CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Sunday marks the start of National Hospital Week, in which hospitals, clinicians and employees are marking the occasion by celebrating a theme of “We Are Health Care.”
“Community hospitals are essential to the people and places they serve, providing round-the-clock care to patients in need no matter the time of day,” West Virginia Hospital Association President and CEO Jim Kaufman.
“The more than 49,000 frontline health care providers who work in hospitals across West Virginia have demonstrated great resilience in the face of enormous challenges while working tirelessly and selflessly to keep West Virginians safe and healthy. Their steadfast mission of caring and compassion has saved lives, healed families and helped to protect communities.”
West Virginia’s hospitals contribute around $11.6 billion to West Virginia’s economy annually, and the facilities are some of the state’s largest employers.
“If we’ve learned anything over the last two years, it’s that our team of hospital leaders and volunteers are always prepared to answer the call,” Kaufman said.
“West Virginia’s hospitals are dedicated to serving the needs of their communities, even beyond traditional health care. With each health service, screening, education program and each dollar invested to help those in need, hospitals day in and day out work to advance the health of the communities they serve. Financial results can never adequately explain how people’s lives are touched, changed, and saved by services hospitals offer for free or significantly below cost.”
National Hospital Week goes through Saturday.