*NOT FOR EXTERNAL DISTRIBUTION*
Source: New Hampshire Union Leader
Author: Senja Christopherson
Date: September 9, 2024
IN THE 21 years that I’ve been providing care at Frisbie Memorial Hospital, the staff and patients here have been my constant. Frisbie has a history of providing quality health care in the Rochester area, but I’ll always think of it as my community hospital on a mission to help more patients.
At the same time Frisbie officially became part of HCA Healthcare, in March 2020, COVID was declared a global pandemic. I don’t have to remind Granite Staters that this was an extraordinarily difficult time in health care — for patients, families, providers and our community. As health care workers, we were learning from one another and transitioning to a new normal with our HCA colleagues. The pandemic added a layer of complexity no one could have anticipated. However, HCA Healthcare was an incredible partner throughout the entire process, creating a stable environment and access to much-needed resources as we navigated many challenging times.
HCA also was there for us during the record-breaking cold temperatures in the winter of 2023. We had a devastating flood due to burst pipes and our operating rooms, recovery unit, and endoscopy had to be shut down. HCA not only rebuilt the areas, but made sure they had cutting-edge technology and equipment. We have counted on HCA Healthcare to meet the needs of our patients in Rochester and the Seacoast communities — even under difficult circumstances.
One of the greatest benefits of being part of HCA Healthcare is that we are part of a larger network. With a more than 40-year track record of providing care in New Hampshire, we rely on HCA Healthcare for all the resources we need to provide high-quality care for our patients and to take care of our staff. HCA continuously invests in the hospital. In less than five years, we’ve been able to launch a neurospine surgery program, new behavioral health services, state-of-the-art breast imaging center, and a new inpatient acute rehabilitation center.
The hospital, and the community, are lucky to have nurses who come from diverse backgrounds and with a wide range of experience. HCA Healthcare has helped us make Frisbie a place where everyone can grow. It is very important to me as a nurse leader that my team have access to resources to continue to grow in their careers. For nurses interested in leadership, HCA has multiple leadership programs. For example we currently have more than 120 participants in our Nursing Leadership Certificate program.
HCA Healthcare encourages us to volunteer and give back to our community. In the last year, we’ve donated more than $84,000 through HCA Healthcare Match and spent 1,717 hours volunteering in our neighborhoods. We’re lucky to be able to support more than 200 charities and schools, and to donate more than 1,200 pounds of food to local food banks. I think this only makes us stronger, both as healthcare providers and as community stewards. HCA Healthcare has provided us with many options to get involved with our neighbors and build a more connected New Hampshire. I’ve seen firsthand how this invigorates our staff, and I am grateful that HCA has made it a priority to drive community involvement.
Frisbie has been an integral part of Rochester since it was established and, with HCA Healthcare’s help, we’ve made it an even stronger partner as our community grows.
Big changes always bring questions. I want to make sure my Manchester neighbors know that our experience going through the transition at Frisbie tells me that HCA Healthcare will be a great partner for you, too. You can count on significant investment that will improve experiences for patients and increase access to care for your community. Being a part of the HCA Healthcare New Hampshire network will allow your providers and colleagues to focus on health care delivery and their professional growth in a supportive environment. At Frisbie, we’ve come a long way in just five short years, and I’m excited about how this partnership will benefit Manchester, too.
Senja Christopherson is director of inpatient nursing at Frisbie Memorial Hospital. She lives in Rochester.