The City of Stillwater Mayor and Council declared Monday, September 27 – Friday, October 1, 2021 as Healthcare Professional Appreciation Week in Stillwater. Citizens, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to participate in the week’s activities and support our healthcare professionals who “continuously serve on the frontline to battle COVID-19 in addition to countless hours addressing other health emergencies and concerns,” as stated in the proclamation.
“Some healthcare professionals have left the profession and some are reconsidering their frontline careers due to increased pressures from the COVID-19 crisis,” included Shyla Eggers, Stillwater Medical Center. “We are critically short-staffed and our teammembers are exhausted.”
Since July 1, 2021, 98% of people admitted to Stillwater Medical Center (SMC) with COVID-19 are unvaccinated, and 100% of deaths due to COVID-19 were unvaccinated.
A COVID-19 vaccination incentive contest has been developed with collaborative efforts from the City of Stillwater (COS), Stillwater Medical Center (SMC), Stillwater Chamber of Commerce, and Visit Stillwater. The goal is to increase vaccinated citizens throughout the community to decrease the spread of the virus and severity of the illness if contracted.
Mayor Joyce added, “Doctors, nurses, and the staff at Stillwater Medical Center are worn out, they’re tired. They would like our help in trying to figure out how to get the numbers down at the hospital; the vaccine incentive might help. This may make a difference for some who have not gotten the vaccine yet…”
The contest is Tuesday, August 17 to Thursday, September 30. There will be a live drawing on Friday, October 1, 2021 for $100,000 in cash prizes and Oklahoma State University Football tickets. Stillwater residents must provide proof of residency and proof of started or completed COVID-19 vaccination to enter. Citizens can enter the contest by bringing their two proofs to either the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce or Visit Stillwater.
“Health facilities have been under siege for the past year and a half. Local vaccination rates remain below 50%; if incentives help increase the vaccination rate even 10%, it is worth it,” City Manager Norman McNickle said.
There are many events planned for Healthcare Professional Appreciation Week in addition to increasing COVID-19 vaccination(s).
| Healthcare Professional Appreciation Week in the City of Stillwater Monday, September 27 – Friday, October 1, 2021 Monday, Sept. 27: Citizens are encouraged to tie a white ribbon around trees, poles, mailboxes, front porch banisters, and etc. as a “ribbon of hope” amid the health crisis and for our healthcare professionals. Tuesday, Sept. 28: Participate and/or encourage friends and family to receive COVID-19 vaccination(s). Share your vaccination pictures on social media and use hashtag #SleevesUpStillwater. Wednesday, Sept. 29: Send a card or letter of appreciation to our healthcare professionals. Citizens are encouraged to send their notes of appreciation to their personal doctor’s office and/or Stillwater Medical Center staff, using mailing address: Stillwater Medical Center Administration1323 W. 6th Street Stillwater, OK 74074 Thursday, Sept. 30: Stillwater Police and Fire Parade for Healthcare Professionals through the SMC parking lots and around the hospital beginning at 6:30 p.m. The event will be live-streamed on the City of Stillwater Facebook page (@CityOfStillwater). Last day to sign-up for Stillwater’s COVID-19 vaccination incentive contest (Stillwater Chamber of Commerce or Visit Stillwater). Friday, Oct. 1: Share a kind message of support for Stillwater Healthcare Professionals on your social media, include pictures if you can, and tag @StillwaterMedicalCenter and use hashtag #SleevesUpStillwater, and watch the live drawing for Stillwater’s COVID-19 vaccination incentive contest on @CityOfStillwater Facebook or television (AT&T U-verse channel 99 or Suddenlink channel 14). Throughout the entire week, participating local businesses will host discount sale events for healthcare professionals who present their work ID.Also, there will be opportunities for citizens and organizations to donate funds to local businesses to have a “tab” for healthcare professionals to utilize (example: a free coffee at participate business). The Stillwater Chamber of Commerce will work directly with the Stillwater Medical Center to develop a list of participating businesses and to share that list with the SMC staff. |
For detailed information about the COVID-19 incentive contest, visit: http://stillwater.org/page/breaking-news/-sleeves-up-stillwater.
