More than 100 excited members of the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center family turned out today to bid an emotional farewell to a courageous patient who overcame COVID-19 during a lengthy hospital stay that included several weeks on a respirator.

As her parents and grandparents looked on Tania Kalisiak, 20, received a standing ovation as she left the hospital. Nurses, doctors, respiratory therapists, discharge planners and others who cared for Kalisiak were on hand to salute her and wish her well.

After Kalisiak was taken off of a respirator and could again breathe without assistance, she rallied to conquer the deadly disease that is at the root of a worldwide pandemic. She will now continue her recovery at an area rehabilitation center.

Cutline information: Senior Respiratory Therapist Tracy Aniolowski and Chief Nursing Officer JoAnn Pellegrino present a floral bouquet to Tania Kalisiak as she is discharged from Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center in front of a cheering crowd of medical center staff members