HCA Healthcare colleagues lead by example to ‘Spread knowledge. Save lives’

This past Sunday, August 9, the United States surpassed 5 million confirmed cases of COVID-19. To curb the spread of the virus, public health officials call on community members to exercise three simple – yet important – safety measures to protect themselves and others:

• Wash your hands
• Keep your distance
• Wear a face mask

Experts have touted the use of face masks as one of the most powerful tools to reduce person-to-person coronavirus transmission and most states now have some type of mask requirement in place while in public. Last month, in an editorial published to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reviewed the latest science to uphold that cloth face coverings can reduce the spread of COVID-19, especially when worn universally within communities.

Demonstrating leadership in our communities

Throughout the course of the pandemic, we’ve seen our approximately 280,000 colleagues spanning from Alaska to the United Kingdom make a profound difference in the lives of those we serve. We’re demonstrating leadership in our behaviors both inside and outside of work so that we can stay as healthy as possible to respond to our patients. But, we can’t do this without the help of those around us.

It is important that we, as individuals and as community members, protect our communities, our families and ourselves by washing our hands, keeping our distance and wearing a face mask.

Hear from our colleagues below who are leading by example:

“As a mom, a daughter, a friend and a neighbor the least I can do for those I care about is wear a mask, wash my hands and keep my distance.”

Anais Ochoa, registered nurse at Las Palmas Medical Center in El Paso, Texas (HCA Healthcare’s Central and West Texas Division)

“I encourage everybody to stay safe and wear a mask and be careful because the second wave is hitting hard. We are seeing a shift in age range of patients that are not as old as two months ago. Now we have the 40 year olds, the 30 year olds; just be careful and protect yourself when you are outside.”

Adriana Tello, ICU nurse at Aventura Hospital and Medical Center in Aventura, Florida (HCA Healthcare’s East Florida Divison)

“I count it a privilege to care for patients and I know it is my responsibility as a healthcare professional to wear a mask, socially distance and wash my hands.”

Marquita Sparkman, director of critical care at Medical City Fort Worth in Fort Worth, Texas (HCA Healthcare’s North Texas Division)

“You know my family depends on me, my colleagues depend on me in fact this whole community depends on me so that is why I am wearing a mask, staying socially distanced and washing my hands A LOT.”

Craig Bielik, hospital communications director with Ogden Regional Medical Center, in Ogden, Utah (HCA Healthcare’s Mountain Division)

“As a cancer nurse, a colleague and a member of my local community, I am proud to wear my mask, follow social distancing advice and practice good hand hygiene. These simple steps protect our patients and allow us to continue to provide care safely.”

Sarah Machin, lead macmillian clinical nurse specialist at The Christie Private Care in the United Kingdom (HCA Healthcare’s International Division)

“The collective act of service, in the face of this global pandemic is what we are made for. We have a responsibility to care for those who are sick and for each other. It is more important now than ever to come together.”

Laura Perdue, interim emergency services director at Mission Health in Asheville, North Carolina (HCA Healthcare’s North Carolina Division)

“I wear my mask because I’m responsible for keeping myself and my baby as safe as possible, while also looking out for the well-being of others.”

Kaitlyn Wilson, administrative assistant at Ocala Health in Summerfield, Florida (HCA Healthcare’s North Florida Division)

“We all need to stay on guard, everyone can help fight the spread of COVID-19.”

Bobby Lopez, director of environmental services at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas (HCA Healthcare’s San Antonio Division)

“Above all else, I am committed to the care and improvement of human life and that is why I wear a mask.”

Honor Leahy, communications specialist with information protection & security at HCA Healthcare’s corporate office in Nashville, Tennessee

“My family depends on me, my colleagues depend on me and my community depends on me. That’s why I wear a mask, keep my distance and wash my hands. I hope you will too.”

Heather Rohan, president of the TriStar Division in Nashville, Tennessee (HCA Healthcare’s TriStar Division)

“At West Hills Hospital, we are working hard to keep you safe.  Please do your part by wearing a mask to protect yourself and others.”

Janeanne Morgan, director of emergency services at West Hills Hospital and Medical Center in West Hills, California (HCA Healthcare’s Far West Division)

“I count it as a privilege to care for patients, and I know it’s my responsibility as a healthcare professional to wear a mask, socially distance and be vigilant about washing my hands. It’s just another way I care like family.”

Lindsey Fitzgerald, clinical professional development educator at Frankfort Regional Medical Center in Frankfort, Kentucky (HCA Healthcare’s Capital Division)

“I’m comforted in knowing that I can be proactive in protecting myself and my loved ones by continuing to wear masks, social distance and practice good hand hygiene.”

Angela Baker, nurse at Doctors Hospital of Sarasota in Sarasota, Florida (HCA Healthcare’s West Florida Division)

“The least I can do for those I care about is to wear a mask, keep socially distant and wash my hands.  It is how I care like family for my family and for our patients and community.  You can do these things too, join me.”

Dr. Mary Devers, physician and medical director at CareNow in Kansas City, Missouri (HCA Healthcare’s MidAmerica Division)

“I know I am a role model to many others and that is why I tell everyone I know to wear a mask, stay away from crowds and wash their hands – that is caring like family, that is HCA Healthcare.”

Geri Schiff, an exercise physiologist at Rose Medical Center in Denver, Colorado (HCA Healthcare’s Continental Division)

“I wear my mask every day to protect myself and others, the need for a mask doesn’t end when my shift is over.”

Zujeidy Torres, an emergency room technician at Valley Regional Medical Center in Brownsville, Texas (HCA Healthcare’s Gulf Coast Division)

“As a healthcare leader, a dad, a son, a friend, and a neighbor, the least I can do for those I care about is to wear a mask, keep my distance socially and wash my hands. It’s how I care for my family, for our patients and community.”

Rob Ward, nurse and director of central Georgia market at Fairview Park Hospital in Dublin, Georgia (HCA Healthcare’s South Atlantic Division)

Thank you to all of our colleagues for their commitment to caring for others. For more information on the importance of wearing a mask, social distancing and washing your hands, visit the CDC’s website here.