Reflections on COVID-19 One Year Later – A special message from Douglas A. Struyk, CPA, LNHA, President and CEO of CHCC

This is a solemn period, as we mark a full year since the COVID-19 pandemic began to show itself in the midst of our professional and personal lives. Last March, we were all momentarily stunned when COVID infiltrated our communities and we began to see signs of it at Christian Health. None of us had ever experienced a public health crisis on this level. Overnight the world and our lives changed drastically.

New Jersey – and the world – shut down. But the CHCC team did not, could not stop. We acknowledged our responsibility to promote and ensure the health and well-being of our residents and patients, and we would not falter because of the pandemic. We refused to let fear paralyze us but, instead, drew on our commitment to service, prioritizing the needs of those entrusted to our care, and embraced the camaraderie of those with whom we are blessed to work alongside.

We recommitted ourselves to strong infection control and prevention strategies and maximized all of the resources at our disposal to do so. We maintained daily communication with other providers through our Associations, with the NJ Department of Health and other state and national agencies and officials, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and with other experts for assistance with guiding, establishing, and heightening best practices.

Through the unique heritage of CHCC, our mission and vision, we inventoried our assets – tangible and intangible – and worked around obstacles and the unexpected, to rise above and draw on the essence of leadership, and look to not just survive but to thrive.

We are grateful for the opportunities that we have to deliver health, healing and wellness and enable so many to triumph over this terrible virus.

We honor the memory of those we have lost during this past year – residents, patients, colleagues, family members and friends.

We are thankful for vaccines that are providing important protection against future illness.

We reflect on the lessons we have learned and the heroism displayed unselfishly.

We yearn for and value priceless, quiet moments when we seek and find the energy and guidance to calm and sustain our own souls.

We are prayerful and prepared for what continues around us and lies before us.

Our devotion to those we serve and those we work alongside has carried us. Thank you to our dedicated team members for being the hands of Christ during this last, most difficult year. We are also grateful for our many community supporters who have enabled us to carry out our mission of service. Thank you for your support and trust!

“You whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth.

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you.

I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isaiah 46: 3, 4