OHSU moves proactively to sustain its workforce

Health Care , Community , Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Aerial OHSU Marquam Hill
Aerial OHSU Marquam Hill
Aerial OHSU Marquam Hill
Aerial of OHSU. (OHSU/Aaron Bieleck)

Oregon Health & Science University is taking steps to strengthen the resilience of its workforce in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Danny Jacobs, M.D., M.P.H., FACS
Danny Jacobs, M.D., M.P.H., FACS

OHSU President Danny Jacobs, M.D., M.P.H., FACS, announced a set of measures to support the workforce of Oregon’s academic health center.

“Hundreds of thousands of Oregonians rely on the services that our members provide every day,” Jacobs said. “So, if we don’t take care of ourselves, the cascading effect would be detrimental to the entire state.”

The following measures take effect immediately:

The full text of Jacobs’ message to employees follows below:

People are our priority

A commitment from President Jacobs during this unprecedented time

If you’ve heard me talk about a need to invest in our people, programs and places, you’ll notice that the ‘people’ always comes first. That’s not an accident – our people are our most important asset to address our duties and responsibilities not only in patient care, but also in research and education. Hundreds of thousands of Oregonians rely on the services that our members provide every day. So, if we don’t take care of ourselves, the cascading effect would be detrimental to the entire state.

The current environment we are operating in is unprecedented, and it has and will continue to strain all members in every way. The high degree of uncertainty of how COVID-19 will continue to impact our lives – both personally and professionally—has created an incredible amount of stress. From personnel worried about young children no longer in school, to staff in fear of a reduction in employment due to modified operations, to doctors and nurses working around the clock to combat COVID-19 – this situation is affecting us all.

In spite of the uncertainty, I do know that the people of Oregon need us all – every one of us – more than ever before. It’s “all hands on deck” as we work swiftly and dexterously to navigate the events as they unfold, and you are all rising to the challenge. It is likely that the pandemic has not yet peaked, and our university, our health care institutions and our health care workforces will be strained like never before in the coming weeks.

To ease some of the uncertainty and acknowledge you all for what you mean to our institution and the state of Oregon, OHSU is committing to: 

Details on these additional benefits will be forthcoming, so please stay tuned to future communications.

I can’t aptly express my appreciation for the teamwork that has occurred as this situation has evolved and my hope is that this will take some of the stress off our most important asset – you. I also want to make sure you are taking care of yourself to the greatest extent possible. It’s a sign of strength to access mental health and wellness services. OHSU has several wellness benefits and mental health services available if you need them. 

Thank you for working collectively to serve our mission, especially during this trying time. 

Danny Jacobs, M.D., M.P.H., FACS, President

 

 


OHSU Communications
503 494-8231