February 14, 2003

Dear Colleagues:

Once again, the Hopkins family has joined together to maintain Hospital operations during a period of extraordinary challenges. This time it was during what experts now are calling the city’s worst snowstorm. Some of you walked blocks through knee-high snow to report to work. Others stayed here overnight to help maintain operations and take care of our patients. Still others braved treacherous roads to drive themselves and colleagues to Hopkins. It was an extraordinary effort by extraordinary people during extraordinary times. While I can’t personally thank each one of you, I want to express my personal gratitude and appreciation for your outstanding service and dedication to duty. More important, our patients and their families thank you.

The past few days have truly witnessed a team effort by thousands of individuals and many departments who pulled together toward a common goal. While outside the wind howled and the snow continued to fall, many of our physicians, nurses and support staff came early and stayed over to maintain the high quality of patient care for which we are renowned. Our facilities staff performed the remarkable feat of clearing seemingly endless layers of snow, some working 16 straight hours. Our security staff played a vital role in assisting many departments with emergency transportation for their workers. Our food services managers and staff provided an uninterrupted supply of meals for workers, many of whom spent the night. Our Centrex operators stayed at their workstations throughout the storm to ensure the flow of vital communications. Meanwhile, I also want to thank members of the weather emergency team who worked around the clock in the Smith Room and in departmental command centers to direct and coordinate the countless activities necessary to keep our doors open and our patients safe.

It was a remarkable performance by a remarkable team. I thank you all enormously.

Regards,

Ronald R. Peterson

President,
Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System