Healthcare has a personal and powerful role in the lives of every member of our community.

A hospital is defined in the dictionary as an institution in which sick or injured persons are given medical or surgical treatment.

As a hospital employee, I see it as so much more. Hospitals are the foundations of the communities that built them and nurture them, and hospitals serve people in every community from all walks of life.

A hospital is more than a place where people go to heal. It is a part of the community that fosters health and represents hope. From providing treatment and comfort to the sick, to welcoming new life into the world, hospitals are central to a healthy and optimistic community.

Natchez Regional is no different, having been a vital part of our community for over 54 years. This week is recognized as National Hospital Week.

The first National Hospital Day was celebrated on Florence Nightingale’s birthday, on May 12, 1921.

National Hospital Day was originally conceived by a Chicago magazine editor as a public healthcare event that encouraged trust in the city’s hospitals in the wake of the “Spanish flu” outbreak of 1918, which killed more than 600,000 Americans. The event expanded to an entire week in 1953. Today, every state celebrates National Hospital Week.

A hospital is also just a building until you fill it with people. Then it transforms into an extraordinary place of compassion, innovation and dedication.

It is the employees, physicians and volunteers of Natchez Regional, who bring their diverse skills to the task of caring and healing, that the administration and board of trustees salute during their week of special recognition.

I wanted to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the hundreds of hospital employees in our area.

To my co-workers and all hospital employees, I say thank you for playing a part in the miracles you witness every day. You are all an important part of the family of care, using your talents, your knowledge, experience and skills to help people in need.

Your work and the work of those around you are sources of pride that extend to every corner of our community.

The volunteers of Natchez Regional Medical Center have graciously agreed to sponsor some wonderful events for our employees in honor of their special week.

If you have the opportunity, please say a special thank you to a healthcare professional you may see this week.

To the family members of healthcare professionals, we commend you as well, for the sacrifices you make and for the love and support you show your loved ones in healthcare. This enables them to come to work and be there for our patients.

 

Donny Rentfro is the chief executive officer of Natchez Regional Medical Center.