Delgado Visits Frontline Workers in Five Counties

RHINEBECK – Recently U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado (NY-19) crisscrossed New York’s 19th Congressional District and dropped off holiday cards for health care workers in five counties. Last Monday, Rep. Delgado also delivered greetings to Ellenville Regional Hospital and Garnet Health and thanked the staff for their work during the holiday season. The cards delivered by Rep. Delgado came from community members of all ages through Rep. Delgado’s Holiday Cards for Heroes Program. In November, the Congressman launched the second year of this program, inviting the community to create holiday cards for active duty service members and expanded the program in 2020 to include health care workers treating COVID-19 in our communities. This year, the office received more than 800 cards for our heroes.

Rep. Delgado started his day dropping off cards at Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson, then met with health care workers at Cobleskill Regional Hospital. Following his visit to Cobleskill, the Congressman stopped by A. O. Fox Hospital in Oneonta and then delivered cards to Bassett Health Center Canajoharie. The Congressman finished up the day at Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck. While the Congressman was traveling the district, members of the Office of Rep. Delgado also delivered holiday cards to active duty service members in the area.

“This year has presented a myriad challenges and I am so grateful to the health care professionals all across NY-19 who are working around the clock to protect our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Rep. Delgado. “This year, my office expanded our Holiday Cards for Heroes Program to include not only active duty service members protecting our region, but also health care employees working day in and day out to treat patients and keep our communities healthy. It was a privilege to meet with health care workers today, share our communities’ cards, and wish everyone a happy holidays.”

“A special thanks to Congressman Delgado for visiting Columbia Memorial Health today, his inspiring words for healthcare workers were very much appreciated! The cards he delivered from elementary school children have been posted to our Staff Intranet page, they’ve generated multiple smiles,” said Jay P. Cahalan, President/CEO, Columbia Memorial Health.

“On behalf of all the staff at Cobleskill Regional Hospital and the Bassett Health Centers in Schoharie County, I want to thank U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado for including healthcare workers in this year’s Holiday Cards for Heroes initiative and for personally delivering 100 of the 800 precious cards his office received from caring individuals from the 19th District. We are posting these messages on our bulletin boards and sharing them with our staff making sure everyone knows how appreciated they are,” said Eric Stein, southern tier executive of the Bassett Healthcare Network.

“We at Bassett Healthcare Network are deeply appreciative that Congressman Delgado paid us a special visit,” says Jeff Joyner, senior vice president and chief operating officer of Bassett Healthcare Network. “We are always proud of his representation and leadership. Our frontline staff in health care are working tirelessly every day without hesitation. Their bravery, diligence, and compassion are inspiring to me and everyone else. Thank you to Congressman Delgado and his team for their amazing support during this time.”

“I think it’s great that Congressman Delgado is taking the time to offer his support to us. It’s important for the government to get behind those on the frontlines, and it’s good to know that those in a position to do so are trying to get us the resources we need so that we can carry on in doing what we need to do to help the public,” said Dr. Kenneth Riley, Canajoharie.

“What a heartwarming gestures to do for our staff and brighten the holidays,” said Bridget Hewitt, Director of Patient Care Service, Northern Dutchess Hospital. Theresa McGrath, also a Director of Patient Care Service at Northern Dutchess Hospital added, “Thanks for caring for us while we care for you.”