Dear Mather family,

As we gradually decline from the spike of COVID-19 cases in April, we are preparing for an uncertain future. As our communities began to slowly reopen, we watch with a careful eye for signs of new infections.

Please know that Northwell Health and Mather Hospital have taken steps to be prepared should this happen. We are ensuring inventories of needed supplies and equipment, reviewing processes to best protect your health and that of our patients and communities. You will hear more about this at our June Employee Forums, which will be virtual.

With COVID patient volume decreasing, it very important that we take care of ourselves—whether that’s to reach out to  support services available for managing stress and anxiety or taking some time off to relax. Whether you’ve been dedicated to the frontline or working remotely at home these past two months, it’s important that we take this time to rejuvenate.

As healthcare workers we have a natural affinity to help others. It’s what feeds our souls. If you find that you have a need to do something more to help others during the pandemic, here are some opportunities I encourage you to consider supporting.

Donate to a local food pantry or food bank. With record levels of unemployment, people who have never had to ask for help before are finding themselves on lines for food donations. We will be hosting our own employee food drive site June 2-5. Look for the Mather Hospital van outside the main entry or the ASU at designated times. Donations of packaged food, cleaning supplies and paper goods will benefit local food pantries in Port Jefferson Station and Coram.

Prefer to donate from afar, then consider an online donation to one of the food banks through Northwell Health’s virtual food drive. Through this site you can sponsor actual food items, cans of tuna, bags of rice, etc., that will be donated to the food bank you choose on Long Island, in New York City or in Westchester.

Donate blood, platelets or plasma. There is an urgent call out for healthy donors as the pandemic has shut down many community-based blood drives including the one that was scheduled at Mather in July. You can make an appointment at the NY Blood Services location at 1010 Rte. 112 in Port Jeff Station or any location convenient for you. NY Blood Center are following CDC guidelines and taking precautions to keep donors safe. In light of COVID, please review the eligibility requirements before making your appointment.

Until science develops a vaccine, the battle against COVID-19 will continue. So, it is important that we help to strengthen ourselves and our communities. These are challenging times, but together we can conquer COVID-19.

#Togetherwecan

Be well,

Kenneth Roberts
President

What we have done to date with your help… 

On Monday March 16, we activated the virtual HICS Center. We are currently at surge level 1. Since that time we have accomplished so much as a hospital which includes some of the following.

Converting for COVID

Critical Care Capacity: At the height of the pandemic, we increased our critical care capability from 20 beds to over 42. Current COVID+ intubated patients = 2 as of 6/1/2020

Discharged COVID+ patients and ED treat and release patients recovering at home: 493 as of 6/1/2020