Feature

She had no doubts about the skill of her caregivers. But, when Etta Hammie arrived at JPS Health Network in November suffering severe COVID-19 symptoms, she didn’t think she had the strength to go on.

“I’ve been a nurse for many years, and I told them when I got here that I didn’t want any part of a ventilator,” Hammie said. “But it was only a short time before things started to get worse and the doctor came to me to say that she was concerned I was getting too weak to survive without help.”

It’s no secret that 2020 was an extremely tough year to be a medical professional.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has demanded an incredible amount of resilience, dedication and skill from physicians and advanced practice professionals. Expert care is more appreciated than ever. Even though there is little time to celebrate, it’s important to recognize the providers who are always ready to respond to the needs of the community.

JPS Health Network isn’t just a great place to get a broken bone fixed.

Recognized as one of the best hospitals in the country at helping prevent fractures before they happen, it is one of 71 hospitals nationwide to be designated an “Own the Bone Star Performer” in 2020 by the American Orthopedic Association. 

When Jennifer Hernandez started to have a throbbing headache in July, she didn’t think much of it.  

She was only mildly concerned when she also started to feel weak and suddenly didn’t have the energy to get out of bed. 

COVID-19 doesn’t only effect the lungs and hearts of the people it touches, the virus also deeply effects their minds and emotions. 

Dr. Alan Podawiltz, Chairman of Behavioral Health at JPS, said the demand for mental health care has increased dramatically over the past nine months as COVID-19 has spread in our community and around the world. 

Following a year of struggles they couldn’t possibly have imagined, JPS Health Network patients say they’re especially grateful this holiday season to have their health restored and to be home with their families for the holidays. 

When he started working at JPS Health Network four decades ago, Gregory Massey never imagined that he’d still be in the same place 40 years later. 

A prominent local artist has paid tribute to people who work behind the scenes to save lives during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic with a series of portraits he’s created called “The Faces of JPS.” 

Blessings in the Middle of a Pandemic 

Thanks to COVID-19, it’s been a tough nine months across the country and around the world. But it turns out that even this dark cloud has a silver lining. 

Deundhray Steele works a top secret job on a U.S. Navy submarine, so making sure people don’t know where he is at any given time is his job.