Curry Health Network Welcomes National Guardsmen

Curry General Hospital in Gold Beach welcomes 11 National Guardsmen, ten of whom will be assisting hospital and clinic staff with non-clinical job functions, and one who will oversee their deployment. Oregon's Governor Brown has been deploying up to 1,500 National Guard troops to help hospitals in the state deal with resources stretched thin during the Covid-19 pandemic surge.

Curry Health Network's CEO Ginny Williams greeted them at Curry General Hospital on August 27 where they received general orientation and job-specific training. "The highest priority of these National Guardsmen will be to serve as patient sitters and entrance screeners, although they can assist with other job functions such as those in environmental services or the dietary department," she said.

"Patient sitters help our staff by keeping an eye on patients that may require a little extra assistance, and entrance screeners are integral to keeping our staff, patients, and visitors safe," she added. Screeners serve as front-line defense to identify persons with Covid-19 symptoms or previous recent exposure and ensure that anyone entering the healthcare facilities uses hand sanitizer and is properly masked. All healthcare facilities are mandated to require masking of staff, patients, and visitors.

"These gentlemen will become part of the Curry Health Network team and part of our communities. We hope the community will join us in welcoming them. We're very grateful for their help during this time," said Williams.

The National Guardsmen, all from Oregon, have been deployed to Curry Health Network and will be assigned to serve at Curry General Hospital in Gold Beach and Curry Medical Center in Brookings through September 30. The deadline could be extended to the end of the year, depending on the needs of each facility.