FITCHBURG, Wis. — Hospice care requires the acceptance of death as a part of life, and one local hospice center has decided to emphasize accepting reality.
This week, Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg joined the growing number of organizations and businesses requiring their employees to get vaccinated against COVID. CEO and president Lynne Sexten says a push from the Wisconsin Medical Society helped.
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“The Wisconsin Medical Society put out this challenge, this ‘Hey, Healthcare Community in Wisconsin, we need to lead the way,” said Sexten.
At Agrace’s Fitchburg branch, 90% of employees were already vaccinated when they were told about the coming mandate. Since then, the number has increased to 95%
The mandate names Nov. 1 as the deadline for employees to get the vaccine, and while some employees have expressed skepticism, Sexten says she doesn’t anticipate a large loss of employees due to the mandate.
“We’re anticipating far less than even 1% of our staff are going to resign over this,” says Sexten.
Other local health officials have also announced similar mandates, like Group Health Cooperative.
“I salute everyone that has come up with a mandate,” said Mark Huth, CEO of the organization. “It’s really our place to be in a leadership position for really pushing vaccines.”
Sexten says that, overall, these mandates are for the greater good of patients and staff.
“I truly, truly believe that the vaccine is the best and safest way for us to get past this pandemic,” said Sexten.
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