Methodist Jennie Edmundson Staff Reflects on COVID-19 Anniversary

Friday, April 2, was a bittersweet first anniversary for the men and women who staff Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital. It was a year that saw heartwarming success and gut-wrenching failures.

It was just a year ago that Jennie Edmundson admitted its first COVID-19 patient. April 2 added a face to the hospital’s effort to battle the worldwide pandemic that was claiming a growing number of patients, but staff had been discussing how they would deal with the pandemic for weeks before the first patient arrived.

During a difficult year, a turning point for many at the hospital came with the recovery 44-year-old Morris Sandoval of Denison. He had been transferred to Jennie Edmundson with worsening respiratory difficulties after five days in the hospital in Denison. He was on a ventilator for 21 days.

"Morris Sandoval was a serious case, but he motivated and inspired the staff," said David Burd, senior vice president of operations. "He was the victory we needed to see."

The Daily Nonpareil: A bittersweet anniversary: Jennie Edmundson team looks back on year since admitting their first COVID patient