Hospital staff was surprised with free vacations for their work fighting the coronavirus

In the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic, doctors, nurses and other support staff at hospitals have emerged as our frontline heroes. Every day, they work tirelessly to care for patients sickened by the virus while risking their own lives.

Now, thousands of New York health care workers will get a free three-night vacation as a show of gratitude for their incredible sacrifice during this trying time.

The trips are a gift from American Airlines and Hyatt Hotels to more than 4,000 staff members at NYC Health and Hospitals/Elmhurst, including doctors, nurses, physicians assistants and food service workers. NYC Health and Hospitals/Elmhurst serves an area with nearly 1 million residents in New York — and the hospital scaled up to increase ICU capacity by 500% in response to the demands of COVID-19.

“Every worker at Elmhurst has seen and experienced challenges many of us cannot imagine,” Robert Isom, president of American Airlines, said in a statement. “They’ve given so much of themselves and chose to serve their community with care, compassion and equity for every patient. When they are able to take a break, we hope the time away will help them and their loved ones recharge and that they feel our deepest appreciation for their sacrifice and heroism.”

The trips include roundtrip flights on American Airlines to Hyatt Hotels in select destinations throughout the United States and the Caribbean. During their vacation, staff will have access to well-being experiences (think: spa day!), outdoor activities and “world-class food and beverage menus,” according to the press release.

For stays through June 30, 2021, Hyatt will also include healthcare workers around the world in its Hyatt Friends & Family Rate, which they can access at Hyatt.com or via their Global Contact Centers by using the special offer code THANKYOU and validating their status as healthcare workers.

“We are extremely grateful to Hyatt and American Airlines for this generous gift to our health care workers, who have been at the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Isreal Rocha, vice president of NYC Health and Hospitals and CEO of NYC Health and Hospitals/Elmhurst, said in a statement. “Our doctors, nurses and other staff on the front lines of this unprecedented health care crisis really appreciate the outpouring of support from two of America’s major companies, and we look forward to taking advantage of these well-earned vacations in the near future.”

What a nice way to say thank you to healthcare workers! They’ve certainly earned a vacation.