See below for a press release and video by the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association (VHHA), of “celebrities and prominent Virginians expressing their gratitude to health care workers and first responders in the Commonwealth.”
VHHA Releases Video of Celebrities, Prominent Virginians Thanking Frontline Hospital and Health Care Workers Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
Video Features Dozens of Noteworthy Virginians including Grammy Award-Winning Recording Artist Timbaland, Film and Television Actress and Producer Olivia Wilde, Comedian and Actor Patton Oswalt, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, NFL Hall of Famer Bruce Smith, NBA Champion Ben Wallace, NCAA Champion Basketball Coach from the University of Virginia Tony Bennett, Former Virginia Tech Football Coach Frank Beamer, Miss America 2020 Camille Schrier, and many more Thanking Health Care Heroes for their Dedication, Sacrifice, and Service Amid the Novel Coronavirus Outbreak
RICHMOND, VA – The Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association (VHHA) has released a video compilation of celebrities and prominent Virginians expressing their gratitude to health care workers and first responders in the Commonwealth. Hospital staff and frontline health care professionals are dedicated to their patients and invest long hours to provide medical care to people in need. That is true 24/7/365, and it is especially true now as the global community confronts the COVID-19 pandemic with health care providers serving as the first line of defense against this contagious disease. VHHA solicited “thank you” videos from celebrities and prominent Virginians that have been woven together into a compilation as a small token of appreciation for the critical work of health care professionals who keep us healthy and safe.
The video compilation is made possible by the generosity of celebrities and noteworthy Virginians who agreed to provide VHHA with videos of themselves thanking health care heroes for their dedicated service. On behalf of the Virginia hospital and health system community, VHHA extends its sincere thanks and gratitude to the individuals who voluntarily agreed to participate in the video: Grammy Award-winning recording artist Tim “Timbaland” Mosley; film and television actress and producer Olivia Wilde; comedian and actor Patton Oswalt; U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine; Virginia Governor Ralph Northam; NCAA Champion basketball coach Tony Bennett from the University of Virginia; NFL Hall of Famer Bruce Smith; NBA champion Ben Wallace; former Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer; former MLB All-Star David Wright; former Virginia Governors Terry McAuliffe (and former Virginia First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe), Bob McDonnell, Jim Gilmore (now serving as a U.S. Ambassador), and George Allen (a former U.S. Senator); ESPN SportsCenter anchor Jay Harris; Miss America 2020 Camille Schrier; former NASCAR drivers Elliott and Hermie Sadler; Jimmy Fortune and Don Reid of The Statler Brothers (a Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum-inducted group); best-selling author Adriana Trigiani; Virginia Senators Louise Lucas (the first African American woman to serve as Senate President Pro Tempore) and Tommy Norment (the Senate Minority Leader); Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn (the first woman and Jewish person to serve in that role) and House Minority Leader Todd Gilbert; Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander; Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney; Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer; Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Kincaid; Virginia Commonwealth University President Michael Rao; James Madison University President Jonathan Alger; Old Dominion University President John Broderick; William & Mary President Katherine Rowe; Virginia Tech basketball coach Mike Young; Chickahominy Tribe Chief Stephen Adkins; Fairfax City Councilmember So Lim; Richmond Flying Squirrels Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Todd “Parney” Parnell; Norfolk Tides General Manager Joe Gregory; Richmond Ambulance Authority Chief Executive Officer Chip Decker; and Richmond Flying Squirrels catcher Matt Winn.
“During these unprecedented times, people the world over recognize the invaluable service being provided by frontline health care professionals involved in the treatment and response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are grateful for their dedication to providing compassionate care to all patients in need,” said VHHA Vice President of Communications Julian Walker. “We are likewise deeply appreciative of all the celebrities and noteworthy Virginians who gave of their time and themselves to supply videos for inclusion in this ‘thank you’ compilation. We share this video with the hospital and health care community, the Commonwealth, and the world at large as a token of our appreciation for the health care professionals who help keep us safe.”
In addition to the participants who graciously volunteered their time to record videos thanking frontline health care workers, VHHA also extends its thanks to representatives from the organizations who helped make this video possible, including: Avisa Partners, Capital Results, Carilion Clinic, Celebrate Healthcare LLC, Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, William & Mary, James Madison University, Kirwin Strategies, McGuireWoods Consulting, the Miss America Organization, Mono Music Group/Mosley Music Group, the National Federation of Independent Business – Virginia, Old Dominion University, Richmond Raceway, the Secretary of the Commonwealth, the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech University, the Virginia Tourism Corporation, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Wythe County Community Hospital.
About VHHA: The Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association is an alliance of 110 hospitals and 27 health delivery systems that develops and advocates for sound health care policy in the Commonwealth. Its mission is to achieve excellence in both health care and health. Its vision is through the power of collaboration to be recognized as a driving force behind making Virginia the healthiest state in the nation. Connect with VHHA through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
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