NOTE: This message was emailed to all Ballad Health team members on Tuesday, May 7, from Alan Levine, CEO and president of Ballad Health.
Dear colleague,
This is always a special week for Ballad Health, as we take some time to recognize our extremely special nurses and all those team members who support the important clinical work we do to serve our patients. May 6 through May 12 is National Nurses Week and also Healthcare Week!
Over the past several years, you’ve found the courage and faith to weather the COVID-19 pandemic that changed the face of healthcare across the globe. And while many think “COVID is gone,” we know the lingering impact of it better than anyone. The indelible impact of the historic labor shortages has affected no group of people more than those who work in healthcare.
What inspires me is that, despite the burden the shortages have borne on each of us, we all share the same values of caring, honesty, respect, faith, quality and creativity – each of these necessary to help make sure that we do our best to mitigate the impact of these shortages on our patients. No doubt, our patients have felt it, but the commitment I see in each of you every day to do your best to make the environment safe and to focus on the needs of our patients and their families is not unnoticed.
We know this shortage has been a challenge, and we are pleased that, because of all of us working together, we are beginning to see some improvement. Our turnover in nursing is the lowest it’s been since before COVID. We are seeing larger numbers of new team members in orientation. Our waiting times in the emergency departments, while at times still very long, are actually among the best performing among some of the nation’s leading health systems. The overwhelming recognition we’ve received from organizations like U.S. News, CareChex and Healthgrades speaks volumes about the work you do. I know it sometimes is hard to believe, given the challenges, but the reality is those challenges have affected ALL hospitals and health systems. And the reality is that Ballad Health is recovering faster and better than most. This is a product of your work, and your commitment to our shared values.
As team members at a healthcare system, we commit to our roles with empathy and servant leadership. Through your job roles, many of you experience the gamut of the human experience, both the joys and struggles. It’s inspiring to witness how you do this with grace, compassion and dignity. Those of you who don’t stand directly at the patient bedside, you play a vital role in supporting those who are. We’re honored to celebrate you. You play an important part in caring for those we serve.
As we celebrate National Nurses Week and Healthcare Week, on behalf of the Ballad Health Board of Directors and the senior management team, we are grateful for your commitment to building a legacy of superior health in the region we call home.
Thank you and God bless.
