Dear Suburban Colleagues,
2020 was the International Year of the Nurse and I can’t think of a better theme to honor each and every one of our incredibly talented and caring nurses for their tireless work and care for our patients.
As a high-reliable organization, Suburban Hospital takes pride in planning and working toward long-term goals to keep our patients, their families and our staff safe. It is deeply gratifying to know we can also move nimbly and creatively when world events require.
This year, two of our long-term goals become reality. Suburban Hospital nurses were recognized as among the best in the nation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) during a ceremony at the 2019 National Magnet Conference in Orlando, Florida.
And we nearly doubled our hospital’s size when we opened our North Building after years of planning. Our nurses were deeply involved in all major decisions about equipment and workflow in the 300,000-square-foot building. With their help, we have created spaces that are user-friendly for clinicians, patients and families. It was so exciting to see our vision become a reality.
All this would be momentous enough. Then came COVID-19.
The first patients with COVID-19 came to Suburban Hospital for treatment in mid-March, only days after we moved into our new North Building.
We couldn’t be prouder of the way our nurses stepped up to the unique challenges posed by this global coronavirus pandemic. You quickly accepted new assignments that took you out of your comfort zones. You learned how to operate testing centers, and how to don and doff personal protective equipment.
You conveyed warmth and caring to patients, even when your smile was hidden by a mask.
As the pandemic grinds on, our many wonderful support teams continue to provide tremendous support, making sure we all have the supplies and protections we need. Healthcare is truly a team sport, and this has been especially apparent throughout the pandemic.
We hope you enjoy the stories in this year’s annual report. They reflect a year of stunning accomplishments in the face of unplanned and unprecedented challenges.
No matter what unfolds, we are all stronger and more resilient than ever before. Together, we are truly Suburban Strong.
LeighAnn Sidone, D.N.P., R.N., C.E.N.P.
Interim President, Vice President of Nursing/Chief Nursing Officer
Suburban Hospital
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