CEO Diagnosed with COVID-19 Understands the Virus from Patient's Perspective
“Being diagnosed with COVID-19 gave me a better perspective on health and our extraordinary staff,” said Hector Hernandez, who is the CEO of Los Angeles Community Hospitals at LA, Norwalk and Bellflower.
On April 11, Hernandez started out the morning to celebrate his birthday, but knew he felt different. After taking his temperature, which was 100.4, he decided to get check out at the hospital, where he was diagnosed with COVID-19.
“I practiced all the recommendations from LA County Health and the CDC, but being out in the community, I found that I was not invincible and could still get the virus,” he said.
After self-quarantining, he returned to work May 4, where he was welcomed by his employees. "I’ve always appreciated our healthcare staff, but now I’m in total awe of them,” Hernandez said. “They are the real heroes.”
"Now that I’ve been exposed, I plan to give convalescent plasma soon to help future science in the fight of this or other virus," said Hernandez.
Hernandez added that he continues to do things to maintain health, such as hand-washing and eating healthy to build his immune system.