(Courtesy of St. Mary’s General Hospital) “On behalf of the staff at St. Mary’s General Hospital we want to thank the frum community for that beautiful Salute to St. Mary’s General Hospital Health Care Workers that Rochie Sommer organized,” said Vanessa Warner, director of marketing. “Cars were going by the hospital for at least a half-hour with drivers honking and kids waving from the windows and holding up signs! It was a really moving tribute that the staff appreciated. With all that they are going through with COVID-19 patients, this event helped staff understand how much they are loved by the community.
“Several different organizations and local schools were involved, and it was a way for the community to literally applaud the hospital team for all their incredible work. Events like these are important for morale, of course, but they also help strengthen our ties to the communities that we serve, and we encourage the positive support during this depressing time and always.”
It is a tribute also to the community to have their children take the time to prepare signs and cards for the staff to let them know that they care – like this one who said: “To all of those amazing doctors and nurses helping people with the covid-19. During these rough times there is a feeling of being insecure but the thought of people helping others brings me relief. Thank you for your hard work for trying stop the covid-19 and helping people recover from it. Your deeds are very heroic.”
Early in the day, police and fire departments of three of New Jersey’s largest cities: Passaic, Clifton and Paterson, along with Passaic Mayor Hector Lora came together with full force to St. Mary’s General Hospital to honor and thank the team for their work and dedication during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Several dozen of the hospital team members lined outside the hospital to see the impressive parade of police and fire vehicles. Mayor Lora spoke briefly to the crowd, whom he referred to as “heroes.” Many were touched by the procession of fellow first responder support, several with tears in their eyes as it circled the hospital building.
Mayor Lora said: “We’re in this together; we’re going to get through it together. So, God bless you, God bless the city of Passaic and God bless the United States of America!”
Last week, St. Mary’s General was paid a visit by a “Video Van”—sent from the city of Passaic—during the hospital’s lunch hour. This is one of the more creative ways Mayor Lora has used to thank St. Mary’s General Hospital and the Passaic police, fire & EMS teams for their courageous work on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis. The van was covered in jumbo-sized video screens displaying pictures of our hospital team as well as members of the city’s other first responders.
In addition to conveying his support via video, Mayor Lora has also helped the hospital procure PPE, supplies, and food donations for the team.
The hospital has an ongoing need for staff. Through the Prime Healthcare system, nurses have been transferred from Alabama to help at St. Mary’s, and temporary agency nurses have been hired. If you are interested in working at St. Mary’s General or for additional information please contact the Community Liaison, George Matyjewicz, PhD, at [email protected].
St. Mary’s General Hospital is located at 350 Boulevard, and is Passaic’s only hospital, providing service to Passaic, Bergen and Essex Counties. For more information, please visit www.smh-nj.com. For the latest updates, photos and videos, please follow and like St. Mary’s General Hospital’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/stmarysgeneral.
