By the time you read this letter, we will have passed the one-year anniversary of when our community, state and nation shut down in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. For many, this shutdown was devastating. As a healthcare organization, we were able to remain open, but we had to quickly adapt to new processes and procedures to ensure we could keep our patients and staff safe. Because of the hard work and dedication of our staff, we were able to do just that.

Now, we are focused on giving the COVID-19 vaccines. We started vaccinating our staff in December and began offering it to the community in January. Vaccine supply is ramping up, and we are preparing to make the vaccine available to everyone just as soon as the Governor gives us the OK. I encourage you to get vaccinated if you haven’t already done so.

I recognize that there may be reluctance from some of you to get vaccinated, but here are the reasons why I did and why I think you should, too:

• The vaccines currently being given have all gone through the standard, three-phase trial. The FDA has issued Emergency Use Authorizations for these vaccines based on all of the health and safety data that came from the vaccine trials.
• All vaccines currently available are very effective at keeping people from getting COVID, and those who do get sick are generally much less sick.
• Experts believe the vaccines are helping to prevent spreading of the COVID-19 virus.
• The vaccines are a critical tool in helping end the pandemic. The combination of getting vaccinated as well as following the CDC’s recommendations for protecting yourself will offer the best protection for everyone.

As we head into spring and summer, I am hopeful that we will get this pandemic under control. Like you, I want to see our economy rebound and our lives return to a level of normal close to what we had in 2019.

I wish you good health,
Andrew J. Daniels, MHA, FACHE
Chief Executive Officer