Hospitals and health care workers sometimes experience the holidays a little differently than everyone else does. They don’t close their doors, of course, which means there are lots of people who are at work, and who often work extra. They are witnesses of downside of our celebrations—this time of year, it’s too often drunk drivers and the people they hurt and kill.
But they are also witnesses to good news, like babies, and cheerful moments, like families who come to the hospital to cheer and support a sick or recovering family member. Staff throughout the hospital work so hard and thoughtfully to make these visits special. Unless you have seen it yourself, you just cannot appreciate the passionate, hard-working, dedicated medical staff who work over the holidays.
At this time of year, when many of us are looking forward to a break, let’s remember those physicians, nurses, technicians and others who are working in our local hospital. These people and their families give up time together so that others can spend time with their families and loved ones.
Here at WSHA we are proud to serve and support the hospitals and caregivers who provide excellent, meaningful service to their communities.
We are grateful for the opportunity to work together with you, and thank you for your service to our communities. Thank you for ensuring consistent, quality health care is readily available, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Enjoy the holiday season and have a Happy New Year! 2015 is going to bring us a lot of challenges, and we’re looking forward to being your partner throughout.
Scott Bond
WSHA President and CEO
ScottB@wsha.org
From the Lewis County Chronicle: When Duty Doesn’t Take A Holiday
Lorna Johnson has been an RN for about 14 years and has worked for Providence Centralia Hospital 12½ years. She estimates eight of those years she has worked Christmas day. This year she is scheduled to work shifts on Dec. 24, 25 and 26. Johnson said she often has volunteered to work on Christmas instead of her co-workers with young children because she remembers what it was like to be a mother of small children and to share special memories like Christmas morning.
“That’s important to me,” Johnson said. “I support and encourage the other nurses who have young children. My life is free, my kids are grown.” Read more.
From the Spokesman Review: Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital Provides Christmas Gifts and Shopping to Children in Care
Corporate sponsors, hospital friends, and families who have been treated by the hospital all donated toys and gifts so that children staying in the hospital over the holidays could buy gifts for their parents and families.
“This is not the place they would choose to be if it weren’t for their illness,” said Elaine Couture, chief executive of Providence Health Care. Coming to the Christmas store “gives them some sense of normalcy. … I think this is one of the best things they can do.”Read more. View a video here.
From FOX Q13: Seattle Children’s Hospital Polar Place Market Eases Holiday Stress for Parents
Parents of patients at Seattle Children’s Hospital were able to shop for free in the hospital’s annual Polar Place Market. Stocked by donated goods and toys, the market allows parents to shop and have presents wrapped at no cost.
With children in the hospital, the Polar Place Market at Seattle Children’s Hospital alleviates the stress of shopping and allows parents to focus on what’s truly important, their family. View video here.
From the Seattle Times: UW Medical Center Director to get in on the Emergency Room Action At Harborview Over the Holidays
Even the holidays are not a slow time for Harborview Medical Center. Martin Makela, director of the University of Washington Medical Center Emergency Department, will work at Harborview’s emergency room on Christmas Day to help with a certain spike in admissions.
Makela will help with those coming in due to holiday depression, and the expected holiday injuries similar to “when the cousins get together and are playing football, and somebody breaks an arm.” Read more.
