JOINING FORCES WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS By mid-April, Latino communities were some of the hardest hit by COVID-19. At that time, approximately 50 percent of the individuals in Hall County confirmed to have COVID-19 were Latino, which was disproportionate considering only 29 percent of Hall County’s population is Latino. This prompted the creation of an NGHS outreach group and community-wide collaboration to support and educate the Latino community through grassroots efforts. In partnership with Good News Clinics, NGHS hosted two events that offered free COVID-19 testing for low-income or uninsured Hall County residents. At the first event on April 19, more than 300 people were tested, and the outcome was staggering – with nearly 50 percent testing positive. At the second event on April 28, roughly 1,020 people were tested and about one-third were positive. “Working with NGHS to provide these testing events was extremely important for our community,” says Liz Coates, executive director of Good News Clinics. “Without their support and others, many of these families wouldn’t have been able to receive COVID-19 testing or education. We were honored to help offer support to some of the most vulnerable individuals, especially in a time of crisis.”
The prevalence of COVID-19 in these communities within Hall County led to the creation of the Gainesville Against COVID-19 Task Force, which included local Hispanic leaders, NGHS physicians, the Northeast Georgia Latino Chamber of Commerce and many others. Together, the Task Force targeted the business community and coined the mantra, “No Mask, No Service.” Working in tandem, NGHS’ outreach group and the Gainesville Against COVID-19 Task Force helped to support and educate the Latino community with outreach efforts that included: • Providing bilingual educational flyers and posters • Distributing facemasks and cleaning supplies to local businesses and schools • Organizing additional testing events with Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health and NGHS • Hosting educational Zoom meetings for community groups and churches • Producing specialized videos for local audiences such as taxi companies on how to travel safely with passengers and disinfect vehicles • Providing health education messaging that community members could use within their circles of influence and on social media
Honoring NGHS Employees We’ve Lost to COVID-19 The reach of COVID-19 knows no limits or boundaries. It has relentlessly impacted individuals throughout the community, the state and beyond. As of late September, NGHS had lost two of its very own, Deb Stevers and Joe Sykora. Deb was a compassionate nurse who served in NGHS’ Progressive Coronary Care Unit for 15 years. Joe worked in the NGMC Gainesville Electrophysiology Lab as a dedicated nurse. Even though they are no longer with us, our employees honor their memory by continuing their legacy of resilience and selflessness. Because Deb was one of the first healthcare providers in Georgia to lose her battle with COVID-19, Senator Butch Miller led a Senate Resolution to recognize Deb and her unwavering commitment and sacrifice.
The collaboration and teamwork between all employees, departments and medical campuses is what allowed us to maintain a high level of care for everyone.” Supriya Mannepalli, MD
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