The upside of a difficult year
2020 was a year unlike any other. It didn't go as anyone planned, but I'm immensely proud of Columbia Memorial Hospital's work and progress, despite the threat of a global pandemic.
As an independent, locally governed, not-for-profit hospital, we were able to respond to the pandemic early and quickly. We made some difficult, but fortunately temporary decisions that allowed us to keep our doors open now and into the future.
Other rural hospitals have not been as fortunate. The news was littered with reports of hospitals closing or filing for bankruptcy last year.
It was a testament to our caregivers' resourcefulness that we were visited by federal and state officials. In November, we hosted former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Eric Hargan and Oregon Health Authority Director Pat Allen.
They spent time touring the hospital and talking to caregivers about the changes brought on by the pandemic.
Although 2020 was difficult and tragic, I believe that our local health care community is stronger and more resilient because of the challenges we've faced. And for this, we can be glad.