A Message to All Staff from the President and CEO
Since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global pandemic our world has changed dramatically. These are unprecedented times and we are being inundated with information. I hope that this update will provide you with useful information about what has been happening at Bethany.
As the COVID-19 pandemic began to sweep the world, Bethany mobilized its pandemic response plan under the leadership of our Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Nancy Hughes. I want to express my gratitude to Nancy and all the members of the pandemic response team. As we move forward, this team will continue to drive the operational decisions we make to protect our residents, tenants…and you.
I know this is a difficult time, unlike anything any of us have ever experienced. As an essential healthcare organization on the frontlines of a public health emergency, I know that it must be hard to come to work every day with so much uncertainty around us. I’m aware that many of you have things happening in your own lives outside of Bethany that may have turned your world upside down, with school closures, job losses or other significant impacts on your family life.
As many of you know, I have been on self-isolation due to out of country travel and I will be returning to the office on Friday morning. During this time I have been working from home (thanks to our amazing IT team who have ensured that I have the technology supports I needed). It has been very difficult for me to remain at home while so many of you have been working long hours to ensure the safety of the people of Bethany. For those of you on self-isolation, I fully understand the strain of being at home, away from family and friends. As humans we crave interaction with others and when this is taken away it can be very hard emotionally and physically. While I have used technology to remain connected and have made sure to get outside every day for a walk, it has not been easy.
Perhaps the most difficult experience was missing the birth of my first grandchild who entered the world yesterday. Not being able to be there to meet him has by far been the most difficult point in my self-isolation. However, it is my responsibility to my family, the general public and Bethany to remain on self-isolation as instructed by the Chief Medical Officer of Health for the greater good.
Under Nancy and the operational team’s leadership, we are committed not only to your safety as you come to your vitally important jobs every day, but also to supporting your emotional wellbeing in these trying times. You are receiving a COVID-19 News Bulletin every day to inform what is happening withthe pandemic response at the national, provincial and operational levels. But I also want to hear from you about how you are doing, so that we can find the best ways to support you in the weeks ahead.
I have established an email address, askjennifer@bethanyseniors.com that will be dedicated for all employees who want to share their challenges or experiences during this time. My commitment to each of you is I will check this account daily and respond as quickly as possible.
I will be sending out a weekly video update to share what I am hearing from you and to ensure you have all the facts and supports you need as work safely to protect and care for our residents, tenants and each other in the days and weeks ahead.
The first video will be this Friday where I will be addressing the organization to provide an update to all staff related to the pandemic.
I’m so very proud of each and every one of you. We will get through this together. Thank you for all that you are doing.
Jennifer McCue, President and Chief Executive Officer
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