By Chris Cosby, CEO of Poinciana Medical Center
The COVID-19 pandemic has created many unexpected challenges for our local community and beyond. At Poinciana Medical Center (PMC), we’ve had to adapt quickly to provide an enhanced safety experience for our patients and colleagues. As part of this response, we implemented our Four Pillars of Enhanced Safety through our HEALTHIER TOMORROWS Initiative, which focuses on controlled access points, safe distancing, infection prevention and designated care paths and teams for those patients who are positive or potentially positive for COVID-19.
With the pandemic having a significant impact on our community, the hospital has appreciated our volunteers who have helped boost morale when it has been needed most – even from afar. While our long-time volunteers can’t visit the hospital due to current safety measures, this dedicated group has maintained their acts of service off-site in a variety of meaningful ways.
The Poinciana Medical Center volunteer program mobilized to raise $500 for Osceola County Meals on Wheels and Osceola County Food Angels, thanks in large part to volunteer-based fundraisers. Volunteers have assisted with the proper disposal of the hospital’s retired American and State of Florida flags, as well as supported the marketing team by ensuring questions from community members posted to the hospital’s Facebook page are addressed in a timely manner. Multiple volunteers have also spent countless hours sewing mask extenders to help make PPE (personal protective equipment) more comfortable for hospital staff during long shifts.
Through this type of service, our many selfless volunteers have proven themselves to be true community ambassadors. They’ve also been an inspiration to our staff during this time of high stress and new challenges. Even something as small as a handmade mask extender has a huge impact on these caregivers. Not only do they feel supported, they are better equipped to provide exceptional care with the utmost protection and improved comfort.
With the mantra “Care Like Family,” PMC operates by putting people first. Our volunteers are a valued part of our family, and we’ve missed seeing them in the halls of our hospital. I’d like to take a moment on behalf of the hospital team to thank our volunteers for the service they’ve been providing this year. As the pandemic continues, I’m certain they will remain an excellent representation of our hospital’s mission and strong pillars for the community.
