It’s been a long 2.5 years for health care workers.

COVID-19’s United States debut in March 2020 triggered drastic shifts — which are still felt today across the country in all industries — but none were more affected than health care workers.

More than 2.5 years later, their work remains changed because of the pandemic. The job was a difficult one to begin with, one that took the toughest of teams. But throw in COVID-19, the loss associated with the virus and related safety precautions and measures, and it’s a whole new challenge to work in health care now.

On Monday, the Butler County Chamber of Commerce showed just how appreciative it is for how Butler Health System has played its part in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. The Chamber named Butler Health System its 19th Community Champion Award winner earlier this week at a luncheon at Concordia Lutheran Ministries.

Ken DeFurio, president and CEO of the health system, called the health care workers at BHS “heroes” as he accepted the award on behalf of the system, something he said he was reluctant to do because the caregivers were the ones who showed up as champions amid the height of the pandemic.

Officials like Mayor Bob Dandoy also noted in his comments how the hospital system was key to distributing the COVID-19 vaccine in Butler County.

People had their worlds turned upside-down in March 2020. And it’s not back to normal for most, but it’s especially far from what was normal for health care employees.

Despite ongoing challenges, BHS employees keep up the hard work taking care of those who are sick and helping distribute the vaccine to those who want that protection.

We appreciate all that BHS has done and continues to do amid the pandemic, and we join the Chamber in applauding them.

– TL