Chaplains Corner

January 2026

Honoring Our Unsung Heroes: Six Years On

This month marks six years since the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the United States. For many of us, that date feels both distant and very near—etched into memory not by a single moment, but by months and years of relentless change, loss, courage, and perseverance.

In the years that followed, this hospital, like so many others, became a place where quiet heroism unfolded every day. Nurses who stayed long after their shifts ended. Physicians who carried impossible decisions home with them. Environmental services staff who faithfully kept rooms safe in the face of uncertainty. Respiratory therapists, aides, security officers, food services, chaplains, social workers and countless others who showed up again and again when the world felt unsteady.

Many of these acts were never seen beyond a patient room or a hallway. Few were met with applause. And yet, they mattered profoundly.

As a chaplain, I witnessed not only the strength of skill and professionalism, but the deeper strength of compassion—care offered when exhaustion ran deep, presence given when answers were scarce. The pandemic took a real toll on our industry and on our lives. It asked more than anyone should reasonably have been expected to give. And still, people gave.

Today, we pause not only to remember what was endured, but to honor those who endured it.

We also acknowledge that not everyone reading this was here during that time. Some joined healthcare later. Some were still in training. Some were called into service afterward. If you ever wonder whether you would have had what it took—know this: when difficult times arrive, grace often arrives with them. Strength is not something we store up in advance; it is something we discover when we are needed.

Healthcare is, at its heart, a shared vocation. We stand on the faithfulness of those who came before us, and we carry forward that same spirit for those who will come after.

If you are able, take a moment today to thank someone whose quiet work has made a difference for you. A word of gratitude, a note, or even a simple smile can be a powerful reminder that none of this work is done alone.

And if you are weary, still carrying what these past years have left behind, know that the chaplaincy team is here for you. It is an honor to walk alongside this community.

May we continue to build a culture of care rooted in compassion, resilience, and hope.

I consider it a privilege to serve the patients, families and staff at San Antonio Regional Hospital. We are here to provide a supportive presence during what can often be the darkest hour of their lives. We encourage anyone, irrespective of their spiritual or religious affiliation, or lack thereof, who needs additional support while in our hospital to reach out to the Spiritual Care Department. You can contact the Spiritual Care Department by dialing “26326” from any hospital phone or by making a request through your nurse.

We look forward to serving you!

Blessings,

Rev. Alexander J. Aaron, M.Div, BCC
Staff Chaplain
Phone: 909.920.6326