COMMUNITY MESSAGE JANUARY 6, 2021
Should auld acquaintance be forgot And never brought to mind … We’ll take a cup of kindness yet, For auld lang syne.
2021 could not arrive soon enough right?
Who hasn’t thought, heard, or felt this sentiment these days as we bid good riddance to the year that changed everything? How we work, how we interact with others, even how we wash our hands… Just name it, the pandemic changed it. And now, as we ring in a New Year, our hopes and expectations are raised for 2021.
Although the impact of the pandemic has been far worse on many people, none of us left 2020 the same way we came in. That’s our Auld Lang Syne we need to sing to honor others and all we have gone through together. When the ball dropped, when the bells rang, I hope you remembered to celebrate how we got here: humility, empathy, resilience.
While most New Year’s celebrations are filled with parties and celebrations remembering the past year, this past year has been the opposite: frighteningly surreal–like that nightmare of trying to run away from something, but you’re caught in Alabama mud and your legs just can’t move fast enough. The real race, of course, has been vaccine vs. virus, and it appears we will finally win in 2021. But without 2020 and all its challenges, we would not be on the cusp of one of the world’s most important achievements in recent memory. The human spirit is undefeated, and that’s what we remember and celebrate. Troy Regional received the first of its allocations of the Moderna vaccines last week and the vaccinations of our front line healthcare workers, EMS, and Fire / Rescue personnel has begun. Additional groups of essential personnel will follow as we receive other allocations.
Throughout the challenges of 2020, the character of our healthcare heroes and essential workers has shown through. I am so very proud of the entire team at Troy Regional Medical Center. I have tremendous hope for the year ahead thanks to the people who have carried us through one of the most challenging periods in our history. While we continue to work to prevent the spread of the virus, I am optimistic that 2021 is going to be a year of recovery for our world thanks to the amazing scientists and researchers who have developed vaccines in an extraordinarily short period of time.
I hope you all enjoyed a safe holiday and wish for you and your family health and happiness. Here’s to old acquaintance, never forgot, and for the new acquaintance we’ll make in the New Year. Together, we’ll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.
The Troy Regional team is always here for our community. You’re not alone, We’re right here.
Rick E Smith, FACHE
Chief Executive Officer
Troy Regional Medical Center
HEALTHCARE CLOSE TO HOME!