Anonymous donor gives California hospital workers $1M

An anonymous donor has given $1 million designated for employees to a hospital in Santa Cruz, Calif., officials confirmed on Monday.

“Thank you for standing up [and staying up!] to care for our community. This humankindness is what makes you heroic,” the donor said in a letter accompanying the donation to Dominican Hospital employees.

The donation, which was made through the Dominican Hospital Foundation, will be dispersed entirely to hospital employees.

“We cannot adequately express the depth of our gratitude for this gracious, selfless gift,” Dominican Hospital President Nanette Mickiewicz said in the hospital’s statement.

“We are incredibly proud of the work our hospital family is doing in the face of such an unprecedented situation. This generous donation is a testament to their clinical excellence, their tireless dedication and, most of all, their profound humanity,” she added.

The benefactor is a Santa Cruz County resident and “longtime” supporter of the hospital who wishes to remain anonymous, the hospital said.

The Associated Press first reported the donation.

The gift will go toward bonuses for employees who have been at Dominican Hospital for at least a year, including for nurses, cleaning staff, lab technicians, mailroom staff and security guards. Full-time staff will get $800 bonus checks and part-time staff will receive $600 checks, the AP reports. 

Nursing supervisor Amy Loudon told the news service she was amazed at the generosity of a stranger. 

“There are so many people who keep the hospital running. Nurses and doctors are getting the praise, but we couldn’t do it without the staff who clean the floors, deliver supplies, fix machines, everything. It’s a team, and I’m glad the whole team is getting a thank you,” she told the AP. 

With her own bonus, Loudon said she’s “definitely going to spoil myself a little bit.” 

Hospital workers have been on the front lines of fighting the coronavirus pandemic which has infected more than 1 million people in the U.S and killed 67,686 people domestically, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. 

Statewide, California’s health department reported a total of 53,616 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 2,215 fatalities as of Sunday.

–Updated at 11:28 a.m.