IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR HYATT - Hyatt President and CEO Mark Hoplamazian and American Airlines President Robert Isom announce surprise, free vacations for thousands of NYC Health and Hospitals/Elmhurst staff. The announcement occurred at NYC Health and Hospitals/Elmhurst on Friday, May 8, 2020, in Queens, New York. (Ann-Sophie Fjello-Jensen/AP Images for Hyatt)
Over 4,000 employees at a hospital in New York City, USA, were surprised with free vacations in recognition of their continuous efforts to combat the novel coronavirus.
More than 4,000 staff, which includes nurses, food service teams, facilities, physicians, and doctors, were surprised with a 3-night complimentary vacation.
Hyatt and American Airlines announced on Friday that the NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst will be getting the vacations.
The 2 companies got together to make sure that the frontline workers get free round trip flights on American Airlines to Hyatt Hotels.
The staff will be getting to select destinations from the US and the Caribbean.
They were offered the vacations so they could reconnect with their loved ones.
Isreal Rocha, the CEO of the New York City Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, released a statement about the incident, where they said:
Our doctors, nurses, and other staff on the front lines of this unprecedented health care crisis really appreciate the outpouring of support from two of America’s major companies, and we look forward to taking advantage of these well-earned vacations in the near future.
According to reports, the New York City Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, which is a public hospital located in Queens, New York City, helps in treating around 1 million people per year.
In New York City alone, there are 333,000 people that have been infected with the novel coronavirus.
Over 26,000 people had died in New York from the deadly bug.
Since the coronavirus pandemic took over New York City, the staff at the New York City Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst have been working to overcome the staggering number of coronavirus cases.
There are a total of 545 beds in their ICU, but they had to increase their capacity by 500 percent.
Talking about why they are doing the kind act, Robert Isom, the President of the American Airlines, released a statement, where they said:
Every worker at Elmhurst has seen and experienced challenges many of us cannot imagine. They’ve given so much of themselves and chose to serve their community with care, compassion and equity for every patient. When they are able to take a break, we hope the time away will help them and their loved ones recharge and that they feel our deepest appreciation for their sacrifice and heroism.
With all the negativity that is going on in the world right now, we needed to hear this.