LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — While many people were able to stay home during the winter storm, thousands still had to brave the conditions to get to work.
Multiple nurses and doctors stayed overnight at Lynchburg General Hospital this weekend to make sure every patient was cared for.
Healthcare workers work long hours and overnight stays in order to keep community healthy during winter storm. (Credit: Centra)
Dr. William Engel, who works in pediatrics, started his shift on Saturday morning and didn’t leave until Tuesday morning. He said it’s not what they have to do, but what they love to do.
I love my job and being able to serve every day, and I look at events like this, and this is like the Super Bowl for us. This is now where we really get to serve. And we get to show that not only do we show up every day, but also when it’s really tough to show up,” Dr. Engel said.
Dr. David Boger, who is the site director in the emergency department, walked almost a mile from his house to a main road in order to catch a ride to work on Monday. He said he was going to get there no matter what it took.
This is kind of the job we signed up for, is to be there for the community. So when stuff like this happens, we just assume that we make it in basically until we fail or our car slides off the road or something,” Dr. Boger said.
The doctors said it’s been a while since they’ve seen a storm like this one in Lynchburg, and that it truly takes a team to keep things running. From food services to the snow plows, everyone worked to keep patients healthy.
Healthcare workers work long hours and overnight stays in order to keep community healthy during winter storm. (Credit: Centra)
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Centra said they also greatly appreciated the support from the community during the storm, whether that was neighbors giving nurses and doctors rides, or even just a kind message.
Centra said to continue watching their website for information about closures during the winter weather.
A representative from Centra said that with the winter storm, many hospitals across the nation are facing a blood shortage.
In a statement, they said, in part:
“Weather conditions have made transportation difficult and led to the cancellation of several donation events, creating an urgent need for platelet donations. Hospitals rely on these donations to ensure patients continue receiving lifesaving care.”
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You can find a location to donate blood or platelets at your local Red Cross.
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