COVID-19 Incident Command 1-Year Anniversary

On March 12, 2020, McDonough District Hospital initiated its Incident Command system to start planning for COVID-19. What transpired over the next few weeks set the standard for how MDH would change operations during the pandemic.

The teamwork that developed between MDH staff, the McDonough County ESDA, the McDonough County Health Department and other county leaders helped form the foundation for a successful - and on-going - operation.

Words cannot describe how much everyone at MDH appreciates the support from EVERYONE in the region since the start of the pandemic... from making masks, to bringing food, drinks and snacks, donated PPE, posters of support and words of encouragement. The list goes on. 

"The unexpected onset of the COVID-19 pandemic challenged all of us to adapt to a constantly changing environment at work and at home under extraordinary circumstances," said MDH President/CEO Brian E. Dietz, FACHE. "With the good fortune of implementing the newly learned Incident Command structure, MDH was able to optimize our resources and ability to better serve our community. Since March 2020 everyone has given 100 percent to assure the healthcare needs of the community are met."

Below is a look back, from photos, videos, and news stories.

(Some photos were taken prior to the mandatory mask mandate at MDH. Click on the photo to view the Photo Gallery.)

Early in the Incident Command planning stages, MDH gave the public a behind-the-scenes look at the planning process and meetings that were involved surrounding the newly-named pandemic.

History was made again on December 16, 2020, when the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were delivered to McDonough County. Dr. Jack McPherson (MDH Hospitalist Medical Director) was the first of five physicians (pictured below) to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Another historical event took place just prior to the 1st Anniversary... the opening of the MDH Drive-Thru building.

You can take a driving tour of the MDH Drive-Thru.

Most recently, MDH announced a revised Visitor Policy, effective March 12 - exactly one year to the date of putting the Incident Command structure in place.

You can also click on the MDH COVID-19 resources website for the latest information on the pandemic.

Again, MDH says THANK YOU to all for your support over the past 12 months.