Stories from the Front Lines

Here are the stories of health care workers across the field fighting coronavirus, collaborating with their communities, supporting each other and coping every day. They are real people overcoming extraordinary challenges and saving lives.

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Daily update from NCH CEO, Marty Fattig: COVID-19

In rural Nebraska, a hospital CEO has posted daily updates about the COVID-19 pandemic, sharing important information with staff and the entire community since late March.

Mayo Clinic ambulance paramedic

In a compelling video interview, four front-line health care professionals with Mayo Clinic share their experiences caring for COVID-19 patients.

Nurse putting mask on elderly patient in bed

Kootenai Health, based in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, used powerful photos of its COVID-19 isolation unit to create an inspiring "thank you, heroes" video.

2 staff members taking a break, relaxing in massage chairs - Conway (Arkansas) Regional Health System

Conway (Arkansas) Regional Health System was beginning to work toward 2020 goals and priorities when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Here's how the leadership team refocused priorities, using a three-pronged approach to address challenges.

Compiled image of three faces - Video chat style

Like many other rural hospitals, Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin, Minnesota, has increased virtual health visits with patients, improving access and transforming health care delivery.

Multiple hands on top of each other

As part of the Healthy St. Landry Alliance, Opelousas General Health System in Louisiana helped develop a coordinated communications pipeline to address residents' needs during the pandemic.

Sanford Health logo

A website launched during the pandemic provides reliable resources for people to manage their mental health and seek help for loved ones and themselves when needed.

Elderly person video chatting

A program at UAMS Health in Arkansas pairs medical residents, fellows and students with older adult patients for virtual social visits.

Kansas Loves Healthcare logo

The Kansas Hospital Association launched an initiative with several ways for people to show appreciation to health care heroes during the pandemic.

Boy with mask holding a plush puppy with a mask on

WVU Medicine in West Virginia, like other hospitals and health systems, is keeping patients and communities updated on the ever-changing COVID-19 landscape.

Alaska Regional personal working together

In Anchorage, Alaska, a regional hospital prepares for a second surge of COVID-19 cases, with six months' experience and more knowledge about the virus.

Person rolled in hallway of hospital emergency department

Emergency departments across the U.S. face enormous pressure during the pandemic. This story spotlights the ED team at University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.

Pediatricians Lead Diaper Donation Efforts for Parents

To meet the needs of parents with babies during the pandemic, pediatricians and staff at Monument Health Spearfish in South Dakota are coordinating donations of diapers.

butler anxiety social media image

Butler Hospital, a psychiatric hospital in Rhode Island, shares encouragement and ideas for managing anxiety and stress during the pandemic.

Nebraska med center letter from child

A fourth-grade student wrote a heartfelt note thanking the heroes at Nebraska Medicine for helping people and fighting "villain viruses."

jackson hospital dos and donts of cloth face masks logo

A virtual health library on the website of Jackson Hospital in Alabama offers COVID-19 updates and resources on coping.

maui health nurses at a press conference

A nurse at Maui Memorial Medical Center in Hawaii writes about the challenges — and triumphs — of working in a COVID-19 unit.

Couple gets married in the hospital after getting sick with COVID-19

A wedding ceremony at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio fulfills a couple's wish and helps speed the groom's recovery from COVID-19.

Utah nurse with face shield and mask on.

In a University of Utah Health podcast series, health care professionals talk candidly about their work caring for patients during the pandemic.

Person recovering at home from COVID-19 sitting on a coach

Saint Peter's University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey, created a specialized COVID-19 Recovery Program to treat patients who have recovered from COVID-19 but continue to experience long-term symptoms.

Two people putting up COVID-19 poster

ChristianaCare, based in Delaware, led webinars on COVID-19 safety for barbershops and salons in underserved communities, donated sanitation kits and shared educational materials.

Twyla wearing a face mask

Caregivers at INTEGRIS Health, based in Oklahoma City, are featured in a social media campaign about wearing face masks to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Mother and daughter picking oranges in a grocery store each with masks on

To address food insecurity in New Mexico, Albuquerque-based Presbyterian Healthcare Services is offering free meals for children at seven hospitals statewide.

