As this difficult, stressful year comes to a close, we are very hopeful for a brighter 2021 together.

In the face of unimaginable challenges, we can be proud of the strength and resolve of our residents, employees and families across our family of communities.

At this time, we are being extremely deliberate in our planning as we prepare to implement a measured and practical COVID-19 vaccine plan for our communities.

We have been studying closely the several, highly effective vaccines that will become available to us soon, and we are fully confident in the processes in which these vaccines were developed and tested. We have remained engaged with the broader medical community to evaluate these vaccines, and we are seeing widespread acceptance among our sources. Moreover, we believe strongly universal inoculation across our communities is in the best interest of our residents and staff, and it will enable a “return to normal” as quickly and as safely as possible.

As a result, we are currently preparing policies and processes to facilitate the distribution of a vaccine as soon as it is available to us. We believe all members of the WEL family need to be vaccinated. To do otherwise is irresponsibly putting ourselves and each other needlessly at risk.

We are currently in coordination with county officials from across our region as well as our designated vaccine distribution partner, CVS, to begin developing an orderly roll out within our communities, for this critically important effort.

As an organization, we always have been – and always will be – driven by our mission to make a compelling difference in the lives of our residents through excellence and innovation. Protecting our community members through these safe and effective vaccines aligns with this mission.

We will continue to keep you informed as more of the plans are finalized. In the meantime, we urge you to continue to be diligent and to follow all the mitigation actions we can to limit potential exposure COVID-19. We see a light at the end of this tunnel, but we must remain patient.

Please stay well, and be smart, safe and supportive of each other through this holiday season.

In good health,

Jeff A. Petty