This blog was originally posted in 2020. Some information may be out of date. For the latest updates on vaccines, testing, screening, visitor policy and post-COVID support, visit EEHealth.org/coronavirus.

We have all been through a lot these last couple of months. We have seen moments of sadness, moments of frustration, moments of hope and most gratifying — moments of increased kindness and connection with people we love. There is no denying; this worldwide coronavirus pandemic has changed us forever.

I think it is so important that our community know about all of the things that have not changed — our absolute focus on safety, the unwavering commitment of our staff to care for people who need us, and the single-minded, forward-focused drive of our team members to help when they’re needed, to make a real difference, to improve the health of our communities.

You have seen many images on television and in social media — hospitals overrun with sick patients, lines of people waiting for testing, overwhelmed staff at the breaking point. We, too, have faced many challenges, but I want you all to know with absolute certainty — we are safe, we are here for you, we have very effectively faced this challenge head on at Edward-Elmhurst Health.

We have always placed the safety of you and your family at the forefront of everything we do. For over five years, we have used a high reliability safety program, the kind of safety protocol used at airlines, in order to eliminate error at our healthcare facilities, like the spread of infection. Every employee has received training on the use of a set of tools and practices that has been proven to decrease error and increase safety in healthcare.

We have received national recognition for our safety and quality practices. I can say with absolute certainty — our hospitals are among the safest in the country. I tell you this because I think it’s so important that you understand — Edward-Elmhurst Health is prepared to continue keeping you healthy.

We have developed the Edward-Elmhurst Safety Commitment in order to reinforce and communicate the steps we are taking as a health system. It is our commitment to you and to each other that we will continue to put safety ahead of everything else we do. We want you to know what you can expect when you visit one of our facilities. You can read more here.

I am so incredibly proud of the staff of Edward-Elmhurst Health. They have worked tirelessly on the frontlines — preparing for this outbreak, caring for patients, and coming up with innovative solutions. Their passion for caring inspires me every day. If ever there were heroes among us, it is them.