Illinois Health Care Association

term care facilities, which is horrendous. In spite of it all, I think facilities did their level best. It was hard to pinpoint when, where, how it would come into your building – it wasn’t a question of whether it would, but how you managed it when it got there. “People have learned some good lessons from COVID. The value of staff became even more entrenched. I think the idea of how infection control should be thought of as an active and ongoing piece of how you provide care has gained a stronger place. It was tough but, thankfully, in December, vaccines rolled out and the numbers have changed drastically for our buildings. Proving the incredible effectiveness of residents taking the vaccine.” BVM: In summation, what would you like to share about the value of IHCA? Hartman: “Deep in the heart of the pandemic, a board member told me that if someone doesn’t recognize the value of an association like this right now, they never will. And it goes back to what I said earlier that these folks were fighting for the lives of everyone in their buildings. Staff and residents alike. They were trying to provide care, which is a 24/7 business in the best of times, but also manage the infection control protocols, manage staff not wanting to come in because they’re terrified of this disease, managing family members who are pounding on the doors demanding to see their resident. “In the face of all that, there were new regulations sometimes on a daily basis – new reporting requirements, new staffing protocols – so we were the ones that digested that for them. And then gave the information back to them in virtual presentations, or over the phone, in a manner they could understand. We advocated for funding, for programs. That showcases a lot of value from IHCA for our members in the health care sector. They’ve told us, “We needed you to do that” and that’s what makes it all worthwhile.” of developing some other standing nursing programs, so we can identify, cultivate, and train our own nursing workforce going forward.” BVM: Your thoughts on the impact of COVID in the Illinois health care community? Hartman: COVID was entirely unprecedented for the sector. We’ve never experienced anything like this and the toll was devastating in terms of human life, but in other ways, as well. Our residents were cut off, isolated from loved ones. There were 10,000 deaths in Illinois in long-