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NYC Hospital's Entire Staff Surprised With Free Vacations For Their Efforts During Coronavirus Pandemic

May 10, 2020

4,000 hospital employees are getting free round-trip tickets to the destination of their choice and a free three-night stay in that location.

Staff at NYC Health / American Airlines

American Airlines and Hyatt have teamed up to show their appreciation to one of the hospitals hardest hit by COVID-19 in the U.S.

More than 4,000 hospital staff -- including doctors, physician assistants, nurses, and facilities and food service teams -- at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst were surprised with roundtrip flights on American Airlines to Hyatt hotels in select destinations across the U.S. and Caribbean.

"We are extremely grateful to Hyatt and American Airlines for this generous gift to our health care workers, who have been at the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Israel Rocha, Vice President of NYC Health + Hospitals and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst. "Our doctors, nurses, and other staff on the front lines of this unprecedented health care crisis really appreciate the outpouring of support from two of America's major companies, and we look forward to taking advantage of these well-earned vacations in the near future."

NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst serves an area of nearly one million people in one of the most socio-economically diverse communities in the U.S. The hospital is among some of the hardest-hit in a city severely affected by COVID-19. In response to the crisis, the hospital quickly scaled to increase Intensive Care Units (ICU) capacity by 500%.

"We've heard from so many of our colleagues and members who simply want to do some good and find a way to share their gratitude for some of the heroes of this pandemic in one of the hardest-hit areas of New York," said Mark Hoplamazian, president and CEO of Hyatt. "We are humbled by the health care workers' dedication to saving lives. Now it's our turn to take care of them like members of our own family, and we look forward to making their stays special when they are able to take a hard-earned break."

"Every worker at Elmhurst has seen and experienced challenges many of us cannot imagine. They've given so much of themselves and chose to serve their community with care, compassion and equity for every patient," said Robert Isom, President of American Airlines. "When they are able to take a break, we hope the time away will help them and their loved ones recharge and that they feel our deepest appreciation for their sacrifice and heroism."