In late December 2019, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission in China reported an outbreak of a pneumonia of unknown cause. Nine days later, officials determined the acute respiratory virus to be caused by a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Within days, members of the Massachusetts General Hospital’s senior leadership team and the Center for Disaster Medicine began to closely monitor the situation and mapped out plans for the virus’s possible spread across the globe, throughout the nation and right here in Boston.

Mass General staff would spend the next several months working tirelessly—while facing new challenges and difficult, often emotionally draining situations. They cared for thousands of patients while learning new treatment options, supported their colleagues by ensuring all areas of the hospital were cleaned using the latest infection prevention methods and sought to make a difference through innovative research methods.

While this global pandemic has altered life in many ways, it also highlighted that all levels of Mass General staff can be counted on to rise to any challenge. In this special edition of Mass General Hotline, we celebrate the more than 27,000 individuals who made such an incredible impact on our patients, our community and our colleagues during this time.

WE RECOGNIZE YOU. WE APPLAUD YOU. WE THANK YOU.

Download this special issue (PDF) >> 

Extraordinary Times, Extraordinary People

Employees gather during a briefing

In the early days, members of the Massachusetts General Hospital’s senior leadership team and the Center for Disaster Medicine began to closely monitor the emerging situation and mapped out plans for the virus’s possible spread. This photo was taken before the Universal Mask Policy went into effect.

A worker helps gather cleaning supplies and gowns.

During the surge, 1,820,230 isolation gowns and 22,875 canisters of Super Sani-Cloths were needed. This photo was taken before the Universal Mask Policy went into effect.

A worker fit-tests another employee

COVID-19 surge statistic: 6,412 employees were fit-tested for personal protective equipment, or PPE.

A masked member of Mass General security looks toward the camera.

In this special edition of Mass General Hotline, we celebrate the more than 27,000 individuals who made such an incredible impact on our patients, our community and our colleagues during this time.

Employees plant a tree

Employees have cared for thousands of patients while learning new treatment options, supported their colleagues by ensuring all areas of the hospital were cleaned using the latest infection prevention methods and sought to make a difference through innovative research methods.

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