Publication

First, I want to recognize the emergency medical services volunteers in our community. We have seven volunteer fire districts in our hospital district, all of which also run ambulance services. They work for the good of their community, receiving little or nothing in return. We just can't say enough about their dedication and commitment.

Second, I want to report that we still intend to open a primary care clinic in Packwood within the next year. Staffing challenges in our organization caused our progress to falter for a time, but we are getting back on track. The Packwood-area residents need and deserve health care in their community, and we are as committed as ever to providing it.

The third subject I want to touch on is not so heartwarming. Arbor Health is not immune to what is being reported across the country: violence toward health care workers. Patients and visitors are taking their frustrations out on health care workers. Doctors, nurses, mammography technicians, receptionists, screeners—staff across health care organizations are being abused. I do not use the term "abuse" lightly. People are being screamed at, spit on, sworn at and physically assaulted. Somehow, a significant percentage of Americans have moved from viewing health care workers as heroes at the beginning of the pandemic to abusing them today.

We understand we are living through a transitional period in our history. However, we are committed to supporting and protecting our staff from all forms of abuse or assault. We are undertaking a systemwide effort to educate and protect our workers and eliminate violence within our walls by adopting a zero tolerance policy.

Let's pull together, East Lewis County. Our corner of the world is a special place, and we are better than this. Know, when you walk into a health care facility, you are entering a healing environment, and the people working there want to help you. At Arbor Health, we care like crazy. We thank you for returning that care to our people.

Categories: From Our CEO