Earlier this month, I received a phone call from U.S. Air Force Brigadier General James Cunningham (Ret.) with some surprising news.
He wanted to set up a time to meet with me because the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) State Committee had chosen St. Charles Health System to receive the Pro Patria Award. It’s the highest level of award bestowed by an ESGR State Committee.
I felt both appreciative and humbled.
We at St. Charles have been so grateful for the services provided to us by the Oregon National Guard through our mass vaccination clinic and two COVID-19 surges. The men and women of the Guard left their friends, families, jobs and communities to be here for us. As I shared with Gen. Cunningham when we met in person, I don’t know if we would have made it through the Delta and Omicron surges without the Guard’s support.
He assured me that we would have made it – but it would have been messy. He also shared the story of taking his elderly parents to the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center in Redmond a year ago for their COVID-19 vaccinations. The first time they visited, it took about two hours to complete the process. When they returned three weeks later for their second dose, it was after the Oregon National Guard had arrived to provide support. The difference was noticeable.
“It took seven minutes,” Cunningham said.
His pride in the Guard is palpable and his reasons for nominating St. Charles for this award are heartfelt and sincere. The health system has openly welcomed the Guard and has provided a place of learning and growth. We have heard from many of the men and women who have spent time with us in recent months that they are now seriously considering careers in health care because of their experiences helping others here in Central Oregon.
Knowing that those who have been called to help in a time of crisis now see the value of health care as a career is truly a gift of the pandemic.
Thank you to Gen. Cunningham for visiting St. Charles Bend and meeting with me.
Thank you to the ESGR for the Pro Patria Award – an incredible recognition.
And thank you once again to the hundreds of Guard members who helped us in recent months. As we faced unprecedented challenges, your tireless effort and willingness to tackle any task was invaluable.
It has been our honor to work alongside you.
Sincerely,
Joe
