This week marks the first anniversary of the first diagnosed coronavirus case in Minnesota. Next week will be one year since the Governor enacted a state of emergency in response to the pandemic.

What a year it has been! From beginning to treat a disease that we knew almost nothing about last March, to vaccinating our community as fast as manufacturers can provide the vaccine today, it has been one tumultuous, exhilarating, and trying year. Although we are not done finding our way through the first pandemic to hit our country in over 100 years – we are starting to see glimmers of that proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. Today, I would like to highlight the healthcare heroes who have been on the frontlines of this fight.

“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” – Joseph Campbell

A global pandemic is something every one of us who went into healthcare knew would eventually happen and we have trained for a range of possibilities. However, none of that theory has been anything like this reality. I worry what history will say about the toll this pandemic has had on the hardworking healthcare workers across this country and right here at Perham Health. There is no question our efforts are frequently rewarded, as most of our patients persevere and recover from this virus. But we also give people terrible news. We see the fear in patient’s eyes as we care for them or place them into an ambulance to transfer them to an ICU for ventilator care. We shed tears as we watch families walk away without being able to see a loved one in our hospital or nursing home. Many of our colleagues have lost a parent, spouse, or other family members to the virus. We see so many healthy patients, with a seemingly simple case of COVID-19, end up with serious long-term health problems, including one of our own who became one of those “long-haulers” and had to leave our industry. This is our duty, but it sure hasn’t been easy.

“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” – Christopher Reeve

Yet, I continue to be amazed by the resilience of these healthcare heroes. I am blessed to work alongside an amazing team. I wish you could witness the hard work, dedication, and sacrifices they have made over the last year.

Nurses who set aside their fears to provide compassionate care to our first COVID-19 patients.
Medical staff who poured over every journal and study available to learn as much as possible about the evolving pandemic.
Housekeepers and laundry staff who had to learn new methods of cleaning, increase the frequency of cleaning, and truly do so much more without additional help.
Nursing home and hospital employees who worked diligently to keep residents and patients connected to their families despite the strict visitation guidelines.
Greeters, receptionists, patient access, pharmacy technicians, and others – who are the first person a patient meets when they walk through our doors – kept a brave face and positive attitude during the toughest of times.
Surgeons whose practices were severely affected, managed to conserve personal protective equipment so it would be available for their colleagues across the country; who jumped in and helped wherever they possibility could.
Caregivers and nurses in home care, the nursing home, and senior housing who have continued providing incredible care with increased infection control practices to keep everyone safe.
Our maintenance crew who had to quickly convert hospital rooms to negative pressure rooms when the number of COVID-19 patients increase and change them back just as quickly when we needed them for regular medical patients.
Leaders who have had to sort through and implement hundreds of new regulations over the past year.
A team that worked behind the scenes to find creative solutions to assure we remain financially stable when our revenue dropped drastically last spring.
Therapists and other employees that volunteered to work in the nursing home, who typically do not, when staffing levels dropped because our staff there were struggling with a COVID-19 outbreak.
And the supply chain team who had to find new ways to ensure we had the personal protective equipment we need.

I simply cannot mention every department and role individually, but I could not be prouder of the tremendous work that has taken place throughout our organization over the past year. Every one of our 600 Perham Health team members faced the last year with bravery, creativity, commitment, and devotion to those we serve. A heartfelt thank you to each and every one of them.

Despite the challenges we continue to face, I am filled with hope. If we work together, follow the CDC’s guidelines, get vaccinated when we are able, and continue supporting and uplifting each other, I am confident we will come through this stronger.

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Chuck Hofius
Perham Health CEO