Hyatt Hotels Corporation and American Airlines teamed up to reward thousands of healthcare professionals from NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst for their caring front line work. To show appreciation, both Hyatt and American Airlines are offering a complimentary three-night vacation, to help these heroes recharge and reconnect with their loved ones. This award can be used once they are able to take time for themselves.
Mark Hoplamazian, president and CEO, Hyatt said this plan is a way to show gratitude to some of the heroes of this pandemic in one of the hardest hit areas of New York. 'We are humbled by the healthcare workers’ dedication to saving lives. Now it’s our turn to take care of them like members of our own family, and we look forward to making their stays special when they are able to take a hard-earned break.”
NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst is a major provider of hospital and ambulatory care services in the borough of Queens. The 545-bed hospital is a Level 1 Trauma Center, an Emergency Heart Care Station, and a 911-Receiving Hospital. It is a premier health care organization for key specialties, including surgery, cardiology, women’s health, pediatrics, rehabilitation medicine, renal services, and mental health services. Last year, the hospital handled nearly 700,000 ambulatory care visits and its emergency medicine teams responded to more than 130,000 emergency room encounters.
These hospital workers serve an area of nearly one million people in one of the most socio-economically diverse communities in the U.S. In response to the crisis, the hospital quickly scaled to increase Intensive Care Units (ICU) capacity by 500%.
More than 4,000 doctors, physician assistants, nurses, food service teams, and staff members at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst will be treated to roundtrip flights on American Airlines to Hyatt hotels in select destinations across the U.S. and Caribbean.
“We are extremely grateful to Hyatt and American Airlines for this generous gift to our healthcare workers, who have been at the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Israel Rocha, Vice President of NYC Health + Hospitals and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst. “Our doctors, nurses, and other staff on the front lines of this unprecedented healthcare 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.'
These honored guests will be treated later this year to priority airfare from American Airlines to fly to a selected Hyatt destination. “Every worker at Elmhurst has seen and experienced challenges many of us cannot imagine. They’ve given so much of themselves and chose to serve their community with care, compassion and equity for every patient,” said Robert Isom, President of American Airlines. “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.”
These flights mark the largest total flight count ever provided to an organization by American. American Airlines is committed to caring for people and addressing the needs of different communities affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
In cooperation with its generous customers, American has raised more than $3 million to support the American Red Cross and its volunteers who are on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
American continues to operate cargo-only flights, transporting necessary supplies, including personal protective equipment, to the front lines of the COVID-19 effort. Supply kits have been delivered to The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston; and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennesseenals.
These cargo planes have also delivered care packages to military bases to be shared with troops who are quarantined after returning from deployment. More than 100 tons of food has been delivered to food banks across the country, and American team members at multiple locations, including Miami International Airport (MIA), Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA) and Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), are sewing masks for their coworkers and members of the community.
The airline also worked with the U.S. Department of State to operate 88 repatriation flights to bring more than 8,000 U.S. citizens home from abroad.
When American collected $1.2 million through UNICEF’s Change for Good program in 2019, they recently allocated $460,000 of those funds to support COVID-19 relief efforts in Latin America.
Loyalty programs’ members at both American and Hyatt helped with these awards. Many members have expressed an overwhelming desire to leverage their miles and points to support healthcare workers. These contributed points are helping these special guests fly, unwind and enjoy wellbeing experiences, food and beverages, and outdoor activities at Hyatt hotels.
If you are a World of Hyatt member and would like to contribute points to help support Hyatt’s commitment to healthcare workers go to Hyatt.com/thankyou. American Airlines AAdvantage members can learn more and donate miles at aa.com.
NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst staff will be the first of many that Hyatt hopes to welcome through its doors when it is safe to travel again. They will receive overwhelming support and gratitude from the entire Hyatt family.
For healthcare workers around the world who have risked their lives to show care to others, Hyatt is extending a special offer to include global healthcare workers in its Hyatt Friends & Family Rate for a much-needed rest with their loved ones soon. Qualified healthcare workers can access the special rate at Hyatt.com or via Global Contact Centers by including the Special Offer Code:THANKYOU, and validating their professional status. These guests will be able to enjoy stays through June 30, 2021.
