Steward Health in Arizona sends nurses to Massachusetts for COVID-19 surge

Essential healthcare personnel from Mountain Vista Medical Center in east Mesa and Tempe St. Luke's Hospital are traveling to Massachusetts to support East Coast hospitals during their peak crisis.

The team of skilled medical care staff from Steward Health Care in Arizona is made up of registered nurses, respiratory therapists and licensed practical nurses. They will be supporting their sister hospitals for the next two to four weeks assisting in the care of COVID-19 patients that is expected to surge in the next several weeks, according to a release.

Massachusetts has more confirmed cases of COVID-19 than Portugal, Austria, Russia, Israel or South Korea, according to the global map that John Hopkins University researchers have been updating.

“We are about to have a very difficult couple of weeks here in Massachusetts, and it could be three weeks and it could be four depending upon how this whole thing plays out,” Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said during a daily virus update April 10, according to a release.

“I am very humbled by the level support expressed by our employees who have a strong desire to provide care to those most in need,” Brian Dunn, president of Steward Health Care for the Western Region, said in the release. “We have the ability to send staff to the outbreak in Massachusetts and will continue to provide staff throughout the coming weeks. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by this pandemic.”

Mountain Vista Medical Center, part of Steward Health Care, is a 178-bed, full-service hospital at Crismon Road and Southern Avenue in Mesa. Go to mvmedicalcenter.org or call 1-877-924-9355.

Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital, a part of the Steward Family Hospital Network, is an 74-bed, community hospital that has been serving the east Valley for more than 75 years. Go to tempestlukeshospital.org or call 1-877-351-9355.