National Hospital Week

To the Editor:

One of my favorite weeks of the year is National Hospital Week — this year, May 7-13 — when we celebrate all who contribute to ensuring our patients receive the best care possible in a clean, safe environment. I’m extremely proud of St. Mark’s entire team for bringing its best, every day, every shift, and for supporting each other through challenges faced.

This important week is designated by the American Hospital Association, and also allows us to thank our community for the privilege to serve our citizens and neighbors with compassionate, quality care. Every member of our staff is dedicated and honored to care for and protect the health of our community.

Hospitals are long esteemed as healing environments, but they also remain a vital link to ensure the well-being of communities. St. Mark’s continues to care for our most vulnerable patients in our Emergency Department, treating and stabilizing critically ill patients who may ultimately require more advanced care.

As important to our community are our outpatient services that help physicians diagnose and advance the health of their patients in a convenient location, close to home for our patients and their families.

We thank you for your ongoing trust and confidence in the care that St. Mark’s offers, and I ask that you join me in celebrating our St. Mark’s team who earned our hospital several awards and recognitions, including a four-star rating by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, an “A” Hospital Safety Grade rating by the Leapfrog Group, and accreditation by the Center for Improvement in Healthcare Quality (CIHQ).

Mark Kimball, FACHE President and CEO St. Mark’s Medical Center