Over the past several weeks, I have been continually impressed by the community’s outpouring of support for health care providers on the front lines in the coronavirus pandemic, including the 12,000 dedicated caregivers at Swedish. It is often in times of crisis that our humanity, resilience and compassion shine brightest.
I am grateful for your actions as we tackle this crisis together. Governor Inslee’s prudent “stay home, stay healthy” proclamation calls on us to adopt new behaviors, including physical distancing of at least six feet. These important precautions are having a real impact to lessen the spread of the disease, which in turn saves lives.
Health care providers across our region have received an outpouring of support from people who have contributed medical equipment, food and money during this difficult time. Donations of critical supplies like masks, gowns and face shields are also helping our caregivers, and all of Swedish appreciates the generosity.
Many businesses across our region have had to close, people are staying home except for essential business, and we are taking unprecedented steps as a community to limit the viral spread and its harmful impacts.
The coronavirus poses the greatest risk to the most vulnerable members of our community. There are hundreds of nonprofits and other organizations that are doing heroic work to support our neighbors who struggle with mental illness, housing instability, food insecurity and other challenges. These groups need our support now more than ever.
I am grateful for the professionalism and dedication of our community’s health care workers, first responders and other providers of essential services. Without their selfless commitment to serving others, we would not be able to weather this crisis.
For more than 110 years, Swedish has never wavered in our promise to serve our community’s most urgent need. We are here for you. Be healthy, be well.
R. Guy Hudson, M.D., MBA
Chief Executive Officer Swedish Health Services
