Governor Tom Wolf visited WellSpan York Hospital on Tuesday to thank WellSpan's 20,000 team members, including those working on the frontlines of COVID-19, for their dedication to patients and communities during the pandemic.
“Our 20,000 team members are the heart of WellSpan. They are truly our healthcare heroes, and our commitment to them is as strong as their dedication to our patients and communities,” said Roxanna Gapstur, Ph.D., R.N., president and CEO of WellSpan Health. “Throughout this pandemic, our dedicated team members have placed patients first – providing safe, expert and compassionate care to our friends and neighbors. And, as we’ve resumed services at our 200 locations across our six-county region, WellSpan care teams continue to deliver on our promise of providing the safest, highest quality care to our community.”
Governor Tom Wolf was joined by Rachel Levine, M.D., Pennsylvania Secretary of Health, Roxanna Gapstur, Ph.D., R.N., WellSpan Health President & CEO, Matthew Howie, M.D., WellSpan Health and City of York, Christina L. Hansen, R.N., COVID-19 ICU nurse, and York College Professor Meda Higa, Ph.D. They stressed the importance of wearing a mask and socially distancing. They also urged community members to not delay seeking health care.
"We've added new policies and enhanced safety protocols – including visitor restrictions, mandating masks, ensuring social distancing and rigorous cleaning protocols," said Gapstur. "We encourage our friends and neighbors to seek healthcare when they need it. Don't delay care, especially for emergencies and chronic conditions. We're here for you – where and when you need us."
Health and safety is the No. 1 priority at WellSpan Health. Some of the steps taken to protect patients include requiring that masks be worn by all staff, patients and visitors, limiting entry points at all hospitals, screening patients for COVID-19 symptoms before they are allowed to enter and requiring all staff members working in COVID-19 patient care areas, screening areas and emergency departments to wear personal protective equipment.
"The successes we've had in saving our patients is what keeps us going," said Hansen. "It gives us the motivation to come in every day and don all of our personal protective equipment. We will continue to put our heart and soul into caring for our patients, but we need your support. Wearing a mask is a simple way to do your part in this pandemic."
For more information on COVID-19, including the steps being taken at WellSpan Health for safety, visit WellSpan.org/Coronavirus.
