Dear Editor,
For the past 16 years, I have been blessed to work with the now more than 1,000 team members that make up Memorial Health. Never have I been more proud to be associated with this amazing group of people.
Prior to the COVID-10 pandemic, Memorial had already simultaneously embarked on the two largest projects in its history…Memorial 2020 and our conversion to the Epic medical record platform. When we set out on those two projects, no one could anticipate that we would soon face the largest public health crisis of our lifetimes. Already stressed and pulled a thousand different ways, they’ve now been presented with a situation they have been preparing their entire careers for.
Most health care workers share a common bond…they chose their career motivated by a desire to help others in their time of need. They have all of the same worries that you do. They worry about their own health and safety, and the welfare of their friends and loved ones. But they have the additional burden of coming to work each day, knowing that they are even more likely to be exposed to the virus, or worse. They all have anxiety and fear about what may happen, but they run toward the crisis anyway because there are people there that need them.
Memorial has spent the past ten years riding a phenomenal wave of growth, and has focused nearly all of its energy over that time on building an amazing team…based on talent, compassion, caring, and fit for the culture we sought to create. Memorial may not be as large as some of the Columbus hospitals, but we have what they don’t have…our people. The results of those recruitment efforts are now getting ready to be on full display for all of our communities to see. Many of our team members could choose to put their talents to work in larger institutions in Columbus, but they choose Memorial because they want to care for people in their own personal community.
Whether they work at Memorial Hospital, the Memorial Medical Group, Memorial Gables, or with any of our dozens of partner organizations, our team is rising to the occasion when they are needed most. We have some of the best in the business working right here locally at Memorial, and like many who are the best at what they do, they will perform their best when it matters most. Personally, I hope this crisis turns out to be less than what is predicted. But if the predictions are true, we should all be comforted knowing how talented, caring, and compassionate of a team exists right here in our communities.
Our team is appreciated more than they know. I have fielded dozens of texts, emails, and calls from community leaders saying thank you and asking how they can be of help. Our team members are now on the biggest stage, and they will shine. If you know a frontline healthcare worker, take a minute to check in on them and say thank you. Please do your part and stay at home to protect them, so that they will all be healthy to care for you and your loved ones if needed.
Chip Hubbs
President/CEO
Memorial Health