Stronger together
A message to the community from Dr. Joshua Tepper, President and CEO
I want to start by acknowledging how much has changed since the last issue of The Pulse. The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped our personal and professional lives. Health care systems across the world have been grappling with COVID-19.
Months ago, North York General Hospital (NYGH) mobilized its senior leaders to plan and prepare for the arrival of COVID-19. Within a few weeks, the novel coronavirus emerged as a lethal force. As an organization we took important action to protect patients, families, staff, physicians, learners and volunteers from the new virus. We took decisive steps to maximize our resources, prioritize services, and expand capacity. Since the outset, the hospital has worked closely with the local health authorities and our North York Toronto Health Partners to leverage best practices and combine expertise.
One issue I am very conscious of is the importance of communication. As an organization we try to ensure you always feel connected. You are likely reading a lot in the general media about the status of this virus around the world and here at home. Below, we are proud to share the efforts we have been making that have been captured in local media.
So much has changed. So much more will continue to change. Yet our values stay the same. Our skills, experience and ability to learn stays the same. Our commitment to patients, families and the community stays the same. Our desire to make a world of difference in every interaction stays the same. It is the things that are staying the same as all else changes that will get us through this difficult time.
We are one team, with a common goal; to emerge from this challenge healthier, stronger, and more united. We are at a critical crossroads. In order to make an impact, we need to work together to contain the spread of COVID-19 by practicing physical distancing, following public health guidelines and protecting our most vulnerable populations. Stay home, stay safe, stay healthy.
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The Globe and Mail joined us for a behind the scenes look at our planning and preparedness for COVID-19.
Read: How a Toronto hospital is staying ahead of public health officials in the coronavirus fight
North York General welcomed Dr. Brian Goldman, the host of CBC Radio’s White Coat, Black Art, to see first-hand the changes made to protect staff and patients. The piece highlights our efforts to create greater capacity for vital resources like personal protective equipment and ventilators, and our ability to respond quickly and establish new processes for patients coming to the emergency department, like the launch of our COVID Assessment Centre.
Listen: ‘These are historic numbers’ – How one Toronto hospital is preparing to battle COVID-19 |
For more information and resources visit www.nygh.on.ca and follow us on Twitter @NYGH_News.