The low cases of COVID and illness of the students and staff at BR is something to be commended. Our students and staff at all levels seem to be doing remarkable job of masking and distancing at school, athletics, and when out in the community. We want to encourage you to continue to be careful over the holiday weekend. Remember to wear masks if you are indoors with others outside your home and maintain distance as much as possible, particularly when unmasked during group dinners. The current recommendation is that everyone >2 years of age should be masked indoors when with members outside their household. This includes restaurants and stores. We can't stress enough the importance of this simple, harmless, inexpensive measure in minimizing the risk of spread of COVID

We also strongly recommend vaccination to anyone eligible to receive it, now including our children. The vaccine is proven to be incredibly safe and very effective at preventing severe disease. The vast majority of patients hospitalized across west Michigan are unvaccinated.  If you or your student haven't been vaccinated, please consider scheduling a time to have this done. The vast majority of patients admitted to hospitals are unvaccinated. The vaccine is very safe and much safer than getting COVID. Although most young people do well if infected with COVID, we cannot predict which ones won't. We have seen a large number of children hospitalized recently and many of these requiring ICU care. Let's help protect ourselves and each other by getting vaccinated and wearing masks. To schedule a vaccine visit: Vaccinate West Michigan | COVID-19 Vaccine Information for West Michigan

Included at the end is the statement published by the Holland Hospital Board of Directors published on 11/17/2021.

Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

Sincerely,

Joe Vandermeer MD
Kate Davis MD
Corie Eklov MD
Tyler Murphy MD
Kelly Huggett MD
Tom Huggett MD
Jonathan Reither MD
Jeanne Poel MD

Dear Holland Community,

Holland Hospital is honored to have ensured the health of our community for over a century. Every day, we meet people where they are; joining them on a journey to health, on a path from illness to recovery, and holding hands in comfort when the circle of life closes.  We know this same spirit of caring for others is what defines our community.

The pandemic has absorbed much of our energy, time and resources over the last 19 months. People ask us, “How are things going at Holland Hospital?” The answer is we are feeling that strain now more than ever.

Our community is experiencing a period of increased serious illness taking a toll on Holland Hospital’s team and resources, and the challenges we face impact the entire community.

• Hospitals are at capacity with the surge in COVID patients in addition to many other seriously ill patients.
• The number of very sick people coming through our doors, as a result of COVID and other serious conditions, is climbing. As a result, ER wait times here and across Michigan are spiraling.
• People have delayed care and are now seeking treatment when their illness has progressed to an advanced stage.
• Like hospitals nationwide, Holland Hospital is struggling to hire staff in all departments at a time when demand for services is at an all-time high.
• More than ever, our staff are being exposed to incivility and violence from some of the same patients and visitors we work hard to serve.
• Mental health and peoples’ ability to cope are being stretched to the limit.

Just as we are here when you need us, we ask you to help us now.

• Talk with your doctor to learn how to prevent COVID exposure and other illnesses. Consider getting vaccinated.
• Pay attention to your body. If something isn’t right, call your doctor’s office.
• Seeing your doctor at the first sign of symptoms or concerns can avoid emergency room visits and keep needed beds open.

Our region was built on a legacy of our strength and determination. Supporting one another in crisis is what we do. Please do what you can to help. 

To our extraordinary providers and all our staff, we thank you for your dedication to our community. By choosing health care as your profession, you have dedicated your talent and compassion to make a difference in the lives of others.  We are so glad you are part of the Holland Hospital team!

Respectfully,

Holland Hospital Board of Directors