It was almost exactly one year into the COVID-19 pandemic in Southern Louisiana, and, as if the stratospheric infection rates weren’t bad enough, along came word that Mardi Gras 2021 would have to be cancelled.
As it turns out, though, some things are easier to cancel than others.
For members of the Krewe of Muses, who had already prepared hundreds of their trademark hand-decorated shoes to hand out to the masses along the parade route, they decided to celebrate the season anyway – while also giving back to the community.
And so, with logistical help from St. Tammany Hospital Foundation, they paid a visit to St. Tammany Health System’s flagship St. Tammany Parish Hospital. There, they handed out the coveted throws as a salute to the dedication of the health system’s nurses.
Which, with Carnival season 2024 upon us, brings us to today’s installment in our 70 for 70 history series celebrating STHS’s upcoming 70th anniversary.
Installment No. 26: Muses’ shoeses
Today’s artifact: A six-inch high-heeled shoe decorated in silver glitter, a Purell logo and a working, hand-pump bottle of hand sanitizer, gifted by the Krewe of Muses to St. Tammany Health System President and CEO Joan Coffman.
Why it is significant: Well, for starters, it’s a Muses shoe, which, as any local resident can tell you, is always, always something to treasure.
Also, we can safely assert that it is the only such Purell shoe in the known universe.
Even more than all that, though, the February 2021 visit from Muses members stands as a glittering representation of the gratitude felt by the community toward healthcare workers during the pandemic’s darkest days.
There were donated meals. There were donated supplies. There were messages of support, thanks and awe.
There was gratitude, and lots of it. For the healthcare professionals at St. Tammany Health System – who were then enduring one of the most challenging chapters in their careers – it was a much-needed salve, simply to know their sweat and tears were appreciated.
In that regard, the bedazzled shoes distributed that February day in 2021 represent the unique relationship between St. Tammany Health System and the members of the Northshore community that willed the hospital into being 70 years ago.
Today, those shoes can still be found throughout the health system, on desktops, on bookshelves, at nursing stations.
As for that glittered Purell shoe? It has pride of place on a shelf in Coffman’s Covington office, right in her line of sight when she’s sitting at her desk – so she can see it and feel that gratitude every day.
Do you have a St. Tammany Parish Hospital story or item to share? We’d love to hear about it! Email us at CommDept@stph.org.
Next week – Installment No. 27: “Eat to Your Heart’s Content”
Last week – Installment No. 25: Beaming with pride