Hospital chief grateful to staff, community during pandemic

I write to express my gratitude to Reading Hospital employees and our community members for their support during the COVID-19 crisis. Each of you has worked to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community.

Front-line team members have done something extraordinary: They came to work daily to do their part in fighting a global health crisis. They provided care and compassion to every COVID-19 patient and the many others who called upon Reading Hospital for help. They have done this while managing a great deal of professional and personal stress with extreme grace.

I also extend a thank you to you, our community, who made a vital contribution by staying home, practicing social distancing, and proper hand hygiene to help reduce the spread of infection. Your actions helped keep individuals safe. You also supported the safety of the healthcare team caring for our sickest patients.

As we implement a phased reopening of our health care facilities, rigorous cleaning and disinfecting processes and procedures have been implemented.

We have expanded telehealth offerings to reduce the number of patients in offices, and, when appropriate, provide convenient care in the safety and comfort of your home. We will screen our caregivers and patients for COVID-19 symptoms, require face masks and appropriate personal protective equipment for all staff. Patients will be required to wear face masks in all facilities.

At Reading Hospital, we remain steadfast in our promise of advancing health and transforming lives. Thank you for trusting us with your health.

—William M. Jennings,

President and CEO,

Reading Hospital