Shermiyah Rienecker

During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare professionals, food service workers, truck drivers and countless more involved in the supply chain for essential goods and services are working harder than ever and facing considerable personal risk for the good of society. In this series, we asked alumni on the frontlines of this pandemic to share their experience with us.

Shermiyah Rienecker is a Medical Physicist at Biomedical Technology Services (BTS) in Queensland, Australia. BTS provides comprehensive health technology management services to ensure Queensland's public hospital and health services technology fleets are safe, effective, and available. Shermiyah is based at Sunshine Coast University Hospital, but also provides services to other urban, regional, and remote clinics in the state.

How has your job changed since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic?

As a scientist, I normally contribute to improving best practice by keeping up with the latest scientific evidence and gathering evidence under clinical conditions with my colleagues. The timescale for reviewing, development, and implementation of changes or new practices can take years. Because the future impact of the pandemic is unknown, there is increased demand from scientists like me to help create evidence-based policies and guidelines in response to the pandemic, as it happens. I have worked with clinicians to prepare for changes to workflows, clinical spaces, and telehealth capabilities. Certainly, there is also higher demand for ensuring more medical imaging and radiation protective equipment is available for clinical use/ clinical trials.

What has been a source of comfort and happiness for you during this time?

It takes more effort to disconnect from work when there are signs and media postings about it everywhere, and of course not being able to go outside like I normally would. Spending time and catching up with my family. My five-year-old daughter is hilarious and loves to make me laugh. Hearing about what others are doing to help tackle the pandemic is also inspiring.

What do you want people to know about your experience/during this time?

It is great to see everyone (outside and within the healthcare system) working together more than ever before. As much as I work with technology, I am most grateful for the different people I get to work with who are very passionate and good at what they do. I personally think there is more to be hopeful and thankful for given this situation than there is to fear or resent. When I was an undergrad I had to commute four hours every day to the university. During the winter months I left home before sunrise and came home at night — five days a week. If I missed the train or it was delayed this meant I would miss my class. It would’ve been great back then to have lectures recorded and more course material available online. I would encourage others to find the silver lining.