Kathy Cook: ‘Stay Calm, Stay Connected, Take This Seriously’

Kathy Cook, president at St. Joseph Warren Hospital, is hanging tough. You can read more about the hospital at the Mercy Health website.

What are some ways the COVID-19 outbreak has changed your work life?

This has had a major impact on my work life.  We have switched from daily operations to Disaster Preparedness, implementation and care of the Coronavirus patients while maintaining ongoing care for our patients.  We have moved all meetings to virtual meetings.  We have teams created to ensure that we are identifying ways to create capacity to meet the needs of the community to care for those that come to us for care as more people become ill with the Covid-19 virus.  I have a great team which includes all of our employees working to serve our patients.  Everyone is stepping up.

How about your personal life? 

I am following social distance.  I am going from work to home.  It is essential that we follow the direction of our Governor to ensure that we are not exposed to the virus.   My extended family has set up some group messaging.  We actually set my mom up with a Facebook Portal so all of us including her grandchildren can all visit with her virtually!

What steps are you taking to hang tough? 

Focusing on staying healthy — making sure I am eating the right foods. That is a priority.  It’s important to make sure I take care of myself to be able to continue to serve my team and meet the needs of our patients.  I’m leaning on my husband for support. 

What advice are you sharing with the people you love? 

First and foremost – stay calm.  Please take this seriously.  It is up to all of us to follow the social distancing to stop the spread.   Stay connected so that we can support each other.