Community Can Send Well Wishes to Hospital Patients During COVID-19 Outbreak

DETROIT – For hospitalized patients, hearing from friends and family is always an important part of recovery. During the current COVID-19 outbreak, connecting with well-wishers from the community may be just as important. 

Earlier this week, Henry Ford Health System launched its “Well Wishes” online community platform in response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency that has temporarily restricted visits to patients in hospitals, in an effort to keep their spirits up and spread kindness.   

“We know that our patients not being able to have visitors and loved ones at their bedside can be very isolating. Our patients need to know they are not forgotten, and that people care about them. It is our hope the well wishes we collect and share on the in-room televisions will bring a smile to their faces during what we know is a very challenging time for them,” said Bob Riney, President, Healthcare Operations and Chief Operating Officer, Henry Ford Health System. 

Anyone from the community can share well wishes and words of inspiration online with Henry Ford patients at henryford.com/wellwishes. These messages are displayed on television monitors in patient rooms, on a dedicated channel through Henry Ford TV.  

Sharing well wishes provides a safe and convenient way to remind patients who are isolated that their communities are thinking about them. Submitted messages are screened by the Henry Ford Care Experience team to ensure patient privacy before they are posted – any information that identifies the patient is not included. As many well wishes as possible will be displayed on the dedicated channel. 

Henry Ford TV is the in-house, patient education and entertainment system that is deployed at all the five System hospitals which have a combined bed count of more than 2,300. 

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MEDIA CONTACT: Sal Giacona / 313-421-9108 / sgiacon1@hfhs.org