Frederick Health's Top 10 Highlights of 2020

There’s no doubt that 2020 has been a challenging year. Looking back at the past 12 months, it’s clear that our healthcare team, and the Frederick community, rose to the many challenges we faced. Our entire team stepped up to give the safest possible care in the face of COVID-19. We couldn’t have accomplished all of this without the support of our generous community. Even in our toughest times, there are so many things to be thankful for and to celebrate. Let’s take a look at our top 10 favorite achievements from 2020.

1. COVID-19 Response
   We couldn’t start a list of top moments in 2020 in any other way but gratefulness for our team’s work during this pandemic. In the face of many unknowns, every one of our staff came together to help our community. We offered curbside testing right from the start. We set up a Family Connection Center to keep you in touch with your loved ones in the hospital. We used our blog to share information on social distancing, mental health, and essential workers' safety.
2. Critical Care Construction & ReEnvisioning Critical Care Campaign
   This September, we kicked off Phase 1 of construction to renovate and expand Frederick Health Hospital’s critical care services. Our plans include renovating and expanding the Emergency Department and the ICU and enhancing our interventional cardiology services. We’re creating a more patient-centered environment with more space to meet our growing community's needs. Read the full plan to see how we’re working to keep you healthy.
3. Increasing Access to Providers
   This year, we’ve welcomed many great new healthcare providers to Frederick Health Medical Group, including providers specializing in everything from primary care to thoracic surgery. Our providers know and trust one another, and they work together to coordinate each patient’s care. With this expanded network, you’ll have a top-notch team on your side. To see a full list of specialties, click here.
4. Launched Combined Frederick Health Patient Portal
   In October, we launched the combined Frederick Health Patient Portal, replacing Frederick Health Medical Group’s NextGen portal, and Frederick Health Hospital’s CareTrack portal. A single login lets you see your medications, appointments, medical history, and more, all in one place.
5. Good Samaritan of the Year Award
   Frederick Health employees, medical staff and Auxiliary volunteers were named the 2020 Good Samaritans of the Year. Since 1991, this award has recognized individuals whose lives have demonstrated “actions or achievements that have substantially advanced patient care, the economic health of the hospital, or the physical safety of Frederick Health Hospital’s patients and personnel, as well as a selfless commitment to improving the quality of life in the entire Frederick community.” There is no doubt that this group of individuals helped position our hospital as one of Maryland’s leaders in the COVID-19 pandemic.
6. Magnet® Recognition
   The American Nurses Credentialing Center created the Magnet® Recognition Program to celebrate the very best in nursing excellence. Being a Magnet® hospital means that nurses are empowered and grow professionally. At a Magnet® hospital, patients are at the center of all care and have better than average outcomes because of their nurses’ care. Only 9 percent of hospitals carry the Magnet® seal, and this year Frederick Health became one of them.
7. Improved Virtual Access to Care
   This year, it was crucial to increase virtual access to healthcare and specialty services, all while keeping our patients safe. We’ve made it easy to see your providers virtually. In addition to our existing Virtual Visits, which many took advantage of this year, we also launched the Get In Line service at Frederick Health Urgent Care—Frederick and Frederick Health Urgent Care—Urbana. It allows patients to check-in virtually and reduces time spent in the waiting room.
8. Received PPE and COVID-19 Donations
   When we swung into action to meet the pandemic head-on, our community jumped into action, standing with us in the fight against COVID-19. Your response was humbling. You volunteered to sew thousands of gowns and masks. You sent us gloves and shields and eyewear. Our COVID-19 Hospital Support Fund received over $100,000 in donations. Our Employee Relief Fund received almost $80,000. We are so thankful for the generosity in our community!
9. Frederick Health Auxiliary Support
   The Frederick Health Auxiliary keeps so many things running at Frederick Health. This volunteer group was founded in 1952, and they continue to support Frederick Health in so many ways. This year, our Auxiliary volunteers donated over 62,000 hours of their time. Our volunteers also made 5,000 reusable isolation gowns, 10,000 face shields, and countless other items to support our healthcare team during COVID-19.
10. Being There for One Another
    When times are hard, we need one another more than ever. We’re here to get you the care you need as quickly and easily as we can. You relied on us to provide care when you needed it this year. We were always accessible by phone, video call, or visit. You never had to go it alone.

We’re grateful to have the chance to take care of you and your family. Thank you for being part of our healthy Frederick community!