November 23, 2020
To: Jimena Loveluck - Washtenaw County Health Officer
All Health Department Staff
From: Gregory Dill, Washtenaw County Administrator
Re: Thank You!
Hello everyone,
This Thanksgiving week I want to thank our own Health Department and the entire public health workforce who are committed to overcoming challenges and finding solutions to protect the health of all Americans. You dedicate your time and energy to combat public health crises such as COVID-19 and other community health threats. You are heroes who keep our families safe from infectious diseases by developing and disseminating vaccines, promote community health, advance health equity, and help prevent injuries, among many other efforts. In 2020, as we face down the most dangerous pandemic in a century, our gratitude is deeper than ever.
Along with Research!America and many other leading organizations from around the country, Washtenaw County recognizes Monday, November 23, 2020 as Public Health Thank You Day and salutes you, our public health heroes who have spent nearly all of 2020 helping to keep us safe during this global pandemic. Countless staff have spend innumerable hours helping to communicate information, educate residents, answer questions, perform contact tracing and assist with testing. Just this weekend, for example, your dedicated staff tested 483 people in 5 hours at our Towner location. Thank you.
I am always incredibly grateful for Jimena's leadership, but even more so over the course of the past 9 months. She and you, her entire department, have demonstrated extraordinary resiliency in the face of our COVID-19 crisis. The entire staff at the Health Department has always defined professionalism; COVID has allowed us to also see your collective compassion and determination. I am in awe of the grace you each possess, despite the long hours you're working to fight a virus that is both indiscriminate and unpredictable.
Thank you, I wish each of you a safe and restful Thanksgiving.
My best,
Greg
Gregory Dill
Washtenaw County Administrator