A Special ‘Thank You’ This Holiday Season

Scott B. Kanagy, DO, MBA, vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer, Upper Valley Medical Center

The holidays are upon us as families and loved ones are gathering to celebrate. It is a time of year to be thankful for everything we have in our lives. However, there will be many who require care and compassion this holiday season as some fight for their lives or take their last breath. There will be those in need of caregivers who sacrifice so much every day to help them.

What you do matters to so many, and you will touch countless lives this holiday season. At the end of the day, the sacrifices you make, as an individual, come with a difficult toll. Please remember your family and friends who are missing you, as you provide care to others. Thank them this holiday season for their sacrifice. Most importantly, remember to take time to care for yourself, your family, and friends. So often we care for others and forget to care for ourselves and the ones we most cherish.

You are surrounded by many others who are also stepping up to the calling of being a part of a health care organization and providing care for those in need this holiday season. Take time to reflect on the careers you have chosen and why you submit yourselves, your family, and friends to helping others. The answer is quite simple: health care is a calling and matters to so many people in our community.

There will be many in the health care field who will not be able to celebrate a holiday on its respective day. It is important that we celebrate all holidays with those we love regardless of the date on the calendar. You make a tremendous difference in the lives of so many. I thank you for all you do every day, but especially during the holiday season. Happy and safe holidays to all.

Back to the December 2019 issue of Premier Pulse.