Thanking our Healthcare Workers

Helping those who are saving our lives

Over the past few weeks, Blue Cross of Idaho partnered with the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health to show thanks to our healthcare workers by handing out food and beverages to show our support through the difficult conditions they faced as Idaho hospitals implemented crisis standards of care due to a significant increase COVID-19 hospitalizations this fall..

“We can’t do enough to thank and reward these dedicated healthcare professionals,” Mike Reynoldson, chairman of the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, told KIVI News 6. “They are working under crisis standards of care, holding the hands of patients, comforting families, and doing everything possible to save lives. Their efforts should be rewarded, and we sincerely thank each one.”

We gave a total of 10,000 meals to Idaho healthcare workers at these locations:

• Portneuf Medical Center, Pocatello
• West Valley Medical Center, Caldwell
• Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, Boise and Nampa
• Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, Nampa
• Luke’s Treasure Valley and Magic Valley locations

These meals included hot lunches or dinners, sandwiches, dessert bar or covering the cost of lunch in the hospital cafeteria.

Healthcare workers have been on the frontline trying to keep us alive and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. We wanted to be able to let them know that the work they do is greatly appreciated.

“Hospital staff across the state – nurses, doctors, specialists, security and facilities – were all forced past their breaking points every day for nearly three months,” said Charlene Maher, president and CEO of Blue Cross of Idaho. “But each day these men and women would return to work to serve our community. Their resiliency and compassion filled me with gratitude. Delivering a hot dinner or sponsoring a dessert bar is our small way to give back to these selfless men and women.”

To find out more about these events, you can watch KIVI News 6’s coverage at one of our St. Luke’s Boise events, or you can read our feature in the Idaho Press.

Posted: December 14, 2021