Is attraction based solely on the physical? Or is chemistry based on something deeper?
Why Moses’ Name Is Changed to Menasseh in Judges
Why Israel’s Messy Election Should Worry Washington
The tight relationship between Trump and Netanyahu masks the real debate over Israel churning in the Republican Party, and Israel’s standing among Democrats has never been lower.
Jewish Community Weighs Implications of Democrats’ Midterm Election Victories
Some emphasized the importance of combating antisemitism and protecting Jewish safety, while others called for political engagement and cooperation across party lines.
Print Issue: Election Fever | November 6, 2026
What comes next?
Rosner’s Domain: Weeks of Known Unknowns
So here we are, stuck with just a few bad options to consider. And that’s just the political superposition of undetermined future – alongside it there’s also the possible – probable? – war with Iran.
The Switched Passport: A Lesson in Seeing the Other
That is my hope: that by finding things we can do together, by recognizing each other’s humanity, we might come to see each other more fully.
After the Last Out, Collect a Different Kind of Card
At a time when Jewish education is competing for attention in a world dominated by screens, sports, short-form videos and endless streams of content, these easily collectable cards offer a different kind of engagement.
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.