WHEREAS, public health is critical to sustaining and improving the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, a hallmark of Virginia’s public health network is the extensive collaboration among its hospitals and health systems and with external partners and stakeholders to advance community health and well-being; and

WHEREAS, frontline caregivers in hospitals and health systems throughout the Commonwealth have shown great resilience in the face of a public health threat while working tirelessly and selflessly to keep Virginians safe and healthy while also addressing other pressing public health needs; and

WHEREAS, Virginia Hospital Week celebrates men and women who improve the health of their communities by delivering compassionate patient care; and

WHEREAS, Virginia’s hospitals accommodate more than 4.3 million patient days, handle more than 741,000 inpatient admissions, receive 3.3 million emergency department visits, and deliver nearly 88,000 babies annually; and

WHEREAS, Virginia’s hospitals on an annual basis accommodate more than 55,000 voluntary and involuntary behavioral health admissions to provide for the mental health care needs of patients; and

WHEREAS, Virginia’s hospitals provided more than $3.3 billion in community benefit and other types of support to the Commonwealth in 2022; and

WHEREAS, Virginia’s 111 hospitals employ more than 124,000 individuals, generating $64.3 billion in economic activity and are a top five employer in many Virginia communities; and

WHEREAS, Virginia’s hospitals provide quality care to patients, education to future health care professionals, and community leadership; and

WHEREAS, Virginia Hospital Week is an opportunity to thank all the dedicated individuals within our hospitals and health systems for their many outstanding contributions; 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize May 12-18, 2024, as VIRGINIA HOSPITAL WEEK in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.