San Bernardino public safety officials parade by Community Hospital of San Bernardino to show support for healthcare professionals working around the clock during the coronavirus pandemic on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. That show of support is reciprocated by hospital staff on bridge. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
A cavalcade of San Bernardino first responders proceeded from Community Hospital to St. Bernardine Medical Center Wednesday, April 22, to show appreciation for the health care professionals working around the clock during the coronavirus pandemic.
Along the 3-mile parade route, hospital presidents June Collison and Doug Kleam were presented small tokens of gratitude from the community.
Signs show appreciation during a parade of praise by the community and San Bernardino public safety officials at Community Hospital of San Bernardino on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
San Bernardino public safety officials parade by Community Hospital of San Bernardino to show support for healthcare professionals working around the clock during the coronavirus pandemic on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. That show of support is reciprocated by hospital staff on bridge. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Community Hospital of San Bernardino workers take a selfie before the San Bernardino public safety officials parade by to show support for healthcare professionals during the coronavirus pandemic on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Community Hospital of San Bernardino workers take a selfie before the San Bernardino public safety officials parade by to show support for healthcare professionals during the coronavirus pandemic on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Community Hospital of San Bernardino staff preserve the moment of recognition by San Bernardino public safety officials who parade by to show support for healthcare professionals Wednesday, April 22, 2020. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Community Hospital of San Bernardino healthcare workers take selfies and pictures during a ceremony and parade by San Bernardino public safety officials honoring their efforts during the coronavirus pandemic Wednesday, April 22, 2020. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Rosilyn Nolan, nursing executive officer, from left, Victoria Selby, COO, and June Collison, president, applaud massive amounts of food being dropped off for the Community Hospital of San Bernardino staff on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. San Bernardino public safety officials honor healthcare workers tireless efforts with a parade. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Community Hospital of San Bernardino employees view a parade by San Bernardino public safety officials from the hospital’s bridge Wednesday, April 22, 2020. First responders honor healthcare first responders counterparts. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
A connection between first responders at Community Hospital of San Bernardino where San Bernardino public safety officials parade by to show support for healthcare professionals during the coronavirus pandemic on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
The community reacts to San Bernardino public safety officials parading pass St. Bernardine Medical Center in San Bernardino to show support for healthcare professionals during the coronavirus pandemic on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
San Bernardino first responders honor one of their own, St. Bernardine Medical Center healthcare workers in San Bernardino with a parade during the coronavirus pandemic Wednesday, April 22, 2020. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
The community shows gratitude to St. Bernardine Medical Center in San Bernardino during the coronavirus pandemic on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
This scene of chaos is really one of appreciation by San Bernardino public safety officials to Community Hospital of San Bernardino workers on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
“It’s been a very challenging time for those of us in health care, especially caregivers and physicians caring for COVID-19 patients,” said Kleam, St. Bernardine president. “The fact first responders are doing this really makes our staff feel appreciated.
“It’s just a cool thing to do.”
Community Hospital of San Bernardino and St. Bernardine Medical Center have tested for and treated people with COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
As a result, said Collison, Community Hospital president, the nearly 700 physicians between the two medical centers have had to keep their distance from loved ones at home out of extreme caution. And for police officers and firefighters and paramedics to recognize that sacrifice, Collison added, shows “such unselfishness.”
“It takes a community to care for everyone that lives in it,” Kleam said. “The fact that other people are reaching out and saying thank you is pretty incredible.”
In addition to thanks and gratitude, Collison said the cards and gifts delivered Wednesday by first responders on behalf of the community conveyed unity in uncertain times.
“They’re saying, ‘We’ve got your back. We’re not going to let you stand alone. We are going to be there with you.’
“We have been in this community for over 100 years,” Collison added. “This is our community and the folks that live in this area, that know this is their hospital, that have always, always been supportive of it, they have just put the icing on the cake with what they did today.”
