January 20, 2022
When Carol and I had been married about two years, the Navy sent me on a short-term mission. My submarine was in port getting new technology installed, so the Navy sent me to the Mediterranean to "ride" (that's the word we used) a submarine for four weeks that already had the new technology so I could learn it. The plan was to fly over, ride the sub, and fly back four weeks later. At the end of the 4-week period, the Captain of my boat (submariners call them "boats", not ships) called Carol to say I would not be coming home as scheduled, but she would get a call when she could pick me up at the airport. She knew not to ask where I was or what I was doing – the Navy did not think she had a need to know.
This being pre-internet days, Carol turned on the evening news that night to see if she might get a hint of where I was. The big story was that Israel had invaded Beirut. Carol had her answer. She knew I was likely off the coast of Lebanon somewhere lurking beneath some Soviet ships. Four months later, she got a call that she could pick me up the next day – there had been no communication in the meantime.
When I took my oath to serve our country, I knew what I was signing up for, but at the same time had no idea what I was signing up for. The big picture was clear – I was agreeing to sacrifice my life if necessary to protect and defend this great country. Exactly how the fulfillment of that oath would affect my life was something I accepted was out of my control or knowledge.
It is an unprecedented time in healthcare in general and our community in particular. As healthcare professionals, we all signed up for this – sort of. To one degree or another, we chose to work in healthcare because we wanted to serve our community. Of course, when we made that commitment we did not expect to be navigating the largest expansion project in the hospital's history while we responded to a once a century pandemic. The final phase of our expansion project is nearing completion, the pandemic has not abated and now we face a third significant challenge with two neighboring hospitals closing. The mission hasn't changed though it has gotten more complicated and the pandemic has extended the timeframe.
Our Executive Leadership Team is working tirelessly to execute strategic plans and create proactive solutions as we absorb these changes in our market. We've hired a record number of people in the last six weeks and have several waves of new employees in the coming weeks. The last week in February, we will open the last 10 beds of the Emergency Department renovation. We will continue to adapt and adjust to the new healthcare realities surrounding our community in this very challenging time. Chester County Hospital is ready for when you and your loved ones need us most. Thank you for your continued support of Chester County Hospital and our mission.
Gratefully,
Michael J. Duncan
President and Chief Executive Officer
Penn Medicine Chester County Hospital