Catholic Medical Center (CMC) is crossing the one-year mark of the COVID-19 pandemic with an entire week devoted to honoring its dedicated workforce. Hope Week 2021: celebrating resilience during COVID-19 will be held from March 15–21.
“On March 14th of last year, we suspended our visitor policy, cancelled classes and closed our Wellness Center. Two days later, we curtailed elective procedures,” recalls CMC CEO Joseph Pepe, MD. “The year since has continued to present many challenges and changes, but it has also been full of inspiration and hope. I will always be in awe of the men and women of CMC and their unwavering dedication to our patients.”
Hope Week begins with the installation of more than 700 mirrored butterflies on the hospital sky bridge, representing the COVID-19 patients cared for by CMC in the last year—both the hundreds who have recovered and the 87 who were lost. Globally, butterflies are seen as a symbol of endurance, hope and life. In the Christian tradition, they are also symbolic of resurrection.
Bishop Peter Libasci of the Diocese of Manchester will visit CMC to offer a blessing to staff and patients. Each day will also feature multiple drawings for gifts donated by CMC management and area companies as a way of saying thank you. Participating donors include Millennium Running, Luxe Salon and Spa, the Omni Mount Washington Resort, and the Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa. A donor recognition wall will thank the hundreds of individuals and organizations that have supported CMC through the last year.
“We are so humbled and grateful for the support of our community,” says CMC VP of Philanthropy Jennifer Higgins Pitre. “When we called you answered, serving thousands of meals, drinks and snacks, donating money for PPE and other mission-critical supplies, and always making us feel remembered and loved.”
Finally, the public is invited to visit CMC’s social media pages to send their own message of appreciation and
download a custom Hope Week profile frame. CMC is on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
“The fight against COVID-19 isn’t over yet,” says CMC VP/Chief Nursing Officer Jennifer Cassin, MS, RN, CNS, CENP, “but I hope our staff, especially our frontline caregivers, are able to make time in the coming days to appreciate what a remarkable job they have done in the last year. I am so proud of this team and I have never been more proud of the nursing profession.”