Neuhaus Visits Local Hospitals to Thank Healthcare Workers

  Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus visited Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, NY on Tues., Dec. 15 and Garnet Health Medical Center in Middletown, NY on Wed., Dec. 16 as healthcare workers received the first COVID-19 vaccinations in the County.

    Neuhaus took the opportunity to thank the hospital’s administration and frontline staff for their inspirational response during the COVID-19 pandemic, which began in mid-March.

  “I want to thank all of Orange County’s healthcare workers for their resiliency and for the extraordinary care that they are providing our residents during this unprecedented time,” Neuhaus said. “Their perseverance, spirit and commitment are instrumental in getting us through this crisis. I’m grateful that the first vaccinations have arrived in Orange County and are earmarked for these brave individuals. We have a long way to go in the fight against the virus and we must remain vigilant about following public health guidelines to stop its spread. However, the arrival of the vaccine has raised spirits and morale, and that energy was palpable at both hospitals that I visited.”

  Bon Secours Community Hospital, part of the Westchester Medical Center Network, gave the first COVID-19 vaccinations in Orange County on Dec. 15 to workers there and affiliate St. Anthony Hospital in Warwick. Approximately 30 nurses, doctors, and other highly essential staff were vaccinated with the first round of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccinations. Melanie Pinto, RN, an ICU nurse, and a COVID-19 survivor was the first to get vaccinated. Pinto explained that having COVID-19 for five weeks was one of the sickest times in her life and it was one of the hardest illnesses she has had to overcome. She encourages everyone to get the vaccine when it is available to them.

Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus (right) talks to Garnet Health Medical Center ICU Registered Nurses Melanie Pinto (left) & Sarah Stewart at Garnet Health Medical Center in Middletown, NY.