GALLOWAY – The William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University will salute the efforts of frontline workers at four south New Jersey hospitals on the coronavirus pandemic with a special Hughes Center Honors award.
The Hughes Center Honors recognizes and celebrates individual New Jersey leaders who make important commitments to public service. For the first time, the Honors program will include awards to local institutions when the Excellence in Community Leadership Award is presented to four hospitals at the awards program at the Stockton Campus Center Event Room Nov. 10:
- AtlantiCare
- Shore Medical Center
- Cape Regional Health System
- Inspira Health Network.
Battling COVID-19 is the primary challenge of our time, and the region’s hospital workers risked their own health to protect the rest of us said Edward H. Salmon, Hughes Center advisory board chair.
“The Hughes Center and Stockton University are proud of the vital work done by these amazing hospital staffs. We are pleased to recognize their courage and service with this new Hughes Center Honors leadership award,” Salmon said.
The Hughes Center Honors are given out biannually at an awards program and reception attended by hundreds of New Jersey business and political leaders. The event raises funding for Hughes Center programs that advance the civic engagement championed by the late Ambassador William J. Hughes. A full list of 2021 honorees will be announced shortly, with ticket sales beginning within a month.
“The AtlantiCare team is humbled to be recognized along with our colleagues in caring for our patients and all those we serve,” said Lori Herndon, AtlantiCare president and CEO. “We are grateful for our dedicated staff and providers for their commitment to caring for our community.”
“Our courageous doctors, nurses and support staff provided exceptional care to our community during this incredibly challenging and uncertain time,” said Ron Johnson, President and CEO of Shore Medical Center. Johnson thanked the hundreds of community members who donated supplies, meals, technology and time.
Amy B. Mansue, President and CEO of Inspira Health, said the pandemic challenged health care professionals in unusual and heartbreaking ways.
“Within our walls, it tested resilience and strength; it spurred innovation and camaraderie; but it was also the year of painful loss,” Mansue said. “To lose these people is a reminder of the fragility of life, and a reminder to take care of one another. But it’s also a reminder to celebrate the lives saved, and those who made it happen: the front-line health care workers, the first responders and other essential workers who have worked tirelessly day-in and day-out.”
Examples of how southern New Jersey hospitals stepped up to treat and vaccinate the region’s residents abound. Inspira’s pharmacy team made hundreds of gallons of hand sanitizer. After vaccinating tens of thousands at its Mullica Hill and Vineland clinics, Inspira’s teams went to schools, businesses, churches, and other community locations, including a McDonald’s in Glassboro.
AtlantiCare has cared for more than 2,700 hospitalized patients with COVID-19, and thousands more COVID-positive patients. The health system collaborated with the casino industry to safely reopen Atlantic City gaming halls and with state government, Atlantic County and the N.J. Air National Guard to plan for opening the Atlantic County COVID-19 vaccination mega-site. Among its many outreach efforts, AtlantiCare provided services to vulnerable minority populations.
Shore Medical treated more than 1,000 COVID-positive patients at its hospital and tested more than 37,000 people for COVID.
“On a daily basis, Cape Regional Health System’s team connects with patients at their most vulnerable moments. Attending to the health needs of their patients while preserving the patient’s human dignity and hope is no easy task,” said Garry Gilbert, Cape Regional Health System Board of Trustees Chairman.
“Every day our team makes the choice to step onto the front lines, choosing selflessness over self,” he said. “They have absolutely provided the highest level of care for our patients.”