Anthony Williams was recently a patient at Piedmont Henry Hospital as he recovered from a collapsed lung. He had also been a patient briefly the year before and he noted that the experiences were very different, mainly because of COVID-19. 

  “I was so impressed with my care that I wanted to find a way to support these courageous men and women and help them get whatever they need,” Williams said. “I think everyone in the community needs to do what they can to support the people battling this virus on the frontlines.”

  The best way to support the staff at Piedmont Henry is to donate to the Piedmont Healthcare Foundation’s Staff Support Fund. The Staff Support Fund at Piedmont Henry has been established through community contributions to provide funding for initiatives that raise employee morale, aid staff in their self-care, or help employees as they care for their loved ones at home. 

If you are interested in donating to the Staff Support Fund, reach out to Andrea Mendez, a director with the Piedmont Healthcare Foundation, at andrea.mendez@piedmont.org, 404-947-0318.

  Williams, a veteran, admired the courage of the staff that jumped into care for the COVID-19 patients and spent the duration of his stay talking with nurses and staff members about their experiences in these extraordinary times. What he found was a staff dedicated to providing care to the community, but also concerned about keeping themselves and their families safe. He asked about the personal protective equipment that the staff wore and heard about the process of cleaning certain pieces for re-use. He marveled at the bravery of nurses who were holding off of retirement or returning from maternity leave to ensure that their colleagues were supported and their patients were cared for.

  “From when I went to urgent care through when I was admitted, I saw a great deal of concern over protecting patients and staff members from COVID-19,” said Williams. “I was having trouble breathing, but did not hesitate to wear a mask when I was in the emergency room and I saw staff caring for a man who had tested positive for the disease.”

  For more information about Piedmont Henry, visit piedmont.org/henry.