Exterior of building - Saint Anthony

Saint Anthony Hospital in Chicago is continuing to provide free mental health services targeting minority and immigrant populations – and offering counseling services to staff too.

3 female medical personal talking together with masks on.

A team at M Health Fairview in Minnesota creates a rehabilitation playbook to provide individualized care to COVID-19 patients after their hospital discharge.

Medical person with face shield and mask on talking to patient

The COVID-to-Home program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center monitors and assesses COVID-19 patients from diagnosis to discharge and saves lives.

Dog Tags, one with an American Flag laying with a stethoscope on camouflage

A social worker with the U.S. Army Reserve bonds with a 96-year-old patient, a veteran of World War II now fighting COVID-19.

Person hand delivering food to the more vulnerable during COVID-19

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health collaborates with community partners to improve food access during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Person wearing mask with clear portion so hearing impaired can see the lips

A COVID-19 sewing taskforce is making masks that Sentara Healthcare providers are wearing to better communicate with all patients.

Female holding drawn sign with AAMOW on it infront of supplies for COVID-19

Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels, a program of Michigan Medicine, delivers nutritious, prepared meals and makes wellness calls during the pandemic.

three nurses standing together with full gear on

Community HealthCare System has been working with local and state partners to prepare for and manage COVID-19 cases.

Hackensack Meridian Health provide support, donating food and personal protective equipment

Hackensack Meridian Health is partnering with community organizations to help meet increasing needs for food and other essentials during the pandemic.

Person on a video call

COVID-19 bereavement is challenging. UnityPoint Health offers a new online bereavement support group to help families and friends cope during these difficult times.

White Plains Hospital volunteers stand with bags of food to be distributed

White Plains Hospital works with community partners to address food insecurity and other health and social needs of its neighbors.

2 hands comforting together

Rogers Behavioral Health offers free resources on compassion, compassion fatigue, wellness and resilience strategies and other topics.

older adult exercising on mat with cat walking under

Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, offers a Senior Shape exercise program via Zoom, so older adults keep moving and stay connected to others.

Blood drive

Columbia VA Health Care System partnered with the Central South Carolina American Red Cross to conduct blood drives, responding to the need to replenish critically low blood supplies.

Staff member sitting on stairs between bags of to distribute during the COVID-19 pandemic

Boston Children's Hospital supports several local health centers to ensure children are vaccinated and distribute food, clothing, books and more to families.

lifebridge health care worker in mask

LifeBridge Health's population health team provides outreach to help meet the health and social needs of vulnerable populations.

covid-19 info posters

Memorial Health System in Illinois provides education and resources across its communities as stay-at-home restrictions lift.

People holding a ceremonial check

University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center's partnership with the Southern Maryland Food Bank provides tens of thousands of meals to children and families experiencing financial hardships.

University Hospitals - meals website

COVID-19 patients and their families with limited means received gift cards for food and other essentials from UH Rainbow Center for Women & Children and local nonprofits.

Person packing a box into a cars trunk during COVID-19

Penn State Health and a local food bank and pantry are teaming up to distribute food boxes at a drive-through COVID-19 testing site and to deliver to people at home.

Two people packing food

Cedars-Sinai contributes millions of dollars to help meet the basic needs of people most affected by COVID-19.

Various activities for children

Franciscan Health worked with its community partners on educational kits to help thousands of families cope during the pandemic.

St. James Parish COVID-19 Live @Lunch poster

St. James Parish Hospital, local government and community partners accelerate coordinated communications efforts to slow the virus's spread in rural Louisiana.

Lenox Hill Hospital front-line workers cheering

Front-line staff in a New York City hospital meet for "hope huddles" to share positive patient outcomes and inspiring stories.

Fort Myers Police Department (FMPD) use there cars to create a large heart

The Fort Myers Police Department shows its appreciation to local health care workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

South Carolina Hospital Heroes truck with map route overlay

The South Carolina Hospital Association deployed a traveling billboard to thank front-line workers throughout the state.

Maine COVID Sitters_med students help HCWs children - collage of people

Medical students offer helping hands to health care workers and their children at their homes.

