Joanne M. Conroy, MD CEO & President:

The health and safety of our patients, the public and our employees is of the utmost importance to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health. When confirmed cases of Coronavirus in the U.S. escalated early last week, we immediately implemented established appropriate response protocols. These protocols included activating internal, multi-disciplinary teams that work closely with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services and that are trained to respond to rapidly-evolving situations such as COVID-19.

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health recognizes that, unfortunately, an employee who was directed by Dartmouth-Hitchcock to self-quarantine did not comply. We understand the public’s concern. All appropriate procedures were followed by Dartmouth-Hitchcock and we are confident that no patients at Dartmouth-Hitchcock were put at risk of exposure.

We are in near constant communication with state and national officials to gather the most up-to-date information; we are issuing daily updates to all D-H employees; and we are providing regular updates to the public through our website https://www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/patient-education/coronavirus.html and social media channels.

Yesterday we initiated a daily video briefing, which can be viewed our website and social media channels, to provide updates and address concerns relative to the COVID-19 situation hosted by Edward Merrens, MD, D-HH, Chief Clinical Officer and, Antonia Altomare, DO, MPH, D-H Hospital Epidemiologist and Head of Infectious Disease and International Health. In today’s video update they discuss what qualifies as close contact for exposure and why masks will not protect you from COVID-19.

On Friday, March 6 at 11:30 a.m. EST, I will host a Facebook Live event at www.facebook.com/DartmouthHitchcock to provide additional updates and answer questions about COVID-19. I will be joined by Dr. Merrens, and we invite the public to submit questions to us by email at social@hitchcock.org. We will respond to as many questions as possible.

As this situation continues to evolve, we remain committed to providing the latest information to our patients, employees and the public. DHMC, our clinics and member hospitals remain open and safe, and there has been no disruption to the high-quality patient care that we provide.

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