Now on view through May 31, 2020

      SO. NEW HAMPSHIRE – In an unprecedented act of collaboration and coordination, four hospitals in southern New Hampshire have banded together to support their front line responders, coordinate efforts of care, share resources, and tell the story of sacrifices front line responders are making to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic. 

      Often seen as corporate competitors in the healthcare field, the four hospitals, located in Nashua and Manchester— Southern New Hampshire Medical Center and Elliot Health System (members of SolutionHealth); Catholic Medical Center; and St. Joseph Hospital (a member of Covenant Health)—are expecting a significant increase in the numbers of COVID-19 patients in the coming weeks as they work tirelessly to transform their operations in preparation amidst a nationwide shortage of personnel, supplies, and equipment needed to save lives. 

      The hospitals, in a coordinated effort, are preparing for the surge of patients that may extend well into the many weeks ahead. Floors, units, and cafeterias of their facilities have been reengineered for the continuing influx, creating more than 10,000 square feet of additional care space, as well as tent facilities, making up 450 new beds.

“These four hospitals have been here serving our region for more than a century,” said Sherry Hausmann, President and CEO, SolutionHealth. “We have brought together every resource we have to help us save lives. We hope we don’t need them.”

      As the team moves forward, they have launched Front Lines New Hampshire (www. FronlinesNH.org), a dedicated site that edifies the heroic efforts of physicians, nurses, and other providers who meet the extraordinary challenges associated with this worldwide pandemic. Front line responders remain at personal risk during this time, exposing themselves, and by extension their families, to this deadly virus in service to their patients and communities.  

      Conscious of the sacrifice and personal commitment of providers and staff on the hospitals’ front lines, hundreds of members of the greater Nashua and Manchester communities have kindly and generously stepped up to support this work. In addition to donations, large and small, of surgical and N95 masks, gloves, protective eye gear, disinfecting wipes, and thousands of hand-made fabric masks, residents and businesses alike have donated care packages, meals, and other gifts, often accompanied by notes of appreciation and inspiration for staff—all within the confines of social distancing and stay-at-home guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  

      “We have never before worked so effortlessly as a team of hospitals to meet the needs of the greater good,” said Joseph Pepe, MD, President and CEO, Catholic Medical Center. “We will find the good that has come from this, and we will do so by working together to defeat this enemy.”

John Jurczyk, FACHE, Covenant Senior Vice President and St. Joseph President adds, “When we look back on this time, we will see an amazing feat. A time when every leader in healthcare threw out the bureaucracy and embraced medicine and healing.” 

      To see highlights of the caregivers and the preparations these four organizations have made to fight this virus, or to make a contribution, visit the site.