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County announces first COVID hero nominations

Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel and the COVID-19 Response Team recently recognized the first five COVID-19 Hero nominations for this week. Nominations are recognized in a video posted weekdays on the Chautauqua County Government Facebook page, and each nominee receives a personal note from the County Executive’s Office.

“The response to our COVID-19 Heroes recognition program has been overwhelming,” said County Executive PJ Wendel. “I want to again personally thank our first five nominees: Chautauqua County Emergency Services paramedics and EMTs, Roberta Pratt, Karen Samuelson, Tammy McCool, and the Chautauqua Nursing and Rehabilitation Center staff. These teams and individuals have risen to the challenge of working on the front lines during a global pandemic, and are truly our COVID-19 Heroes.”

Paramedics and EMTs working as part of Chautauqua County Emergency Services have provided care when needed and requested throughout this Pandemic. They have donned Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and risked their own personal health and safety as they have entered into areas with high COVID-19 risk, and at no time was there a gap in service to the residents of Chautauqua County. Roberta Pratt chose to start working at Heritage Green Healthcare Center at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. She is always putting the needs of others before her own, and thinking of new ways to be there for the residents of Heritage Green and is recognized as a very hard worker who is dedicated to doing a good job and serving others. Karen Samuelson is a nurse at UPMC Chautauqua, who selflessly cares for her patients and has provided them strength and comfort throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tammy McCool is the administrator at WCA Home in Fredonia and has gone above and beyond to keep staff and residents protected from COVID-19. In addition to serving as the administrator, Tammy has worked shifts when staff have been out, often during 3rd shift after having worked as administrator during the same day. She has ensured staff have appropriate PPE despite shortages, and personally spoken with concerned family members of their residents throughout the pandemic. Last, the Chautauqua Nursing and Rehabilitation Center staff have been dedicated to providing safe, high quality care for their residents. Everyone from housekeeping, to nursing, to leadership are doing their part to care for others and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

To view COVID-19 Heroes videos, visit www.facebook.com/ChautauquaCountyGovernment. To nominate an individual to be recognized, visit the COVID-19 informational page on the county website at chqgov.com, or the form directly at https://chqgov.com/form/covid-heroes.

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