WSM Special Print Edition 2021 | Page 34

WS MAGAZINE
ADVANCED HEALTH CARE On March 13 , 2020 , nursing homes across the country began closing their doors to visitors , including AHC nursing facilities . Stories from Washington , New York , and Pennsylvania led the headlines about the number of patients contracting the coronavirus . The virus spread rapidly to the entire country , leaving everyone in a state of uncertainty . Hospitals quickly became overcrowded and staff members became ill . Proper protection supplies , such as masks , gloves , and gowns , were nearly unobtainable . AHC employees became involved in procuring these difficult-to-find commodities , even getting volunteers to sew reusable cloth gowns when they were out of other options .
One of the challenges for the AHC team during this time was that most of their patients were not able to receive visits from their loved ones for a long period of time . They could visit through the window at first , and then it gradually moved to outdoor visits in the fall of 2020 . COVID-19 testing for patients and staff was only available through outside lab companies for over six months into the pandemic . They finally received testing supplies to be able to test patients and staff themselves in October 2020 .
And yet , the team persevered . They had to work with constantly changing restrictions , and , in addition to their regular jobs , they had to fill the gap for the loved ones who were unable to be present due to strict COVID guidelines . Staff were required to change how they delivered care for patients , taking extra careful sanitation measures ( including wearing gloves , masks ,
32 and gowns ) to help prevent spread to these vulnerable adults . Daily health check-ins became the norm .
Not all LHM employees were at the forefront of the pandemic like our people at AHC , and we are proud of the incredible passion and empathy they showed during this time . The AHC team truly rose to the occasion and performed at their best during the crisis , making a difference and earning the nickname “ Healthcare Heroes .”
THE SALT LAKE BEES The Salt Lake Bees were disappointed but not surprised when the season was canceled in early 2020 . Still , like all other elements of the LHM Group of Companies , they took it in stride and did their best to keep their organization functioning while preparing to come roaring back when things got better .
The worst part of the process was the uncertainty . It seemed like guidelines and regulations for attendance and players was changing every week . When it looked like the
team would be able to play with a new season in April 2021 , they received the news that the start had been delayed for a month to May 6 .
When May rolled around , the season did start and fans enthusiastically returned for a summer of classic baseball .
As Bees president Marc Amicone put it , “ None of these things were within our control , but we could control how we responded . ‘ Control the controllables ’ has been a mantra at the ballpark as habits , rules , and the way things have always been done have been dramatically altered . We can ’ t control everything , but we can always control how we react to what comes next . Much like a batter facing down a great pitcher , life is all about making adjustments . You never know what will be thrown at you ; all you can do is prepare and be ready to take your swing .”