As we prepare to gather for this Thanksgiving holiday, I find myself reflecting on my almost 30 years as part of the Reading Hospital and Berks County community.
I am truly thankful for Reading Hospital and the hundreds of interactions I have shared with our employees, patients, and their family members. We have experienced so much together – smiles, laughter, tears, and joy – all precious human moments that define why we do what we do.
People come to Reading Hospital for many reasons: to bring new life into the world, visit a sick family member, seek lifesaving treatments, or share their unique gifts and talents with others. I am grateful to the patients and families who put their trust in us during the most challenging or exciting time in their lives. We promise that we will continue to be here for our community in good times, bad times, and all those in between.
The late Mr. David Thun, a strong supporter of Reading Hospital, said it best when he noted Reading Hospital “to be a model resource and refuge for the citizens and visitors of Berks County.”
Reading Hospital is a compassionate community built on the shared purpose of helping others. It is a collaborative effort that takes the collective talents and perspectives of so many people – more than 7,000 to be exact – to deliver the level of care our community deserves. This Thanksgiving, I want to express the immense gratitude I hold for our talented physicians, nurses, staff, and support personnel who offer not just their expertise but their hearts.
Each person at Reading Hospital plays an integral part in our work, and while their work is not easy, it is always worthwhile and invaluable. This year – like every year – has brought its own set of challenges but our team has remained resilient and continued to provide outstanding care to our community. Becker’s Hospital Review named Reading Hospital to its “Great Hospitals in America” list for its clinical work, commitment to patient safety, innovative advancements, in-depth research, educational excellence, and high levels of patient satisfaction.
Furthermore, an eight-month process involving many helping hands and virtually every department resulted in Reading Hospital being certified as an advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC) by The Joint Commission this year. This certification not only recognizes our hospital as the only CSC in the region equipped to treat the most complex stroke cases but also acknowledges how our staff members work together to help address and meet the needs of all who seek care at our facilities.
Reading Hospital is always ready to lend a helping hand or a listening ear. This year, we received the Spirit of Reading Award from The Salvation Army recognizing our efforts in distributing 500 Thanksgiving turkeys to Berks County residents in 2023. Team members from our Nutrition Services Department, led by Rachel Wehn, and Michelle Trupp, MSN, RN, CEN, Chief Operating Officer for Reading Hospital, collaborated to donate 10-to-16 pound turkeys to The Salvation Army as a way to give back during the holiday season. We are grateful that we will be able to take part in this meaningful event again this year.
As one of the finest healthcare centers in the nation complete with some of the most compassionate and dedicated employees, Reading Hospital is truly a local treasure. I am thankful for the team’s unwavering commitment to the health and wellness of the community we all call home.
This Thanksgiving, I encourage you to share your appreciation with our healthcare workers, some of whom are working through the holiday to ensure our community has high-quality care around the clock. I have never been prouder of our Reading Hospital team than I am now and I appreciate that we can continue providing our friends, families, and neighbors with the exceptional care they deserve. On behalf of Reading Hospital, thank you for entrusting us with the precious gift of your health and we wish you a safe and healthy Thanksgiving.
If you find yourself traveling this holiday season, we encourage you to support our efforts to prevent the spread of respiratory illness by getting your annual flu shot, which is available at any Tower Health Urgent Care location.