“As soon as that patient hit the doors of our emergency room, our people were gowned and gloved...and put that patient into isolation...got testing done, and we immediately found out that we had the first case of COVID-19 in the United States.”

Few Americans have been on the frontlines of this pandemic longer than Rod Hochman. Back in January, his team at Providence St.Joseph, Seattle, identified and treated the very first case of COVID-19 in the country.

It was the latest success in a career that has seen him become chair-elect designate for the American Hospital Association and CEO of Providence St. Joseph Health, a healthcare system of 51 hospitals across seven states.

In his conversation with Mike, Rod shares what he’s learned in his short—but significant—time fighting the virus, as well as the steps he’s taken to prepare facilities, protect caregivers, and contain cases to a level that has, thus far, been manageable.