UM St. Joseph Honors Health Care Heroes During Pandemic
More Than 2,500 Employees of UM St. Joseph Medical Center Honored as Part of University of Maryland Medical System's Week-long Health Care Heroes Celebration
Each May, National Nurses Week and National Hospital Week are significant, overlapping annual observances that honor the work of nurses and all health care workers across the nation. This year, during a time of unprecedented challenge for health care workers in every setting, University of Maryland Medical System has chosen to combine the observances and celebrate Health Care Heroes Week, from May 10-16. This week is about honoring the entire workforce that has come together as a united team to meet the needs of the communities we serve.
"This collective celebration honors our entire team of staff members, who have come together, regardless of their role or location, to offer unrivaled patient care and extraordinary support to each other at this most critical time," said Mohan Suntha, MD, MBA, President and CEO, University of Maryland Medical System. "This all-inclusive recognition, which spans the second week in May—the time usually dedicated to Hospital Week, which includes Florence Nightingale's 200th birthday on May 12—is a fitting time to recognize our team in its entirety, for the sacrifices they've made, together, to stand on the front lines of care throughout the pandemic."
"I join my colleagues across the University of Maryland Medical System in rightfully praising the work of our staff at UM St. Joseph Medical Center," said Thomas B. Smyth, President and CEO, UM St. Joseph Medical Center. "Our nurses and the equally dedicated team of caregivers and support staff who work alongside them to save and change lives, have faced unique and complex challenges. Throughout it all, they stand ready, offering critically needed care that is safe, compassionate and unwavering."
The system's Health Care Heroes Week includes small gifts of appreciation for staff members, internal and public messages of thanks and special celebratory activities at each location. "Health Care Heroes Week commemorates the tremendous work of the 28,000-strong across our entire system," said Dr. Suntha.
Voices from the Front Line: Health Care Heroes, in Their Own Words
"Health Care Hero" is not a name we wear lightly, and heroes have many faces. To speak with some UM St. Joseph team members—both clinical and non-clinical staff—who are supporting our life-saving work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, please reach out to the media contact(s) listed. The hospital/medical system can provide media assets, both photos and videos, available upon request.
About UM St. Joseph Medical Center
UM St. Joseph Medical Center (UM SJMC), founded in 1864 by the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, is a 218-bed Catholic, not-for-profit regional medical center in Towson, Maryland. A member of the 13-hospital University of Maryland Medical System, UM SJMC is located in suburban Baltimore County, and offers a wide range of superb clinical programs and centers of excellence, including the Cancer, Heart and Orthopaedic Institutes, Women and Children's services and Emergency Medicine. Our mission: To provide loving service and compassionate, leading-edge care to all. For more information, visit umstjoseph.org.
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