COVID-19 has been a difficult time for many all of us — especially families. Prolonged social isolation and disruption of normal life has created many new and unique challenges for kids. 
“It’s been a rocky road,” says Julia “Mickey” Wilson. “I just keep thinking positive and being positive for my grandkids. It’s all about that PMA— positive mental attitude.”
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Mickey has eight children of her own and 18 grandchildren — five of whom are in her care. Mickey takes the risks of COVID-19 very seriously. But her grandkids — ages 3, 5, 7, 8, and 10 — each have their own level of understanding. ​

By Linda Jackson Cocroft
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A native Milwaukeean, Jeanette L. Kowalik, resigned her position as Associate Director of the Association of Maternal Child Health Programs in Washington, D.C., and, in 2018, accepted the appointment by Mayor Tom Barrett as Health Commissioner for the City of Milwaukee. Her professional journey had come full circle, bringing her back home to the department where she worked as an undergraduate intern many years ago.  ​

Responding to this observation, the Commissioner said, “Although I knew it would be challenging, I have a deep love for my community and Milwaukee. However, little did I know that it would involve leading through a pandemic.” 

As the new president of the International Association of Sickle Cell Nurses and Professional Associates/IASCNAPA, Dr. Dora Clayton-Jones, an assistant professor and Arthur J. Schmitt Leadership Fellow at the Marquette University College of Nursing, will dedicate her tenure as president to increase awareness of sickle cell disease (SCD) while elevating patient care and advocacy. She explains, “Gene therapy is being developed. But remedies like bone marrow transplants aren’t widely available. So, we still have work to do in finding a cure and on the psychosocial level.” ​