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Well, it’s the time when we celebrate love across our country. Sweethearts give cards, chocolates, flowers or enjoy a dinner together. Friends exchange cards or have Valentine’s parties. It is a time to think about your loved ones.

So, it’s an appropriate time to remind us why we should love our local hospital. St. Luke’s is a top-rated critical access hospital, and like the 19 other critical access hospitals in our great state, it provides life-saving care to our rural communities. The American Hospital Association states that “rural hospitals serve more than 61 million Americans.” But St. Luke’s provides much more than life-saving capabilities; it is a powerhouse for cardiology, cancer care, orthopedics and sports medicine, mental health and wellness, pain management, urology and general surgery. 

In addition, the hospital owns and operates two rural health clinics and many other ambulatory locations that provide care outside of the hospital. 

Do you need a physical, lab work or physical therapy? St. Luke’s is ready to serve you. The men and women working there are dedicated, caring, and committed to ensuring you receive the best care possible with kindness and compassion. 

This week, the National Rural Health Association is holding its annual conference on rural health policy in Washington, DC. It’s a time for rural healthcare leaders to convene, speak with one voice and present their concerns to lawmakers on why we need them engaged in the battle to create policies that help, not hinder, rural hospitals like St. Luke’s. I have attended several of these events and looked forward to attending again this year. Unfortunately, I cannot participate due to a conflict and will miss the excellent education, advocacy and policy work underway.

You should know that Amanda Thompson, VP of Philanthropy and the Foundation’s Executive Director, and Stephanie Postol, VP and Chief Nursing Officer, are representing St. Luke’s at this conference this week. The two local executives traveled to Washington to assist the North Carolina Office Of Rural Health and are meeting with lawmakers to share the unique story that continues to unfold at St. Luke’s.

Advocacy and lobbying by rural health officials are critical in today’s healthcare environment. Telling a small hospital’s struggles in fighting for an equitable share of funding and support to underwrite expansion and innovation is essential for the health of small, rural communities like ours.

So, why support our local hospital? They are a dedicated team working harder to keep your family healthy — 24/7. Sounds like the makings of a perfect Valentine if you ask me!

To give to our local hospital this Valentine’s Day, visit Foundationslh.org/donate