Sentara giving thousands in bonuses to workers on coronavirus frontlines

Norfolk — Sentara Healthcare says it will give bonuses of $1,000 and $2,000 to workers who have been on the front line of the coronavirus pandemic.

Those receiving the higher of the two amounts include staff working directly with patients in the hospitals, medical group offices, ambulatory clinics, home health, medical transport and PACE clinics, a Medicare and Medicaid program that serves elderly people.

The extra pay comes as the health care industry reels from increasing levels of burnout, low morale and staff shortages. The COVID-19 crisis continues to sicken and kill more people every day. The delta variant, a more contagious strain of the virus, drove up caseloads over the past couple of months, crowding hospitals and prolonging wait times for patients.

The bonuses will go to nearly all employees — about 98.5% of staff, hospital system representatives said Monday. Sentara runs 12 hospitals, including seven in Hampton Roads.

President and CEO Howard Kern sent a message to employees Monday, announcing the bonuses as a token of appreciation. He acknowledged they’re dealing with new challenges, which have required creative solutions and “managing extremely high volumes in most of our hospitals and ambulatory sites of care.”

“Some of these challenges were reminiscent of the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. New challenges presented us with the management of vaccinations, the Delta variant of the virus and a resurgence of patient activity in our care facilities reacting to the limited services available in 2020,” he wrote.

Last spring, Sentara gave an extra $750 or $1,500 to employees to show appreciation for their work.

Elisha Sauers, 757-839-4754, elisha.sauers@pilotonline.com