From simple acts of kindness, to being present during delicate aspects of peoples lives, healthcare workers perform heroic deeds. Every day they bring professionalism, compassion and dedication to their work and to those who are in their care. St. Lukes Hospital is asking our community to join in giving healthcare workers a special expression of gratitude for their service. The tribute is part of a celebration of National Hospital Week, recognized May 9-15, and National Nurses Week, May 6-12.

This is a time when people in our community can give recognition to a group of individuals who dont ask for it, yet perform an important community service every day. It takes head, hand and heart to do their jobs. Every day our hospital staff comes to work, not knowing what to expect, but ready for anything. National Hospital Week and National Nurses Week allow us time to take the extra effort to show these dedicated individuals that their work matters, and we notice their exceptional quality of care.

While hospitals across the country use this week to celebrate their purpose and mission, I doubt theres another hospital that has as great a group of dedicated staff as those right here in Polk County at St. Lukes Hospital. Were very fortunate to have such outstanding employees who care for our patients with great skill and compassion.

I know this because I hear from patients and families, even physicians, for the efforts of our staff to ensure a patients stay is comfortable and that their emotional and physical needs are met. I get letters, phone calls, Ive even been stopped on the street to hear a story of appreciation that St. Lukes Hospital is here and that they received exceptional care.

And I also know that we are providing excellent care because we are asking our patients about their stay and care in St. Lukes. Through a professional research company, we are able to measure and benchmark patient satisfaction for a recent stay or an outpatient encounter. Im glad to see our numbers are climbing as we continue to focus on service excellence in our effort to be your hospital of choice.

For 80 years now, St. Lukes Hospital has been an important and integral part of this community providing emergency, primary and acute healthcare services to Polk County and the upstate of South Carolina. We are working hard on all fronts to continue to meet the healthcare needs of our community.

As we celebrate National Hospital Week and National Nurses Week this month, I invite you to join me and our board of trustees in recognizing our outstanding staff and their commitment to St. Lukes Hospital and this community.

St. Lukes Hospital is a not for profit, acute care hospital affiliated with Carolinas Healthcare System of Charlotte, N.C., for specialized management expertise, experience with developing strong community-based clinical services, and participation in revenue and purchasing contracts. CHS is the largest healthcare system in the Carolinas and the third largest public system in the nation.