October 27, 2020
Hi Team –
Sadly, we’ve seen another week of steady increases in COVID cases and hospitalizations throughout the state and here at TriHealth – mirroring national trends (see latest COVID stats in sidebar). Last week, the region’s health systems joined with the Health Collaborative for a press conference to speak with one voice in urging the public to do everything possible to comply with proven mitigation measures – including masking, social distancing, and not gathering – to slow the spread and prevent the need for a more drastic, mandated response. Dr. Helen Koselka, Good Samaritan Region CMO, represented TriHealth and spoke about our readiness to respond to future surges and the importance of community members adhering to the common-sense mitigation measures.
Click here to view Dr. Koselka’s remarks.
TriHealth Prepared to “Stay Open” Through Next Wave of COVID Journey. With the worrisome spike in COVID cases and seemingly daily media reports projecting future “worst case” scenarios, it’s understandable that concerns are high regarding hospital capacity and the potential for another round of mandated shutdowns and furloughs. I want to reassure you that TriHealth has been working with the region’s other health systems almost non-stop since March to prepare for the reality we are now facing. We are ready to address this next COVID wave and do not anticipate another state-imposed shutdown in elective procedures or new furloughs. In fact, we expect, and have been preparing for, an even greater need for full staff capacity than ever before!
While it’s likely we will continue to see a rise in cases and hospitalizations through the fall and winter, TriHealth’s surge plans are designed to assure we are well-equipped to safely care for an influx of COVID-positive patients, as well as ALL other patients requiring elective and emergency care. We have spent the last seven months building our stocks of PPE (more than 900 days of N95 masks!), hiring and onboarding new clinical staff, improving throughput and patient flow, operationalizing additional inpatient beds, putting in place contingency surge plans, and collaborating with local health systems to be ready for this moment. So we remain confident that we will be ready and available for anyone who needs our services in the community, no matter what! To do so, we will need every single team member, physician, and leader to help us manage through this next phase of our COVID journey. Staffing, in many ways, will be more important for “staying open” than physical beds, facilities or technology. So our plea is to stay safe, take care of yourself, and be vigilant in adhering to our COVID Always Behaviors – TriHealth and Your Community Need You!!
I also want you to know that we will continue to make open, honest, real-time communications our top priority through this next phase of our COVID journey. If there is a change in our operations status, you will be the FIRST TO KNOW. And if necessary, we will quickly increase the frequency of our livestreamed leadership and team member/physician Town Halls – which we held weekly during the first COVID wave and now hold monthly – to ensure our team stays informed and up to date on COVID news. Additionally, please continue to look to this Weekly Update and our COVID Bridge page for the latest COVID information and support resources.
Recapping TriHealth’s Latest Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Activities. TriHealth’s DEI initiatives, lessons learned, and FY2021 plans took center stage last week locally and nationally. As I shared in my last Weekly Update, I had the honor of representing TriHealth at Modern Healthcare Magazine’s panel discussion titled, “A Conversation: How Racial Equity in Healthcare Starts in the C-Suite (and Boardroom)” to talk about the healthcare industry imperatives for investing in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Modern Healthcare Magazine also published TriHealth’s guest column in its Breaking Bias opinion/editorial series, which you can click here to read. Additionally, we closed out our Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations last Tuesday with our lively DEI Town Hall conversation. I’d like to, once again, thank Marla Silliman, my co-host, and our guest panelists – Dr. Rosa Robles, Dr. Angel Mena, Dr. Betsy Peerless, and Grace Casellas, RN – for their insights and thoughtful discussion! If you weren’t able to participate, you can view the entire Town Hall on Bridge by clickinghere, or click here to review highlights.
Sadly, earlier this month, the world lost Dr. Dolores Shockley, a pioneering Black woman and trailblazer in the field of pharmacology, and closer to home, the beloved mother of our own Dr. Thomas Shockley, orthopedic surgeon and Medical Director of the TriHealth Orthopedics and Sports Institute. Our condolences go out to Dr. Shockley and the Shockley family, and we honor his mother’s legacy, which you can read more about by clicking here.
TriHealth’s Healthcare Heroes Honored by Cincinnati Reds. TriHealth’s team members and providers are being honored by the Cincinnati Reds for their acts of bravery and heroism throughout the pandemic – and this recognition could not be more deserved!! Look for Joi Carter,Manager, Patient Experience, Heather Brewsaugh,LPN, CJ Adams,Nurse Manager, and Heather Barno,Nursing Assistant who are proudly representing all of our TriHealth Heroes on banners displayed around the Great America Ball Park. Another meaningful example of our position in the community as TriHealth Strong – One Team, One Sacred Mission, One Great Health System!
Benefits Open Enrollment is Here
Today through November 6 is your opportunity to elect benefits coverage for January 2, 2021-December 31, 2021. Visit HRCentral (Bridge > HRCentral > Benefits) to enroll, review the Totally Yours Total Rewards Guide or listen to a recorded Benefit Forum. You can also visit Bridge for a schedule of socially-distanced Computer Labs. If you do not enroll in benefits by November 6, you will not have insurance coverage beginning January 1, 2021.
Get Your Flu Shot
All TriHealth team members, clinical and non-clinical, are required to get a flu vaccination by Friday, Nov. 6. If you haven’t gotten yours yet, visit an Employee Health flu shot clinic, a TriHealth Priority Care location, a TriHealth Clinic at Walgreens location, your primary care physician, or another vendor and submit your paperwork. Visit Bridge for all details.
TAGS to Honor TriHealth Veterans
TriHealth and TAGS (TriHealth Armed-Forces Group and Supporters) are celebrating TriHealth Veterans by providing them with a free lunch on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, at all TriHealth locations. If you are actively serving or a veteran, please email Larry Mayborg by Nov. 4 to receive your free meal voucher.
Salute to our veterans, my heroes
My Brother just passed away on 10-12 th did 2 tours of duty in Vietnam
I'm very proud of him
Posted by: Dianne Lindsey on October 27, 2020
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