Two hospitals. Two tributes. And gratitude returned.
Jefferson City's hospitals, Capital Region Medical Center and SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital, went through dark days, speakers said - darker than the first wave from COVID-19.
But small acts of caring and kindness, like people dropping off cookies, or children writing encouraging messages on their sidewalks helped staff get through the worst of it.
Before the pandemic, she could not have imagined the experiences she's had, said Kristen Pringer, CRMC director of the medical/surgical unit.
"But, I don't think we could have made it through this - and we won't continue to make it through this without the community support, and the support of our organization," Pringer said. "It has been truly humbling to be in the community."
Grateful community members stood outside Jefferson City's two hospitals Wednesday evening and let staff inside know they are appreciated.
United Way of Central Missouri - supported by the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce and Central Bank - hosted the events, intended to lift the spirits of hospital workers.
The #WeCare Tributes were intended to honor staff members of the hospitals, who during about two years have faced challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"#WeCare is a locally supported, grassroots effort to lift up all health care heroes, especially those on the frontline in our community," a news release said. "All our community members are invited and encouraged to attend the #WeCare Tribute to show their support for our healthcare heroes."
Because they couldn't be in two places at once, organizers staggered the tributes' starts.
First, they gathered in the parking lot of Capital Region Medical Center Physicians wing. Minutes later, organizers led a tribute outside St. Mary's Hospital, in the visitor entrance parking lot.
What staff at hospitals have witnessed during the past year and a half was nearly indescribable, said Jenny Akin, an intensive care unit nurse at St. Mary's Hospital.
"So much suffering. So much death. So much pain," Akin said. "Just so much darkness. This pandemic truly has been some of the darkest days - not only in health care, but in our community."
People have lost loved ones.
"It's hard to watch," she said. "You have someone who goes from being completely healthy coming in, and then just slowly (or drastically) just deteriorate."
Health care workers try to tell patients and their families that everything will be OK, but the promise is gossamer, because staff members know there are serious struggles ahead for the patients, and they aren't sure they can keep that promise, she said.
It weighs on hospital staff.
It's better, she said, to focus on the goodness that has shined through and helped keep morale up.
"I have watched, personally, the dedication and perseverance of my work family," Akin said.
She wouldn't be able to do her job, she said, without the doctors, techs, dietitians, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, pharmacists when she had questions about all the new medications being used in the effort, housekeepers who make sure other staff have everything they need, monitor techs who are her second set of eyes for when she's in a room with one patient and her other patient may have a change in heart rate or oxygen numbers.
"I have witnessed so much darkness, but the camaraderie and the compassion I have seen among my team is just unbelievable," Akin said. "There's just nothing like it. These people are like my second family."
She said she loves the little community, and grew up nearby.
She's grateful for the restaurants that brought the hospitals food, snacks and drinks, the schools and church programs sending in cards with inspirational messages, and the children-drawn chalk art with inspiring messages.
Tyler Silvey, an emergency room nurse at CRMC, said he speaks - not only for himself, but for his colleagues - when he says the pandemic took a toll on patients, health care workers and family members.
Silvey's cared for all ages of patients, he said.
It's painful to watch the families separate in the emergency room. Having witnessed the scene hundreds of times during the past year and a half, staff in the emergency room know deep down it may be the last time those family members see each other.
"It's been a very mentally and physically taxing experience at times," Silvey said. "On behalf of the emergency department I want to sincerely express our thankfulness for the support that we've received from the community - whether it be snacks that people have brought in to the ER, cards, letters or somebody offering a kind word."
He added his personal favorite was when children from elementary schools drew superheroes and they were hung all through the department.
"That shed a little brightness on those really dark days," Silvey said, and added, "I want to thank everybody that has gotten vaccinated."