Coronavirus Update: Donor Says Thank You To Santa Cruz Hospital Employees With $1 Million Donation
SANTA CRUZ (CBS SF) -- It's become a common practice in the San Francisco Bay Area for first responders and others to gather outside local hospitals and cheer health care workers during shift changes. One individual has taken that appreciation a step further.
An anonymous thank you note left Dominican Hospital came with a $1 million donation with a request that the money be used for bonuses to the facility's staff.
"To the heroes of Dominican Hospital: Thank you for standing up (and staying up!) to care for our community," said the donor in a letter directed to hospital employees. "This humankindness is what makes you heroic. Please accept this donation in recognition of and with great thanks for all that you do. And please know that my heart is with you as we seek to protect and care for each other during this challenging time."
The gift was designated entirely for employees — nurses, cleaning staff, lab techs, medical records, even mailroom staff and security guards who have worked at Dominican for at least a year are getting a bonus check. Full-time staff get $800, part-timers receive $600.
All employees who have met a threshold number of hours worked before March 1, 2020 will receive the check within the next 30 days.
"We cannot adequately express the depth of our gratitude for this gracious, selfless gift," said Hospital president Dr. Nanette Mickiewicz in a statement. "We are incredibly proud of the work our hospital family is doing in the face of such an unprecedented situation. This generous donation is a testament to their clinical excellence, their tireless dedication and, most of all, their profound humanity."
After weeks of hard work, nursing supervisor Amy Loudon said she was amazed at the generosity of a stranger, and especially appreciative it's being shared with all employees this week.
"There are so many people who keep the hospital running. Nurses and doctors are getting the praise, but we couldn't do it without the staff who clean the floors, deliver supplies, fix machines, everything. It's a team, and I'm glad the whole team is getting a thank you," she said.
As for her own bonus?
"I'm definitely going to spoil myself a little bit," she said.
Which is probably why the anonymous $1 million do-gooder made the donation.
© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
