We are extremely fortunate amid these unprecedented times to have Joe Hurshe, President of Ascension Providence Hospital Novi and Southfield campus and Chief Operating Officer of Ascension Michigan, share a few minutes of his time with us. The hospital has long been one of Novi’s jewels and has been shining the brightest when we needed it most.
 
WHAT HAVE THESE LAST FEW MONTHS SHOWN YOU ABOUT YOUR ASCENSION TEAM?
The doctors, nurses and the entire care team and all support staff across our Ascension ministries and Ascension Providence Hospital are heroes. These skilled, compassionate people are called to do this work, even with the personal sacrifice that comes with it for the betterment of our greater Novi community.

HOW HAS THE COMMUNITY RALLIED AROUND THOSE WORKING IN THE HOSPITAL?
The community support we’ve been receiving at Ascension Providence Novi Hospital and throughout all Ascension Michigan has been amazing...from car parades by our entrances waving and providing encouragement, to food drop offs; thank you signs and cards and hundreds of other kind gestures. Please know that we see it, we feel it and it all makes a difference. Thank you and please keep it coming, along with your prayers.
 
WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING AT THE HOSPITAL DURING THIS UNPRECEDENTED TIME?
The health and safety of our patients, associates and visitors is always a top priority. Ascension Michigan and Ascension Providence Hospital Novi has been working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to monitor and ensure the best possible care for patients with potential or confirmed cases of COVID-19. Ascension instituted an incident command structure at the national, state and regional levels quite some time ago. Through established incident command centers and a robust emergency response plan, we work to ensure that we are instilling best available practices across our sites of care regarding medical care management in the midst of a global pandemic. Also, Ascension has taken proactive steps with our distributors and suppliers to ensure access to personal protective equipment and supplies. We arranged expedited shipments directly from manufacturers, assessed alternative products and took advantage of our abilities as a national system to make intra-hospital inventory transfers when appropriate. This has served us exceptionally well at Ascension Providence Hospital in Novi. Our hospitals, ambulatory sites of care and clinics have postponed non-urgent procedures and medical visits in order to protect patients, as well as to preserve staff, personal protective equipment and patient care supplies. These system-wide strategies are designed to help ensure patient and staff safety, while expanding available hospital capacity.
 
WHAT MEASURES CAN PEOPLE TAKE TO KEEP THEMSELVES SAFE, EASE THEIR FEARS?
We will get through this by working together to slow the transmission of COVID-19 and care for all those in need. I cannot stress enough the importance of following social distancing practices. Following our Governor’s stay at home stay safe executive order is the only way we can flatten the curve and ease the stress on our hospitals and care providers. All of us at Ascension Providence Hospital Novi thank you in advance for adhering to these directives during this most trying time.
 
HOW CAN PEOPLE BECOME BETTER EDUCATED ABOUT COVID-19?
It’s important to stay updated about the current situation from reliable sources. We continually update the ascension.org website with useful information and links directly to the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) website.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE COMES FROM THIS CRISIS?
First, it is my sincere hope that the actions of all health systems, and the safe practices of families throughout greater Novi and across the entire U.S. will assist in mitigating the loss of life due to this pandemic. That is foremost. Secondly, I hope that each of us becomes even more aware of our individual health status and the things we can do to follow a healthy path in life. Knowing your personal health risks (high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.) and working to reduce the factors that you have control over has always been a “best practice” and continues to be important - now more than ever. We at Ascension Providence Hospital Novi recognize that it is both our duty and responsibility during this time of need to care for the community with compassion. We are honored and privileged to be proud members of the great community of Novi and your trusted healthcare provider.