Hi Team –

 

As we turn the calendar and begin a new month, we can all hope the old adage about March coming “in like a lion and out like a lamb” holds true. Better weather, longer days, and a much-anticipated return to some of our favorite outdoor activities are just around the corner. Let’s also hope that we are turning the corner on this now two-year global pandemic and that we will soon transition into a more manageable endemic state by keeping COVID in check with vaccines, powerful therapeutics, and increasing immunity.  

 

Our optimism related to the end of the pandemic phase of COVID is tied directly to the continued decline in new COVID cases and hospitalizations at the national, regional and local levels. As indicated in the sidebar to the right, TriHealth’s current COVID inpatient census has decreased by more than 30% in the past week and is now at just 50 inpatients – the lowest level we’ve seen since last August. And the number of team members and physicians off work with COVID has dropped from more than 600 in January to less than 20 today.   

 

Perhaps most encouraging, last Friday, the CDC announced it will be relaxing its mask guidelines in communities where both hospitals are not under high strain and case rates are low. With nearly all of the counties in our region now falling into the “medium” risk category, TriHealth is closely monitoring CDC guidance and collaborating with the region’s other health systems to determine when and how best to safely “de-mask” in non-clinical areas. As we have done with every decision made throughout this pandemic, we will prioritize the safety of our patients, visitors and healthcare workers and act in accordance with the guidance provided by CDC and other public health experts… so stay tuned! 

 

Without a doubt, the past two years have been among the most difficult in our careers and lives, filled with previously unthinkable hardships and sacrifices. And these hardships have resulted in a level of stress, emotional toll, and even trauma, on our people like we have never seen before. We know that acknowledging and addressing the human toll of this pandemic will be the first step for TriHealth and all of us to heal and to emerge strong and healthy, as we continue our important work of Getting Healthcare Right. So, the TriHealth leadership team has been working to create programs and to put in place resources that will further support our people as we all recover from this two-year pandemic with a renewed sense of well-being, resilience and purpose. 

 

To help guide this work, I’m pleased to inform you that we will be conducting a series of conversations during the month of March to solicit feedback and gain additional insights into the current state of our team members and providers, as well as specific issues and needs to be addressed. In all, we will host nearly 30 listening sessions across our hospitals, ambulatory campuses and practices during March. Designed to foster authentic dialogue, the groups will be limited to eight to ten team members per session. If you would like to participate in one of these listening sessions, please speak with your leader to inform them of your interest or email lifestyles@trihealth.com. The team will work with leaders to ensure we have full representation of team members across all shifts, departments and business units. 

 

Informed by these conversations, the team led by Dr. Helen Koselka, Terri Hanlon-Bremer, and Rev. Frank Nation will then work with system and local leaders to develop department and site-specific work plans to address identified needs and priorities. I plan to share key themes and priorities from these sessions in one of my April Weekly Updates. And while there is no quick or easy fix to the important work of recovering from this pandemic, we will face and overcome this most recent challenge just as we have overcome every previous COVID challenge – by coming together, working together and always putting our patients first, as One Team, TriHealth Strong!  

 

As part of National Women’s History Month every March, we honor the thousands of inspiring and accomplished women physicians, nurses, team members, leaders and volunteers here at TriHealth who positively impact the lives of those we serve in our community. Our roots as a healthcare organization were established by the pioneering women who led the Sisters of Charity and the German Methodist Deaconesses more than 125 years ago. Stay tuned to Bridge and our social media channels throughout the month as we shine the spotlight on the extraordinary TriHealth women – team members, physicians, leaders and trustees – who carry on the legacy of our founders, working tirelessly to provide healing and hope to our entire community. 

 

Don’t miss your chance to send in your design for our 2022 Healthcare Heroes Week t-shirt. Voted on by our team members, the winning t-shirt design will be unveiled during Healthcare Heroes Week, May 9-15, as we celebrate ALL of our amazing team members and physicians. Visit Bridge for contest details and to submit your design. Don’t be late: t-shirt designs must be received by this Friday, March 4! 

 

The brighter days we’ve been anticipating are nearly here. New COVID cases and hospitalizations are down sharply, and there is growing optimism that we will soon be moving into the endemic or more manageable phase of this public health crisis. And as cases continue to decline and our Cincinnati weather improves, be sure to take some much-deserved time for yourself to rest, relax and recharge.  

 

Thanks for all you do!