The recent deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and others in similar circumstances remind us that racism continues to cast a long shadow across our nation. Structural racism is also manifesting significantly today through the disproportionate deaths of Black Americans and other people of color from COVID-19. We must respond in a renewed commitment to justice and peace. Let us work in solidarity to end the racism and violence that continues to devastate the health and well-being of too many. [More]

Recovered COVID-19 patients are being serenaded upon their discharge from Catholic hospitals with inspiring tunes. Mercy Medical Center is one of those hospital, and is letting COVID patients pick which song they want to hear as they are heading out. Mercy and some of the songs patients have chosen were mentioned in a Catholic Health World article about music being used to rejoice in the victories of patients who have survived serious or near-fatal complications of the virus and are going home. [More]

St. Vincent Charity Medical Center President & CEO Janice G. Murphy penned a letter that appears on the hospital's website encouraging people not to postpone regular preventative care, diagnostic tests and follow-up visits. She starts the letter by writing: "During the coronavirus pandemic, we are guided by our long-held mission to treat every patient with clinical excellence and compassionate care. With your health as our priority, we assure you that St. Vincent Charity Medical Center facilities provide a safe place for you to receive care." [More]

Mercy Medical Center is celebrating its nurses who deliver primary and preventive health care to enrich lives and communities in the Canton area. During National Nurses Month, Mercy announces its 2020 Clinical Excellence Award winners–Kristin Beabout, Sara Carter, Linda Shilts, Gina Stover and Rachel Wilson. As part of the annual celebration, Mercy honors nurses who have been selected for exceptional clinical skills, teaching abilities, communication skills, teamwork and professionalism. [More]

A father of two young daughters, Thomas Mayfield had a laundry list of barriers when the Georgetown County Dept of Social Services (DSS) recommended that Thomas enroll at A Father’s Place (AFP), a program of the the South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families. Finding the resources at AFP has helped him gain temporary custody of his children and given Mayfield a new road map to follow. [More]

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine recently announced that child care centers will be allowed to reopen May 31 under a new set of "rigorous" standards, including daily temperature checks for children. Joni Close, president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton and chair of Ohio’s Early Childhood Advisory Council, outlined the reopening conditions during the governor's daily coronavirus press conference. [More]

Amid this global crisis, the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland expedited its Good Samaritan grants program to provide financial support to the many organizations working around the clock to respond to unmet needs in Cleveland communities. In April 2020, the program provided $60,000 of basic needs funding related to the impact of COVID-19 with an additional $40,000 in grants to be distributed in May. The Little Africa Food Collaborative is one of the foundation's grantees. Its work to bring food resources and nutrition education into some of Cleveland's impoverished communities is profiled in Freshwater Cleveland. [More]

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has recognized Mercy Medical Center for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients with heart failure. Mercy was awarded Heart Failure Accreditation in April based on a rigorous review of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients with heart failure through pre-hospital care, early stabilization, acute care, transitional care, clinical quality measures and more. [More]

Leaders from the Senate, House and Administration are working on proposals for the next COVID-19 relief package. While timing for the next package is still uncertain, previous COVID-19 relief legislation have come together quickly, so it is important to engage with your lawmakers immediately.
Please contact your senators and representative and ask them to include a number of important policies in the next COVID-19 relief package to support front-line health care personnel and providers—including hospitals, health systems, physicians and nurses. [More]

More than $1.2 million has been awarded to organizations affected by the coronavirus pandemic, thanks to a collaboration among local foundations. The funding group, led by the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton and the Stark Community Foundation, recently announced the fifth and sixth rounds of emergency grant funding. [More]