Oregon’s 59 community hospitals are celebrating National Hospital Week, which takes place May 12-18. Every year since 1921, National Hospital Week is celebrated by communities and health care professionals across the country. Sponsored by the American Hospital Association, National Hospital Week is a time to reflect on the important role hospitals play in their communities.
A hospital is more than a place where people go to heal, it is a part of the community that fosters health and represents hope. From providing treatment and comfort to the sick, to welcoming new life into the world, hospitals are central to a healthy and optimistic community.
The event theme, “A Guiding Light for Changing Times,” is the centerpiece of the week aimed at uniting health care facilities across the country and recognizing the countless individuals that provide care 27/7/365.
“National Hospital Week, first and foremost, is a celebration of people,” said Andy Van Pelt, chief operating officer of the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems. “We’re extremely proud of Oregon’s hospitals and we recognize the important role they play in extending a sense of trust to patients in their communities.”
In addition to being a major health care provider, Oregon hospitals support the community by contributing to the local economy through jobs, providing charity and uncompensated care to help individuals who cannot afford to pay for the care they receive, and supporting important community programs and wellness initiatives.
Oregon hospitals contribute to their communities in countless ways 24/7/365. Here are some statistics from around the state for 2012:
- Number of babies born at Oregon hospitals: 44,087
- Number of hospital visits: 9,955,663
- Number of hospital employees: 59,993
- Number of ER visits: 1,272,142
“Oregon hospitals are more than just health care providers,” continued Van Pelt. “They are neighbors, family members and friends. That is what our hospitals are all about: Caring for the people and the communities by providing the high-quality health care they deserve and need.”
The nation’s largest health care event, National Hospital Week dates back to 1921 when it was suggested by a magazine editor who hoped a community wide celebration would alleviate public fears about hospitals. The celebration, launched in Chicago, succeeded in promoting trust and goodwill among members of the public and eventually spread to facilities across the country.
