FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Michelle Aliprantis, MBA
Regional Director of Marketing and Communications
MAliprantis@primehealthcare.com
The Gene & Marlene Epstein Humanitarian Foundation Hosts COVID-19 Commemoration Event for Lower Bucks Hospital’s Healthcare Heroes
Bristol, PA (March 24, 2022)– Lower Bucks Hospital commemorated the two-year anniversary of its first confirmed coronavirus case with a ceremony honoring healthcare workers who have spent the past two years fighting on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ceremony held in the lobby of the Dee Brown auditorium acknowledged the heroism and resilience of frontline workers. The event was an opportunity for co-workers to gather with community leaders, begin healing collectively, and enjoy a meal donated by the Gene & Marlene Epstein Humanitarian Foundation.
“It is certainly hard to believe that two years have passed since our world was upended,” said Lea Rodriguez, a chief nursing officer of Lower Bucks Hospital. “We are incredibly grateful to our healthcare heroes for the tremendous courage and resiliency they have shown time and time again to our patients, our community, and above all, to each other.”
Since the start of the pandemic, 43,845 Bucks County residents have died as a result of the COVID-19 virus, according to the county’s Department of Health website.
Rodriguez also expressed gratitude for community support and donations throughout the pandemic.
“We know our healthcare heroes are tired, but they continue to put others first and care for the sickest patients in our hospitals,” Rodriguez said. “Having local support from the Gene & Marlene Epstein Humanitarian Foundation is an emotional boost to our employees who have sacrificed and worked tirelessly for all of us.”
The day began with Lower Bucks Hospital CEO Michael Motte welcoming all in attendance.
“Today, we take the opportunity to publicly honor the Lower Bucks Hospital healthcare heroes that we continually hold dear in our hearts,” said Motte.
During the event, beautifully displayed signs of gratitude were donated by the Foundation.
The ceremony featured the Harry S. Truman High School band led by Keith Krelove, the school’s director of Instrumental Music. The band played inspirational and uplifting tunes, while healthcare workers and community members listened. The Washington Crossing Fifes and Drums lead the crowed inside, and remarks were made by Bucks County Philanthropist Gene Epstein, along with Jim Sell, Campus Dean of Bucks County Community College; Michael Motte, chief executive officer, Lower Bucks Hospital; and Lea Rodriguez, a chief nursing officer of Lower Bucks Hospital.
During the event, Jim Sell, campus dean of Bucks County Community College, presented the healthcare workers with thank you cards, and posters made by the students. After the presentations, the employees and guests were offered meals donated by the Foundation.
“I applaud our community leaders here today for acknowledging the healthcare heroes of Lower Bucks Hospital who were affected by COVID-19. Every day, these employees are putting their best foot forward, and today’s event is a reminder of our gratitude to them,” Sell said.
###
About Lower Bucks Hospital:
Lower Bucks Hospital is a community hospital, serving the Lower Bucks County region with medical, surgical, and emergency care. Located in historic Bristol, Pennsylvania, the Hospital is well-known for its knowledgeable medical staff, including cardiology, orthopedics, radiology, wound care, and general surgery. The hospital has more than 200 physicians on staff, as well as another 700 employees. As part of Prime Healthcare Services, headquartered in Ontario, California, Lower Bucks Hospital is focused on becoming one of the leaders in technology. Prime Healthcare is an award-winning hospital management company operating 45 acute care hospitals in 14 states, including Roxborough Memorial Hospital in Philadelphia, Lower Bucks Hospital in Bristol, and Suburban Community Hospital in Montgomery County.
About Prime Healthcare and Prime Healthcare Foundation:
Prime Healthcare is an award-winning health system operating 45 hospitals and more than 300 outpatient locations in 14 states, providing over 2.6 million patient visits annually. It is one of the nation’s leading health systems with nearly 50,000 employees and physicians dedicated to providing the highest quality healthcare. Prime Healthcare was founded by Dr. Prem Reddy, a physician with a mission to save hospitals, improve community healthcare and provide the very best care to patients. Fourteen of the Prime Healthcare hospitals are members of the Prime Healthcare Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity. Based in Ontario, California, Prime Healthcare is nationally recognized for award-winning quality care and has been named a Top 10 and Top 15 Health System by IBM Watson Health. Its hospitals have been named among the nation’s “100 Top Hospitals” 58 times and have received more Patient Safety Excellence Awards from Healthgrades than any other health system in the past six years. To learn more, please visit www.primehealthcare.com