Documenting the First Wave of COVID-19

In the new National Geographic documentary, The First Wave, Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and director Matthew Heineman captures what the COVID-19 pandemic really looked like inside the walls of one of New York City’s hardest-hit hospitals. In this 20-Minute Health Talk, Matthew reflects on what it was like to document patients fighting for their lives, as well as the frontline heroes responding to the crisis. He is joined by two nurses featured in the film: Kellie Wunsch, RN, a critical care nurse at LIJ; and Brussels Jabon, LPN, who was pregnant with her second child when diagnosed with COVID-19.

Meet our guests:  

Matthew Heineman is an Oscar-nominated and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker well known for documentaries including: Cartel Land; City of Ghosts; Escape Fire: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare; and his collaboration on Emmy-nominated HBO series, The Alzheimer’s Project. 

Kellie Wunsch, RN, is a critical care nurse at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Kellie volunteered to be a member of the rapid response team through the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Brussels Jabon is a Registered Practical Nurse at Northwell Health’s Stern Family Center for Rehabilitation.