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National Guard Provided Helping Hand

photo by: Photo provided

Elmhurst Head Nurse Janice Bippus, left, talks to West Virginia National Guard member Rashell Davis last month when the guard members first arrived. Their time of service at Elmhurst ended last Friday.

WHEELING — The West Virginia National Guard may be gone from local medical facilities, but they have not been forgotten.

This past Friday was the final day guard members were to serve at hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities across the state of West Virginia. Their work — ordered by Gov. Jim Justice — was to provide help in non-medical ways to the facilities dealing with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jamie Crow, executive director of Elmhurst, The House of Friendship, said Tuesday that she was “disappointed” to see the five guard members leave the assisted living facility.

They arrived on Valentine’s Day, she noted, and their time there just flew by.

Crow wishes they could have stayed because Elmhurst is still short-staffed in its nursing department. Just one or two more nurses — either an RN or LPN — are needed to help pass out residents’ medications, she said.

“They were a great help in dietary,” Crow said, adding the members helped prep and cook food and serve it to residents.

They also worked the front desk where they greeted visitors and did health screenings. In addition to their work tasks, the guard members also provided a “breath of fresh air” to the facility. The residents enjoyed talking to them, especially those who are veterans, about their service.

“They loved being there. They blended in with the staff and were so helpful,” Crow said. “It was a great experience for us and the residents.”

Crow said she is still accepting applications for nursing positions. People can work either full or part-time. She noted people have applied for the jobs in the past, but many have not called back when contacted by Crow.

“I’m willing to talk to anyone who wants information,” Crow said. “People can go to our website to get an application as well.”

To access an application, visit www.elmhurstpch.com/employment-resident-assistant-positions-available/.

“The National Guard leaving was sad because very quickly they became part of the Elmhurst family. It’s hard to believe it was time for them to leave,” Crow said.

WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial Hospital in Glen Dale also had guard members’ help. Tony Martinelli, COO WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial Hospital, said Tuesday the guard members helped in several areas including housekeeping, cafeteria, patient transport and visitor screenings.

“In addition to the work they did, having them in the hospital gave our staff a morale boost. They showed up every day with great positivity and enthusiasm,” he said. “We want to thank them for the work they performed as well as their service to our country.”

While the guard members will be missed there, Martinelli said it was OK for them to leave at this time.

“The guard gave our staff some much needed assistance during their time here. With COVID cases now on the decline, our staff is ready to continue the work of combatting this pandemic,” he said.

WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital spokeswoman Thea Gompers said the guard members did a fantastic job and provided support in transporting patients, COVID screenings and in the laundry and dietary departments.

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