by Kay Whitley BSN, RN, MBA, NHA,
Chief Executive Officer and Nursing Home Administrator
WALSENBURG — It’s safe to say, most of us are enduring the highest levels of collective adversity we’ve ever experienced. We feel vulnerable and uncertain. Uncertain about possible health risks, our jobs and the nation’s economy. Uncertain even when we might get to leave our homes.
But there’s good news – we are strong. We are not helpless in this situation.
Southern Colorado has a long and proud history of endurance and adaptation. We endured and adapted when the local mining industry collapsed. We’ve rallied together to overcome depression, wars, fires and disease. I am confident there is nothing the strong and determined residents of this region cannot overcome and we will overcome this.
As CEO of the Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center, the most important messaging I can communicate are the critical steps each of us MUST TAKE NOW. We must continue and even increase our at-home quarantines and social distancing. We must continue to properly wash our hands – and that means 20-seconds, with warm water and plenty of soap.
These are simple steps that every one of us is capable of, but they are remarkably powerful in making you safer; not to mention protecting the nation’s millions of heroes throughout healthcare, law enforcement, military and countless other critical women and men.
Do not let up. Don’t become complacent in these steps. Renew your dedication to them daily and encourage others to do the same.
Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center is Here for You. From the onset of COVID-19’s arrival in the U.S., we have been in constant contact with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), leading health experts throughout the nation and authorities at federal, state and local levels. Our approach has been to maximize every resource available to us in effort to keep you informed and to be prepared for every scenario.
This week, we established a COVID Clinic – a dedicated temporary unit to assist in triage of symptomatic residents. We’re working diligently to secure additional ventilators and other equipment to combat the pandemic.
Our beloved Spanish Peaks Veterans Community Living Center is fully functional, and residents are in good spirits, though we have restricted visitor access per federal mandate. This home to so many local heroes is a source of pride and joy for all of us and our staff is doing everything possible to ensure the safety and well-being of our veteran residents while providing comfort to any who need a little morale boost.
Being Huerfano County’s largest employer, chances are good you know someone who works for Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center or the Veterans Community Living Center. Our staff is made up of your friends, neighbors and others who are willing to risk their personal health to serve all of you. Many team members are literally working 18-hour days, 7 days per week.
We are truly grateful for every employee who is supporting this monumental effort and extend that gratitude to their families as they miss their loved ones during this hardship. We also thank our steadfast board of directors as they’ve supported us and provided wise council throughout.
We’re equally grateful for YOU , our community and neighbors. Your adherence to recommended guidelines has been commendable. Your encouragement to us and to each other means more than you will ever know. The outpouring of support from the community – in the form of monetary donations, supply donations and volunteers – has been remarkable and meaningful to all of us. From the bottom of my heart, thank you! We’ll continue to share invaluable information via Facebook and encourage you to follow us at facebook.com/sprhchealth. You can always call us at 719-738-4569. Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center is Here for You.
