Albany Hilton Garden Inn becoming respite area for hospital workers

ALBANY, N.Y. » Albany’s Hilton Garden Inn is becoming a “Heroes Landing,” a respite for hospital workers fighting COVID-19.

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to intensify in the Capital Region and across New York state, healthcare workers will be at the forefront of the fight.

Albany Med and St. Peter’s Hospital continue to treat patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 and those experiencing symptoms of the virus, a press release said, noting that both hospitals also remain committed to serving patients facing health issues that are not related to the pandemic.

“Some heroes wear capes, ours wear scrubs – and they need help,” the release said.

It is expected that the challenges of treating this disease and the volume of patients will increase in the coming weeks as the number of infected people inches closer to its apex, and area hospitals begin treating patients from

other parts of New York state, the release said.

In response, SEFCU and other community partners have implemented an initiative to ensure that employees at Albany Med and St. Peter’s have the energy and support they need to combat COVID-19, protect the community, and save lives.

SEFCU spearheaded an effort in collaboration with BBL, and additional support from CDPHP and MVP Health Care, to transform the Hilton Garden Inn located by Albany Med into a Heroes Landing, a nearby respite for doctors, nurses and other medical professionals to receive muchneeded rest, nutrition, comfort, and strength between shifts.

“Every day, I am in awe of the compassion, caring and strength I see demonstrated by St. Peter’s Health Partners colleagues as they stand on the front lines in the battle against COVID-19. They are resolute in the face of adversity, always keeping the safety and health of each other, patients and families first and foremost in their minds. For that, I am so very grateful,” said James K. Reed, president and CEO of St. Peter’s Health Partners, in the release. “My gratitude also extends to our community, which has been so generous in its many offers to support our health care heroes, particularly our friends at SEFCU.

“From a recent donation of 1,200 critical N95 respirator masks, to the opening of this wonderful respite program for dedicated healthcare workers, SEFCU continues to be a community partner who sees a need and responds by going above and beyond – taking care of the people who take care of others.

“Their efforts in getting this program up and running in such short order, alongside other community leaders including BBL, CDPHP, and MVP, are nothing short of heroic in their own right. SEFCU’s support of our health care workers in this time of need is a blessing and we cannot thank them enough.”

Dennis P. McKenna, M.D., president and CEO of Albany Med added, “As Albany Med’s health care workers tirelessly battle the coronavirus pandemic, we commend, and thank, SEFCU, BBL, CDPHP, and MVP Health Care for creating a place nearby to help our colleagues on the front lines find rest and the opportunity to recharge between shifts. The overwhelming support and generosity of these community partners make a significant difference as we deliver safe, expert care to our friends, neighbors, and families.”

Entrances to the hotel will be staffed by SEFCU volunteers around the clock. These critical volunteers will be safely greeting our heroes with a smile, taking their temperature and asking a few standard screening questions.

Once inside Heroes Landing, visitors will receive a care package and a warm meal. They will also be given access to a room at the Hilton Garden Inn, which will allow them to decompress and recharge before returning to the front lines of this unprecedented battle to save lives and protect patients.

This respite will remain flexible, offering multiple room flips throughout the day to meet the needs of the medical professional who are working around the clock to serve patients and support their colleagues.

“While most of us stay home, follow social distancing guidelines, and do all we can to keep our families safe, these dedicated medical professionals are putting themselves in harm’s way to protect us and stop an adversary we have never seen before. To me, there is nothing more heroic than that,” SEFCU president and CEO Michael Castellana said in the release. “The coronavirus pandemic is challenging all of us, but this crisis is also proving that coming together as a community and supporting one another in our time of need is, in fact, the only way to succeed.

“While we can’t treat the sick, developing “Heroes Landing” is our way of joining the fight and helping those who can.”

Individuals and businesses who are interested in supporting Heroes Landing can email Helping@heroeslanding.org.