COVID-19 wave 3 update from QHC CEO
Administrator | Jun 23, 2021 | Comments 0
To the community, from Stacey Daub, President and CEO, Quinte Health Care:
As we come out of what we hope is the third and final wave of COVID-19, there is a sentiment of relief within our hospitals.
April and May were tough. We experienced more COVID within our hospitals than any other months or waves in the past. We anticipated what was coming based on increased local community transmission and provincial projections, braced ourselves and got to work. We have cared for 226 COVID patients – both local and from other communities – doing everything we can to help the patients and the health care system recover.
I’m so proud of our teams at Quinte Health Care. There isn’t a single person within our four hospitals who didn’t put in extra time, effort and commitment to get us through wave three and into calmer waters. There were moments of stress, exhaustion and fear, but also plenty of teamwork, compassion and pride.
I’d also like to thank our communities for recognizing how challenging it has been for our staff and physicians. Having our communities show their support has been inspirational to all of us. The Apricot Ribbon campaign in Prince Edward County is incredible acknowledgment for our health care workers – with ribbons, banners, lawn signs, thank you cards and gift cards – it’s been so uplifting for hospital staff in the County. In Belleville and Trenton, the steady stream of food donations and tokens of appreciation from local businesses and organizations such as McKesson Trenton, McCurdy GM, Quinte Gardens and United Way, to name a few, has been so generous and overwhelming. In North Hastings, the Fund Development Committee showed thoughtful appreciation for hospital staff by providing certificates and treat bags. Each of our hospital Foundations has gone out of their way to help recognize and support our staff as well as being the conduit for the many gestures of support from our communities.
And let’s not forget the individuals, families, teachers, classrooms who took it upon themselves to send letters, thank you messages, goodies and positive thoughts to our teams. We see you all, and appreciate everything you have done. Thank you!
While no one can deny that COVID-19 has been a worldwide burden impacting people on every continent, in every country and in every city, it has also brought people together. Locally, we are incredibly grateful for the partnerships of our municipalities, health care partners in the community, first responders, public health and many others who worked together to reduce the impact on our local residents, and other Ontarians who needed our help.
As we look ahead to post-pandemic renewal and recovery, I look forward to meeting more of you as we co-design a new and even stronger future of our four QHC hospitals for our patients, families, partners and the QHC team. Our hospitals are here to serve you, and that means better understanding the evolving needs of our communities, and working together to make local health care even better.
Stacey Daub,
President and CEO
Quinte Health Care
Filed Under: Letters and Opinion • News from Everywhere Else
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