STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- “God Bless America for helping my baby recover.”

Those were the words of Max Williams as his daughter Mariza was discharged from Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH), Northwell Health’s Regional Burn Center on Monday following a painstaking three-month treatment and recovery process that unfolded more than 2,500 miles from their home nation of Guyana.

“This really, to me, is a story of hope. It’s a story of resiliency and working together to overcome what was a horrible tragedy and find little glimmers of hope and humanity in that tragedy,” said Eric Cioe Peña, vice president for Northwell’s Center for Global Health.

On May 21, a fatal fire in a school dormitory in Mahdia, Guyana claimed 20 lives, with Williams surviving the tragic incident, but suffering severe second and third degree burns to roughly 40% of her body, including her back, legs and arms.

In the immediate aftermath of the blaze, Williams received emergency, live-saving care at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation in Guyana, but upon assessing the extent of her injuries, local doctors and government officials worked quickly to transfer Williams to SIUH where she would receive comprehensive care at the hospital’s acclaimed Regional Burn Center.

“We realized that it was worse than the original assessment,” said Dr. Shilindra Rajkumar, plastic surgeon, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation in Guyana. “In a matter of hours we arranged passports, visas and evacuation and got her here in a matter of days. Everything worked like clockwork.”

Upon arrival, she was placed in the care of Dr. Michael Cooper, director of the Regional Burn Center at SIUH, and received skin grafting, wound care and physical rehabilitation, as well as mental health and grief counseling, undergoing more than 10 surgeries during her 92-day stay.

“We did a combination of her own skin, as well as skin that was donated for temporary coverage. Things like being on a ventilator and having pediatric intensive care manage that. Then after those surgeries, we had our physical therapy and occupational therapy and social care teams. So again, it was a total collaborative effort that led us to today,” Dr. Cooper said.

During her stay, Williams’ mother, Marlene, never missed a day at the hospital, accompanying her daughter every step of the way in the recovery process.

“I’m so happy. I had more to say, but I am just so happy,” she said, choked up and fighting back tears.

On Monday morning, Williams was serenaded with cheers and a thunderous round of applause during her discharge, with the hospital gifting her an open heart necklace for her profound impact on the staff.

“It’s an open heart necklace from the entire hospital community, Northwell community, signifying that you’ve touched our hearts. You’re a part of the Northwell family now,” Peña said. “We’re very proud to have been part of your journey to recovery and we wish you the best.”

Williams’ recovery process will continue when she returns home to Guyana, but she’s already made significant progress in relearning to walk with the help of the hospital’s physical and occupational therapists.

In addition to her ongoing physical therapy, officials spoke to the importance of continued mental health and grief counseling as Williams recovers from the traumatic event.

“As she returns to Guyana, the government will continue to do its utmost to ensure that she gets the continued treatment that she needs. We know that this is not just a physical recovery, but a psychological one, and we have made arrangements for that and we will continue to support Mariza,” said Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Guyana’s Ambassador to the United Nations.

She concluded by profusely thanking the hospital for their efforts in this historic, international collaboration.

“On behalf of the government of Guyana, I want to express from the bottom of my heart a special thanks to all of you at Staten Island University Hospital. This story will not only be a part of your history, but it will be a part of Guyana’s history as well,” said Rodrigues-Birkett.