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The year-and-a-half long COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the most trying times in recent history, especially for Clark Regional Medical Center employees and the patients they treat.

“As everyone knows, the last 18 months have been very difficult on everybody, patients and the workers,” said Sheri Reynolds, the hospital’s senior director over its imaging services, cardiopulmonary and sleep lab.

Reynolds described what it has been like for healthcare workers throughout the pandemic.

“The workers have had to pull extra shifts, long hours, and there are many days where we have gone home crying because of what we have witnessed,” she said.

On Wednesday, community and healthcare leaders came to the hospital’s emergency entrance to show their gratitude to all area healthcare workers.

“What I really want to say today is say thank you to the unsung heroes,” said Raymond Smith, the chair of the hospital’s board of trustees. “The unsung heroes are you who toil day in and day out to improve the quality of life for other people. You work tirelessly without someone always recognizing you or patting you on your back lifting you up.”

Smith called healthcare “a calling” and compared those who accepted that calling to “linemen on the football field” who are in the trenches and do the dirty work so society at large can score a touchdown.

Winchester Mayor Ed Burtner and Clark County Judge-Executive Chris Pace presented a proclamation making it Healthcare Appreciation Day.

Burtner said he thought it was difficult to comprehend what healthcare workers go through daily.

“We say that we appreciate and understand how difficult it has been to you,” Burtner said to the healthcare workers watching the ceremony. “But I don’t think any of the laypeople here can really have a full understanding and appreciation. The past 18 months have been awful, and I appreciate every effort, every moment, every minute, every action and everything that you have done.”

Signs of support from local businesses and school children surrounded the hospital’s entrance.

Just seeing and hearing the community’s support was staggering for Reynolds.

“To be recognized for all the extra effort and the work we’ve put in to try and take care of our patients–to the best of our abilities–is just overwhelming.”

And of course, Reynolds wanted to say one thing to the community on behalf of healthcare workers for its support.

“We appreciate it so very much.”