Heritage Green P-J file photo

Heritage Ministries has requested assistance from the National Guard, CEO and President Lisa Haglund said Friday.

The request is to assist employees at its skilled nursing communities in Chautauqua County, she said.

“The pandemic has presented so many challenges for the health care community, and we continue to explore additional opportunities to support our employees,” she said. “While our staffing ratios have remained higher than many health care organizations nationally throughout the pandemic, this week, at our request, members of the National Guard will begin to arrive at our rehabilitation and skilled nursing communities in Chautauqua County as a part of Gov. Hochul and New York state’s on-going commitment and pledge to assist our healthcare community in our time of need. We welcome the National Guard soldiers, their passion to serve, and their support with open arms as we all work together to provide for our beloved residents, as we have for over 135 years.”

Haglund said National Guard service men and women will provide “much-needed temporary assistance and relief” to Heritage employees who have “heroically and tirelessly led the way since March 2020 for the organization.”

She added, “I cannot begin to thank our valued employees enough for all they have done, and continue to do. Again, and again, they rise to the occasion, offering help whenever, and wherever, it is needed, despite constant challenges, including ever-changing regulations, vaccine mandates, and staffing obstacles, always placing the care of our residents as their top priority. They truly are the reason we continue to remain #HeritageStrong.”

While at Heritage, the National Guard members will work alongside Heritage staff to support staff and residents in various roles.