Grass sign, Heros at work #HMH

Harrison Memorial Hospital and its small-town community demonstrate the tenacity of the human spirit in the fight against COVID-19.

Two Medical Students

Medical students in Texas are answering community hotline calls and providing crucial help during the pandemic.

Celebrating patients 91 birthday during COVID-19

Front-line staff at St. Rose Dominican Hospital make sure a 91-year-old patient's birthday is special.

BJC Healthcare, Rise up for Heroes, both team mascots hold up signs

A "Rise Up For Heroes" CARE-avan celebrates front-line health care workers in St. Louis.

Kids Thank You note and drawing

At UofL Health, the "Power of U" means compassion and appreciation.

Sophia with mask on at Hartford Hospital

An ICU nurse films a poignant video about life on the front lines at Hartford HealthCare, which has declared May "Health Care Heroes Month."

Abilene ISD and Wylie ISD Robotics Programs create motorized hospital tray to save on PPE for Hendrick Hospital

High school students helped create robotic trays for use by health care workers at Hendrick Health System in Texas.

Summit Healthcare Dr. Bell

Summit Healthcare in Arizona taps social media to improve access to behavioral health care during this pandemic.

Intermountain Healthcare, Holding a sign - Stand with New York

Two Intermountain Healthcare teams traveled from Utah to New York to help overwhelmed health care workers—and gain valuable knowledge and experience.

Honk say thank you and show your support

Kettering Medical Center finds a creative way to thank health care workers with a honk and honor salute

Nurses together with masks on - COVID-19

Elliot Health System nurses know a clean and safe environment is vital to combatting COVID-19 and honor their environmental services team as health care heroes.

Patient using technology to interact with nurse during COVID-19 pandemic

ICU nurses at Cedars-Sinai rely on teamwork and technology as they provide compassionate care for patients.

Cheering in hall, COVID-19

At Baystate Health hospitals, the "Rocky" theme song plays as staff cheer for recovered COVID-19 patients leaving the hospital to return home.

Health Care Workers in PPE Wear Photos of Themselves Smiling

Though most patients are isolated during treatment for COVID-19, health care workers offer care and comfort in creative ways.

COVID-19 has been a devastating experience everywhere, but in small, rural hospitals and their communities, the impact is particularly intense.

At Coffey Health System, the board of trustees shows its appreciation to hospital staff.

Cody Regional Health in Wyoming created a wellness pod for hardworking staff.

Hospital and health system leaders are finding meaningful ways to honor staff and support resilience.

An anesthesiology resident in Portland, Ore., educates followers on social distancing and more in a unique way.

Two teddybears - adult embracing child, both with face masks on

How do parents on the front lines talk about COVID-19 challenges with their children? Here's how one Philadelphia area family is coping.

Henry Ford Health System Faith Community Nursing

FCN creates virtual community connections to share COVID-19 updates, resources and spiritual support.

Medial dog with medial personal on the floor

Wynn, a yellow Lab, makes life a little less stressful at a Denver hospital.

Three medical personal with face masks on

Tanner Health System is using social media to encourage and inspire health care workers. Cookies help too.

A Montana doctor designed a surgical mask for 3D printing.

Father and daughter hugging with mother sitting on couch

For health care workers with children, returning home from a shift means taking extra precautions before sharing hugs and kisses.

A 9-year-old reporter interviews two physicians at Children's Hospital Colorado about novel coronavirus.

Grateful for our team sign infront to Carle Foundation

Sometimes the smallest gestures can have the biggest impact.

Two Mayo Clinic surgery residents share their rendition of "Imagine" during the COVID-19 crisis.

MetroHealth and the Greater Cleveland Food Bank are partnering to make home deliveries of fresh produce to community members in need during the pandemic.

Nurse with mask on holding and IV drip

At Providence St. Joseph Health in Washington state, staff and volunteers are making face shields and surgical masks to protect health care workers caring for COVID-19 patients.

Person in jacket trying to keep hands warm

Kaiser Permanente is committing $1 million to support the coronavirus response for the homeless population.

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