Art Mathisen: Proud of COVID response

A quote in a recent Conway Daily Sun article questioned Memorial Hospital’s ability to “deal with COVID-19,” suggesting that our tools and staffing are not up to the challenge. Let me be clear: Not only is Memorial up to the challenge, our response to the pandemic has been recognized by many for being extraordinary, not just for a small rural hospital, but for any hospital.

I want to state firmly and clearly that I am proud of what Team Memorial has done throughout the pandemic. There are many challenges for a rural hospital in the middle of a global pandemic. No one here — indeed, in any health-care facility in the world — has ever been through a pandemic of this scale. Yet, by relying on our existing crisis plans and practices; working with county, state and federal health agencies; and by working with our community here in the Mount Washington Valley, we have avoided the horrific scenes that have played out in other rural communities across the nation. That is not an accident.