← News Home

Indianapolis Mayor visits healthcare workers at Community Hospital East

For release on September 28, 2021

Frontline caregivers share impact of COVID-19

Indianapolis—Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett visited healthcare workers at Community hospital East Tuesday to get a better understanding of the impact COVID-19 is having on health systems in the city.

Mayor Hogsett spent about an hour at the east side hospital, visiting and speaking with doctors nurses, and other caregivers in the intensive care unit (ICU) and emergency department where most COVID patients are cared for. He was joined by Community Health Network president and CEO Bryan Mills, Chief Physician Executive Dr. Ramarao ‘Ram’ Yeleti, and leaders from Community Hospital East.

‘Seventeen months ago, when we first engaged the pandemic, all healthcare workers were considered ‘heroes,’ the mayor said as he addressed reporters after the visit. ‘They still are.They have been working under extraordinary circumstances.. I thank them for their continued work.’

Community Hospital East, like hospitals around the state, has reached bed capacity during the latest surge of COVID-19. Dr. Yeleti invited Mayor Hogsett to visit the hospital to spread the word about the impact to healthcare workers; and in the hopes of getting more people vaccinated.

‘Our nurses and caregivers are burned out and worn out. It is a real morale booster to have the support of the mayor and the city,’ said Dr. Yeleti. ‘We have over one hundred COVID patients in our hospitals who are not vaccinated. If everyone gets vaccinated, this will be our last surge in the pandemic.’

To provide support and relief for caregivers, Community instituted a program called, ‘Helping Hands,’ in which employees director level and above are asked to work in areas most in need at its hospitals round the Network. Those areas include dining services, environmental services, and some clinical areas. The work involves cleaning, stocking supplies, and assisting in patient care.

‘The most important thing anyone can do to help is to get vaccinated,’ said Mayor Hogsett.

About Community Health Network
Headquartered in Indianapolis, Community Health Network has been deeply committed to the communities it serves since opening its first hospital, Community Hospital East, in 1956. Community Health Network puts patients first while offering a full continuum of healthcare services, world-class innovations, and a new focus on population health management. Exceptional care, simply delivered, is what sets Community Health Network apart and what makes it a leading not-for-profit healthcare destination in central Indiana. For more information about Community Health Network, please visit eCommunity.com.

Kris Kirschner, Director Corporate Communications, Community Health Network
Kris Kirschner
Director, Corporate Communications