Recognizing February 14, 2022 as Maternal Healthcare Provider Appreciation Day.

WHEREAS, The past two years have presented us with many challenges. Many Philadelphians have experienced sickness and the loss of loved ones. Many have also experienced economic insecurity, the likes we have not seen in decades; and

WHEREAS, Each new variant of the COVID-19 virus has brought with it increased uncertainty and a feeling that a “new normal,” and whatever it may entail, still remains unclear; and

WHEREAS, Nevertheless, all this change and uncertainty has not stopped babies from being born; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia maternal health care providers have worked tirelessly to care for pregnant and birthing people of Philadelphia, and have helped deliver 33,476 babies during the COVID-19 pandemic; and

WHEREAS, We specifically want to thank labor and delivery nurses, postpartum and antepartum nurses, OB-GYN residents and attending physicians, midwives, doulas, operating room staff, support staff, environmental services staff, and everyone else who supports maternity services in our city; and

WHERAS, we also want to acknowledge the role that Philadelphia’s birthing hospitals have played in ensuring safe labor and delivery at our city’s hospitals, including Einstein Medical Center, Temple University Hospital, Pennsylvania Hospital, Jefferson University Hospital, and Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, This year - on Valentine’s Day - we explicitly want to send a message of LOVE to our Maternal Healthcare Providers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby recognizes February 14, 2022 as Maternal Healthcare Provider Appreciation Day.

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