Part of it related to her history working in the medical field in the pharmaceutical field. Part of it stemmed from her new job in the hospice field. A good part of it, too, stemmed from the fact family is involved.

 

And a really big part of it was a real chance to say thank you to those involved in the frontline battle with the Coronavirus. So, that’s what Bridgeport High School alumna Julie Dolan Frombach did.

 

Recently, Frombach, a 1994 West Virginia University graduate who has lived in Morgantown since 2003, took advantage of her business to let everyone know that she – and the community – appreciate what the medical community is doing. The 1989 BHS graduate utilized her still relatively new business, CardMyYard, in Morgantown to do just that.

 

“This is impacting everyone and my brother John (Dolan) is a pediatrics pharmacist at Ruby Memorial and his wife is a (physician’s assistant at MedExpress) so I know what they’re going through because they’re involved daily and have two small girls. Plus, there are so many others in the same situation,” said Frombach, who also has cousins working at Ruby Memorial. “I decided to put a sign up to let everyone know how we feel about those who are working so hard right now.”

 

The first two signs were simple and to the point. One said, “Heroes Work Here,” while another said, “We Support You WVU Medicine.”

 

The response, she said, was immediate.

 

“I know when I did those at Ruby the workers were coming up with tearfully telling me thank you. It choked me up that they were so emotional about it,” said Frombach.

 

The signs at Ruby were the first. They wouldn’t be the last. Signs were placed at Sundale Nursing Home, in what is believed to be the epicenter of the state’s outbreak, Encompass Health Rehabilitation Center, Mon General and Preston County Memorial. Some of the signs are still up and there’s always the possibility more could go up as many are donated by Frombach and some are paid for.

 

Regardless, she said it’s been an eye-opening experience for someone who has spent most of their professional life on the periphery of the medical field. And it was a positive experience.

 

“I felt like I was helping even though I’m not near it and can’t do what they’re doing,” said Frombach, who said two of her best friends are nurses, including one from her own neighborhood who fortunately tested negative for the virus recently. “I just wanted them to know they are being supported.”

 

Frombach and her husband Ryan are the parents of three children – Aidan 16, Grayson 13, and Delaney 9.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Julie and Ryan Frombach after putting up one of the two signs at Ruby Memorial, while the second photo shows the other sign. Bottom photo shows the Frombach family. All photos courtesy of Julie Dolan Frombach.