Newsroom

The online newsroom provides quick access to the latest news about COVID-19 from Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare.

Our Recommendations

The power to control the spread is in your hands. Read More >

Coronavirus Testing

Learn about testing for COVID-19. Read More >

Ways to Help

How to donate masks and support our team during this crisis. Read More >

Visitor Policy

Learn about our visitor policy and closures. Read More >

Virtual Services

Explore new virtual services now available at TMH. Read More >

Statements & Releases

News Releases

Our COVID-19 Recommendations, April 7, 2020

Statements

TMH Opens Dedicated COVID-19 Unit - April 24, 2020

At Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, we remain focused on keeping our patients, colleagues and community safe throughout this COVID-19 pandemic. Today, we opened a dedicated COVID-19 unit in a former adult intensive care unit located in the Main Hospital. This dedicated COVID-19 unit is negative airflow and features 20 beds that can transition between medical and intensive care based on the needs of each patient. If needed, eight additional beds are available for the expansion of the unit into an adjacent vacant patient care area. Only COVID-19 positive adult patients will be cared for in this unit.

COVID-19 Projections Update - April 21, 2020

Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare(TMH) has extensively explored and reviewed various models designed to project the spread of coronavirus in our region. The University of Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 Hospital Impact Model for Epidemics (CHIME) allowed us to focus on the Big Bend region and develop local projections for our community. The CHIME model has been helpful in preparing our organization for worst case scenarios. However, the spread of coronavirus in our region has not met the projections from this model to date. Models cannot account for all variables. We continue to review other models and are still learning about the impact of social distancing, population density and the effects of heat and humidity on the spread of coronavirus. Our leadership team is utilizing a variety of tools, which include current trends in our region and case studies from other communities, to help our organization maintain a broad approach to this pandemic. We remain focused on keeping TMH and our community as prepared as possible in the fight against COVID-19.

Economic Impact - April 14, 2020

Since the beginning of this COVID-19 pandemic, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) has had a goal of preserving our bed capacity and personal protective equipment (PPE) by delaying elective and non-emergent surgeries, procedures and office visits. On March 20th, Governor DeSantis issued an order which banned all elective and non-emergent procedures which resulted in a further reduction in cases.

TMH has not been spared from the economic impact of the pandemic. The Governor’s order to cease elective cases together with the community sheltering in place has resulted in a significant drop in activity throughout the hospital. This reduction in volume has an obvious impact on collections in the coming months which we expect to be down as much as 40% from normal monthly results.

To help mitigate this loss, our Executive Team is taking proactive steps to reduce our expenses. We have eliminated all travel, reduced construction and other special projects, and are closely monitoring the purchases of drugs and supplies. We are closely evaluating the hiring of all vacant positions.

To further reduce expenses, our leadership team is taking pay cuts. Mark O’Bryant, our President & CEO, has elected to take a 20% compensation decrease, while our vice presidents will have a 15% reduction and service line administrators and executive directors will have a 10% reduction through the duration of this pandemic.

Mask Donation Request - April 14, 2020

As the impact of COVID-19 continues to develop daily, TMH is working diligently to care for our patients and colleagues. While we are facing unprecedented times, we are immensely grateful for the support we have received from our community.

Our neighbors from across the Big Bend region have asked how they can continue to help. Given the most updated mask guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and limited resources to address this situation, home-sewn cloth face masks are still needed at this time.

At TMH, home-sewn cloth face masks are being distributed to all colleagues in non-COVID-19 related departments; these masks will not be used for the care of suspected or positive COVID-19 patients.

All donations of hand-sewn masks and commercial PPE are both welcomed and encouraged. Donations can be dropped off or shipped to:

TMH Marketing & Communications – 1308 Hodges Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32308
TMH Foundation – 1331 East 6th Avenue, Tallahassee, FL 32303

For more information, including specific home-sewn face mask instructions and a list of requested PPE products, click here.

Resources

Articles

How to Manage Stress & Anxiety During COVID-19

Guides

Interviews

Don't Delay Care Interview - Wave 94.1 FM
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a serious public health crisis that has captured the world's attention. Because of the constant refrain, “Only leave your home for essential reasons,” many people are scared to go to their healthcare providers and emergency rooms. Dr. Tracy Graham, Assistant Medical Director at the Bixler Trauma & Emergency Center talks with Doug Apple from WAVE 94.1 about COVID-19 and why patients should never delay necessary healthcare, especially in the event of an emergency such as a heart attack, stroke or traumatic injury.

Listen to Interview

Social Media Graphics

Videos

Mark O'Bryant Answers COVID-19 Questions - April 24, 2020

Keeping our community well-informed is key to helping slow the spread of COVID-19. We know you have questions, and we have answers. We sat down again today with our President & CEO Mark O'Bryant to address your most frequently asked questions from this week.

Take five minutes with us to hear Mark's answers to the below:

When will TMH resume elective surgeries?
Is TMH still using the CHIME model?
How many COVID-19 patients is TMH actually caring for?
How high is the hospital census right now?
What different COVID-19 tests is TMH using?
Is TMH hiring right now?

Download Transcript

You can continue to stay up to date on all TMH COVID-19 news by visiting TMH.ORG/Coronavirus and following us on social media. As always, thank you for continuing to do your part to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Each and every one of us plays a vital role.

Mark O’Bryant Answers COVID-19 Questions - April 17, 2020

As our community continues to combat COVID-19, we know you have a lot of questions. We sat down with our President & CEO Mark O'Bryant to address your most frequently asked questions from the week, including:

Why do TMH's projections differ from other local & national projections?
If we've been social distancing for almost a month, why is the peak expected to hit in mid-May or June?
Why is the hospital in need of PPE donations if TMH only has a few COVID-19 positive patients in the hospital?
I need emergency or chronic care but I'm afraid I'll catch COVID-19 by coming to the hospital - what should I do?
With visitation restricted at the hospital, how is TMH helping patients & loved ones stay in touch?