As our 2021 Hospital Week celebration winds down, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank each of you for being part of Upson Regional Medical Center. The work you do each day, each night, is what makes URMC such a strong organization, and such an important resource that our population knows they can trust.
Almost 15 months ago, we began a journey down a path we had never seen before. A dark path for which we didn’t know the final destination. And although it’s now brighter, we still can’t quite see what’s at the end of this path.
There have been times in which the demands were so intense, the unknowns so numerous, and the emotion so overwhelming that focus and confidence were hard to find. But we found comfort in each other, and comfort in the fact that we were here to serve others. We maintained our focus and outwardly displayed confidence even when we didn’t feel confident. Even if the needs of those we serve at times seemed almost more than we could handle.
During lunch on Wednesday, Clauneise shared with us a message from Andra Day’s song “Rise Up.” “And I’ll rise up, high like the waves. I’ll rise up, in spite of the ache. I’ll rise up, and I’ll do it a thousand times again…” I found that so powerful in terms of reflecting our organization’s journey since this pandemic began.
If there is a silver lining to all we have been through, it may be this…
Those who choose to work in healthcare make a choice to give a part of themselves in service to others. This is truly heroic—it always has been.
But the publicity around the pandemic means the entire world now knows what heroes all of you are.
I remain in awe of what you do, each and every day. And it is indeed my honor to be here with you.
Happy Hospital Week.
Jeff
