News : VGH Legacy Honoree Recipient - Dean Luze

Dean Luze understands what is meant by community. Who would have guessed a pandemic would occur and everyday resources would come to a halt. The hospital and all of the community all of a sudden was in great need of numerous personal protection supplies that required coordination and skill.

Dean Luze was immediately aware and working to fill the gap, becoming the centralized contact person for the sewing of personal protection supplies. Dean was organized, kind and efficient. Talk about being organized, Dean took on control and contact of the seamstresses available to sew masks, gowns, headcovers and ear savers.

What most may not realize is, people came out of the woodwork who wanted to help, and there was a wide range of skill sets stepping up to be of service, numerous new self-taught sewers and many expert seamstresses. Dean being aware and kind, knowing people had a health need of being able to support, accepted all skill sets in the making of the items needed. He kept track of those who could sew and the skillsets for more complicated pieces and the numbers and types of personal protection items requested.

With this Dean also provided all the materials and templates needed in making all items requested. No matter the request, Dean stated I can do that, knowing that he also had to worry about keeping himself and staff safe and protected!

Note that Dean was also organizing the same for other health care entities in our community free or at a great discount. He didn't skip a beat, kept a positive attitude and more than he realizes became a mental health care provider of those in need.

In the end, Dean supplied over 800 masks, 50 gowns, 63 headcovers, and 50 button band ear savers for VGH. Heaven only knows how much more he did outside of VGH. Dean was a lifeline for our whole community during one of the most trying and scary times in our lives. He helped to carry us all through.

It is with gratitude and honor that we name Dean Luze in the first class of Legacy Honors.