The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1235673
The Press-Dispatch Local Wednesday, April 15, 2020 A- 7 1704 HART STREET, VINCENNES 812-882-1191 • rcsappliances.com Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 9am-5pm, Fri. 9am-6pm, Sat. 9am-5pm We Service What We Sell! RCS SUPERSTORE Profile in health care: Human resources a different undertaking in pandemic By Janice Barniak Misty Wolford, senior human resources advisor to Gibson General, started in HR with the hospital in March, just on the cusp of the COVID-19 presence in southern Indiana. "The first couple of days, I was just getting my feet wet, then it was obvious- ly changing very quickly," she said. They began work- ing in HR on the "what-hap- pens-if" scenarios—scenari- os that quickly went from hy- pothetical to actualized, as in the case of the governor mandating all elective pro- cedures stopped, and mov- ing from several service lines (outpatient surgery, rehab, clinic) down to far fewer while keeping every- one working. It was a far cry from Wol- ford's previous work; she's been in HR seven years, and in healthcare since she was a teenager working as a nursing assistant in a long- term care home. Wolford's grandmother was a nurse, she's married to a nurse and was working in audiology in Corydon when Gibson Gen- eral recruited her. She said the pace is some- thing new—every day is a new day with COVID-19. Employees are monitored and asked questions about possible symptoms; the hos- pital went from few visitors to no visitors; they discuss the flexibility of hospital ar- eas, and what area might be a future COVID ward. Employment laws are changing at the federal level in response to the pandemic, which is something HR has to be familiar with and an- swer questions about. "There is a lot of fear- fulness even in people that don't have a lot of risk (age wise)," she said. They have questions about what hap- pens to benefits if the hos- pital has to cut hours, or they're worried about what will happen if they get sick or their child gets sick. The best analogy, she said, is that it feels much like disaster preparedness. "In the normal course of a year, we plan for what if a tornado hits," she said. "We have to prepare for worst- case scenarios, and teams are working in each area." Since March was when she began, she has yet to have a typical day. "I look forward to find- ing out what normal here is like," she said. In HR, however, she's in the unique position of being able to see what the hospi- tal's healthcare workers might need, and where they might have challenges. She said many of the hos- pital's workers are facing is- sues with childcare—school is out, but the workers are still on full-time, and some may even have issues af- fording childcare as it was an unexpected expense at this time of year, or they may have multiple children, or they may be single par- ents, or may usually have grandparents to help who, because of their vulnerabil- ity to the new virus, they are uncomfortable asking to as- sist the way they normally would. To that end, Wolford has been collecting outside re- sources to try to find child- care in the area that is still open, and also income- based childcare. Some families may have income difficulties out- side childcare, as their bills were based on two incomes and the other parent is out of work. Despite the challenges, however, the staff are keep- ing their spirits up. "They're an amazing group of people here. Their number one focus is getting through this with every- one still with us," she said. "Watching all departments work together is very uplift- ing." She said for people who want to support healthcare workers, there are many ways to do so. "Actually, what they need—they need kind words, reassurance," she said. If someone has a re- source for finding safe, af- fordable childcare across southern Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky (the work- ers come from all these ar- eas), they can email them to her at mwolford@gibson- general.com. If locals know a healthcare worker—in- cluding someone in main- tenance, or IT, or dietary— and they feel moved to offer support, it could be some- thing like mowing a lawn or having a meal delivered to the family to show you care. "Just keep reminding them how important they are. We can't fight—" She clears her throat. "Sorry. I'm getting choked up. We can't fight through this thing without all of them." Misty Wolford Local physician to host webinar for stress relief Local family medicine physician and life coach, Errin Weisman D.O., will be sharing tips on positive mindset, suggestions to fel- low Pike County residents to help keep your sanity and ongoing safety rec- ommendations during this unprecedented situation we are currently facing. It can be viewed via Zoom or Facebook Live at the Pike County, Indiana Chamber of Commerce for this talk and Q and A. This mental health virtual gathering is a collaborative effort be- tween the Pike County Eco- nomic Development Corp. and Pike County Cham- ber of Commerce. Visit opportunity4miles.com. It will be live from 11 a.m. to noon on Monday, April 20. Errin Weisman D.O. We're not afraid to shed some light on the truth. 812-354-8500 SUBSCRIBE TODAY!