A team of physical therapists at Peconic Bay Home Health Care are #HomeCareHeroes. Read their story.
THE PT TEAM AT PBHS
Early on in the COVID-19 pandemic, Peconic Bay Home Health Services (PBHS) realized it needed to be a part of the solution to the fact that the coronavirus was negatively impacting the Hispanic and African-American communities in greater numbers.
The cancellation of elective surgeries in New York State allowed Peconic Bay’s Physical Therapy team to spring into action in a comprehensive Community Outreach Initiative. Backed by the Suffolk County Department of Health’s Office of Minority Affairs and Hudson River Healthcare, PBHS PTs began working at county COVID-19 testing sites, including at-risk communities of Brentwood, Coram/Gordon Heights, and Riverhead.
In total, PBHS PTs volunteered over 400 hours of community service at these sites during the height of the pandemic in April and May 2020. They met with people getting tested for COVID-19, gave out COVID-19 materials and PPE, and provided instructions on proper hand washing and strategies to minimize spread. They also volunteered at weekly food lines of the Lighthouse Mission. The team handed out surgical masks, hand sanitizer, and COVID-19 education materials in both English and Spanish to the community members who were in need. PBHS team members did similar efforts at St. John Church in Riverhead and The Faith Alive Ministries in Central Islip thanks to a partnership between Northwell Health and church leaders.
Rather than furloughing physical therapists and telling them to stay home, PBHS did the exact opposite. In response, these committed individuals rallied. They showed courage and heart.
Do you have a #HomeCareHero to recognize? Complete our online form here. We’ll post their story and picture on our website and social media. Please share on your social media accounts, too.