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Weekly Message from
LHH CEO Michael T. Phillips
October 9, 2020
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Dear Laguna Honda Residents and Families,
Please join me in celebrating Filipino American History Month at Laguna Honda throughout the month of October. During this month, we honor the community’s rich history and culture. We extend a special recognition to our staff and residents who identify as Filipino/a/x Americans. We also highlight the great contributions of Filipino Americans to our healthcare system, and their extraordinary efforts during the pandemic.
In the Bay Area, we are so fortunate to be home to one of the largest Filipino American communities in the country. This proud, rich, and unique culture has played an important role in making the Bay Area such a special place.
More than forty percent of our staff at Laguna Honda are Filipino Americans. With such a large representation in our workforce, the contributions of Filipino Americans at Laguna Honda cannot be overstated. To our valued Filipino American staff, we are so grateful for your dedication, compassion, and expertise in making Laguna Honda a great organization.
We celebrate Filipino American History Month in October to commemorate the first recorded presence of Filipinos in the continental United States, which occurred on October 18, 1587, when “Luzones Indios” came ashore from the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Esperanza and landed at what is now Morro Bay, California. October is also the birth month of Filipino American labor leader Larry Itliong, a great leader who organized on behalf of grape workers and other farmworkers in the Central Valley.
As I reflect on Filipino American History Month, this year especially, the Tagalog word and Filipino cultural value of “bayanihan” comes to mind. Bayanihan refers to a spirit of civic unity and community, a coming together, and an interdependence with one another. Bayanihan is certainly at the heart of how we must continue to support each other through these challenging times. Bayanihan, indeed may well be the defining feature in our work toward building a better future together – one that centers on achieving equity and justice for us all.
Over the next month, please join me in celebrating Filipino American History Month and paying tribute to the generations of Filipino Americans who have helped shape our community.
Resident Flu Vaccination Update
Due to distribution challenges impacting the region, Laguna Honda is delaying the rollout of our resident flu vaccinations. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Our team is eager to begin offering flu vaccines and the unfortunate delay is caused by factors outside of our control.
We will continue with our staff vaccinations because with Laguna Honda under protective quarantine, we know how important it is to vaccinate staff and prevent staff from bringing the flu into our community.
Resident Care Teams will obtain consent and coordinate all details with you once the vaccines arrive at Laguna Honda.
Laguna Honda Working with the California Department of Public Health
I am pleased to share with you that the Immediate Jeopardy (IJ), placed on Laguna Honda last Wednesday, was lifted two days later on Friday, October 2nd, 2020. As I shared last week, although Immediate Jeopardy represents a designation of noncompliance with State regulations, Laguna Honda has been working closely with CDPH and we thank them for their collaboration in ensuring resident safety.
The CDPH survey team was very complimentary of Laguna Honda staff and leadership, and our proactive work to maintain a safe environment.
As the largest skilled nursing facility of its kind in America, our work is never truly done. Please know Laguna Honda leadership is committed to improving the quality and service at Laguna Honda Hospital, and maintaining the highest standards of care for our residents.
Updated COVID-19 Numbers
At Laguna Honda, we have had a total of 92 positive COVID-19 cases since our first known case in March 2020. There have been 27 resident cases and 65 staff cases. Currently, there is one active resident case and two active staff cases.
COVID-19 dashboards with LHH’s staff and resident case numbers are available online at LagunaHonda.org/COVID19.
Please continue to help us fight this virus by social distancing, wearing a face covering, washing your hands frequently, and staying home if you are sick.
If you have any questions about LHH’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic or the safety and wellness of our community, your resident care team is available.
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Sincerely,
Michael T. Phillips, MHA, FACHE
Chief Executive Officer
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