Healthcare workers have been caring for COVID-19 patients non-stop since mid-March. Many admit they’ve experienced a variety of health crises in their careers, but COVID-19 has been unlike any other.
We asked Midori Carpenter, the Executive Director of the Liberty Hospital Foundation, how Northlanders can support and encourage the frontline workers that are keeping us safe.
At the onset of the pandemic we witnessed an outpouring of support from the community. At that time the hospital’s needs focused on protective equipment such as N95 masks, gowns and more. Our community sewed and donated more than 10,000 cloth masks to us. It was a tremendous help! We distributed these masks to every non-clinical staff member at the hospital and also provided them to physicians and staff to wear while not seeing patients. Patients and visitors who do not have masks receive a mask that they may keep.
Today when people ask me how they can support healthcare workers, I provide three suggestions:
Individual prepackaged snacks, meal replacement items and bottled drinks are an ideal donation for healthcare workers. We assemble these into Snack Packs to deliver throughout the hospital. Healthcare workers can grab a snack, a drink or a simple meal like noodles when they have a moment to recharge.
Employees are incredibly grateful when we deliver Snack Packs. They are given throughout the hospital as well as to our primary care, urgent care and sports medicine clinics. We also make sure our night and weekend shift employees receive them.
Second, we suggest donations of thank you cards and words of encouragement. These are a kind reminder to team members that they are remembered and cared for by their community. We include the cards and words of encouragement in Snack Packs.
Some people prefer to give monetary donations, and those are used for the Hughes Family Assistance Fund, which gives financial support to hospital employees during times of crisis. We’ve helped many employees whose partners have been laid off during the pandemic or are experiencing hardship and find themselves in need of assistance.
Until the pandemic ends, all healthcare workers will continue to need our community’s support. If you would like to help, please reach out to your local healthcare facility and ask what their greatest needs are.
You can do your part to support them by wearing a mask, physical distancing, practicing good hand hygiene and making wise choices about being in groups or out in public.
For information about supporting healthcare workers at Liberty Hospital visit LibertyHospitalFoundation.org.
Cynthia Spilker, MD, Pulmonologist and Critical Care Specialist
This is a unique time for all of us in the medical profession. I am really proud of the adaptability of our team when we’ve been faced with the new challenges of COVID-19. We work together and step up to provide great care.
Willow Burke, RN, Charge Nurse
The support we’ve received from our community – the cards and food – has been amazing! We appreciate your kindness more than you know. My favorite donation was Satin Hands lotion to help sooth our dry, sanitized hands.
Madison Lyman, RN, Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
What truly brightens our day is when people send cards, meals and snacks for us. Usually we’re busy and don’t have time for a sit-down lunch. Those snacks and lunches are something we really look forward to! We are also reminded that a grateful family or community member is thinking about us. It’s really simple, but a useful and much appreciated gift!