Hospital Program Gives Staff Opportunity to Thank Patients for Military Service

Covenant Health has introduced a new initiative to recognize and thank patients who are veterans or on active military status. This initiative will be put in place at Claiborne Medical Center on December 1, 2020.

Of the 17 million veterans in the U.S., only about one-third receive hospital care at Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities, while the other two-third receive hospital care at civilian hospitals.

Covenant Health’s new program will help identify veterans as part of the hospitals’ admission process. Case managers have information on hand to help connect military service men and women with VA healthcare and other possible benefits.

Clinical social worker Cindy Winterberger, LMSW, has coordinated a military recognition program as part of her responsibilities at Covenant Homecare and Hospice, and she has been integral in implementing training and activities related to active military and veterans’ care at Covenant Health.

Winterberger explained that questions about military service have been added to the hospitals’ patient admission process. “It creates a moment for our staff to thank and honor that person. When a patient has been identified as having served, they will be offered a special pin and certificate thanking them for their service and sacrifice,” she said. Winterberger added that noting military information in a patient’s file will be helpful for recognition if the patient has any future admissions to Covenant Health hospitals.

In addition to recognizing inpatients, Claiborne Health and Rehabilitation Center recognized 5 residents who are veterans on November 11th. Betsy Maples serves at the military recognition team leader for Claiborne Medical Center. Ms. Maples is the daughter and wife of U.S. Army veterans and is proud to serve at the coordinator for this program. “It is my honor to recognize our veterans who have given so much in their service for our country. I hope that our recognition of our patients and residents lets them know how much we appreciate them,” said Maples.