December 2020 CEO Update

The year 2020 has been a year unlike any other experienced in our lifetime.

The COVID-19 pandemic has tested the skills, strength, and resiliency of healthcare leaders, employees, physicians, nurses, and others throughout the nation. This has been a once in a lifetime experience, and for many an event that has changed our lives forever. We feel deeply for all those who have lost loved ones, those who have suffered from the coronavirus, and those who have cared for friends and family members with this disease.

As the Christmas holiday approaches, I am reminded to celebrate the season, and
the reason for the season. The holidays look and feel different—less travel, smaller gatherings, and the inability to visit loved ones in the hospital or long term care facilities.

We need to remind ourselves to celebrate our holiday traditions with meaning that is timeless and memorable.

Making homemade ornaments was a favorite tradition of my mom’s. She would spend hours creating intricate ornaments to give as gifts and decorate our tree. As I pull those ornaments out to hang on my tree as an adult, I am reminded of the time and love given to each and every ornament. The quality time spent as a family creating these ornaments of love will forever be a joyful memory of mine.

Even though most of us want to forget 2020, I hope we can find some meaning in our year.

This year when our lives and holidays feel turned upside down, we can still do some things to help our mental health:

• Connectivity: Even if we cannot physically be with others, we can be grateful for the authentic connections we do have. Take time to call, send a personal email, or even better send a handwritten note to those we are grateful for. We are practicing the 12 Days of Gratitude for our employees here at CCH.
• Resiliency: At a time when we have dealt with so many challenges, personal and professional, we have surprised ourselves with how resilient and adaptable we can be.
• Accepting: During a recent safety huddle (a twice-daily meeting to keep our leaders updated), our Director of EMS shared a story with our leaders about giving each other grace. We need to be accepting and open to others and receive as well as give.

Whatever we celebrate and however we celebrate, let us remember the why of the holiday season—open your hearts, connect with others and allow each other grace today and tomorrow. Only then will we create hope and joy to carry us on into the future.

It is an honor and a privilege for all of us to serve our community. 

Sincerely,

Colleen Heeter, CEO