LEWES, Del. - President and CEO of Beebe Healthcare, Dr. David Tam is celebrating his one year anniversary with the healthcare system. On March 17, 2020 Dr. David Tam jumped right into his new position during a global pandemic. Dr. Tam actually started early, as he wasn’t supposed to begin working until April 2020.
His cross-country drive to vacation, and preview his new home, Lewes, for a few days, turned into a permanent stay.
“Change,” is the one word he used to describe this past year.
There were many downs, like the loss of life caused by COVID-19 and seeing a disparity in equity of care.
But there were ups, like the sense of community he says he feels here in the first state, that he says is not something you always see in other parts of the country.
Beebe Healthcare
“I joked around about how I couldn't find toilet paper in the stores, you know how there was no toilet paper anywhere? Well, the next day I walked into my office and on the conference table was a 12 pack of toilet paper and it said, “Dr. Tam this way you can do your business at home and not at the hospital,” he said.
Dr. Tam says he feels accomplished for transitioning into a new job in a pandemic, but is more proud of his team— his Beebe family’s—testing and vaccination efforts.
When asked what would he say to his past self, he replied, “Dr. Tam today in 2021 would say to the Dr. Tam then, that it's going to be all right,” as he tried to hold back tears. “It's going to be OK, you're going to be OK. I didn't have anyone with me and my wife wasn't with me, I didn't know anybody and it was scary. I admit it and yet I wish I could tell him now that it's going to be OK. everybody's going to be supportive of you, and the community is going to need you, and you're going to be able to do great things with the organization,” Dr. Tam said.
David Tam/Facebook
First responders thanking healthcare workers at Beebe, and seeing Beebe’s first patient with COVID-19 leaving the hospital after being in the ICU for days, were some of his favorite memories.
“One word that I would say now that you ask is "gratitude." To be thankful to everybody and thankful for the community, thankful to the team, and I'm just gonna say it. It's not Valentine's Day anymore, but grateful to my wife, my family, who have supported me during really, I think, was the toughest year of my personal life, and they stood by me and they supported me. So thank you, Rebecca, for helping me.”
Dr. Tam says he owes much of his success to everyone who works in the organization. He tells us more greatness is coming to Beebe Healthcare.
