Jan L. Bergen, CEO, Lancaster General Health
I have often thought that there is no better time to evaluate an organization’s competencies and culture than during an emergency. Our true colors shine through when we are tested.
Recently I have spent some time reflecting on what we have learned about Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health since the COVID-19 pandemic began. What I saw over the past several months makes me incredibly proud.
Throughout this pandemic, I have seen individuals and teams at all levels of LG Health demonstrate extraordinary collaboration. The way we work together so effectively—for example, setting up our first community testing site within a matter of days—is a clear strength of our culture. I believe that our consistent ability to move quickly from plan to execution sets us apart from others.
I also continue to see exceptional adaptability and agility. This is evident in your willingness to step up and do whatever is asked of you, whether that means working in a different role or shift, or responding overwhelmingly to our community’s urgent need for blood donations.
At LG Health and across Penn Medicine, we have taken the lessons we have learned and adapted our work very quickly.
This is especially impressive considering that we have never before encountered this virus, and there is so much we still don’t understand. Our agility and adaptability are absolutely essential to ensuring the safety of our workforce and our community.
In my more than 20 years at LG Health, I can’t recall another time when the importance of our role in the community has been more apparent. In addition to health care, our community depends on us for counsel and leadership. When we see an opportunity to provide leadership—such as guiding local efforts to implement contact tracing—we step up to fill that role.
Most of all, I am inspired by the passion and commitment of our leadership team, providers and staff during the initial local increase of cases, and now while we have restored services, elective surgeries and procedures. Whether or not you work directly with patients, please know that each and every one of your roles is meaningful and important.
I am deeply grateful for your many valuable contributions in service to LG Health and our community. It is truly remarkable what we are achieving together.