Southcoast Health is working to safely reopen medical services and facilities that were closed during the height of the pandemic.

Two leaders involved in the process join us for this episode. Primary care physician Dr. John Podkowa serves as Senior Vice President & Chief Medical Information Officer, and Tonya Johnson serves as Southcoast Health’s Vice President of Operations for the Southcoast Hospitals Group and the Site Administrator for Tobey Hospital. Together, they help us understand the work and planning that is going into making sure patients are safe when they come in for medical services. As COVID-19 will be with us until a vaccine is available, the plans being developed now are expected to be in place for many months. As services and locations reopen for patients, the Southcoast.org website and social media sites will be updated.

We hope you’ll take away three things from this episode. First, that safe care is being provided at Southcoast Health while we are continuing to treat COVID-19. Second, that the virus is going to be with us for some time until a vaccine is available. Third, that all of us working together can help ensure the health and safety of the South Coast region through masking, social distancing, washing hands and more. We can all make a difference in the health of our community.