Last year, as they do every year, Maryland's hospitals changed people's lives.

 

You provided 5.7 million outpatient services, tended to 2.1 million emergency department visits and brought more than 67,000 babies into the world.

 

But those are just numbers.

 

From a 30,000-foot view, these seem like grand statistics, along with the impressive gains in quality and cost reduction made in the first year under a new Medicare waiver. That news made lots of headlines recently, but you know hospitals aren't really about Medicare savings or per capita spending trends.

 

So do the individuals whose lives you touch daily.

 

To them, hospitals are so much more than numbers on spreadsheets. These are the women and men who come to you when they are at their most vulnerable or their most joyous, when they are looking for a glimmer of hope from the depths of the abyss or looking toward the future with bright anticipation and open possibilities.

 

And you are there for them - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The nurses, doctors, pharmacists, janitors, therapists, accountants, executives and others who follow their calling to work for a hospital think differently about sick days, and bad weather days and personal time off. They know how important it is that they be there for others - without fail and without hesitation.

 

So, as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday this year, I'm thankful for all the women and men who work in Maryland's hospitals to care for our communities. I'm thankful for you, the hospital leaders of Maryland, who juggle so much to ensure that the services we provide will never cease, and that our families, friends and neighbors will be well cared for. I'm thankful for the families and friends of hospital workers, without whose support their commitment would not be possible.

 

And I'm thankful for the trust you've placed in us to afford us the privilege to serve you, through your MHA, to help hospitals help people.

 

Have a happy holiday!