BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — An ER Doctor for 17 years, Dr. Don Miller had been treating COVID-19 patients for months. He was was diagnosed with the virus in the beginning of December, and passed away Monday after battling the deadly virus for weeks. 

Facility Medical Director of the Emergency Room, Dr. William Moss, worked closely with Miller and says his death has hit home for many at the hospital.“Its been a very difficult time for a lot of our staff, myself and just a shock to lose someone to disease thats so unpredictable. You know the sadness we have here is muted by the fact that we don’t have to go through what the Miller’s are going through at this point. It’s very sad, we’re all trying to get through and push through, but we’re all human though,” Moss said. 

The hospital is still grieving the loss of Dr. Rebecca Shadowen who lost her battle with COVID-19 in September. The hospital has not confirmed that Miller contracted the virus from the hospital — Moss says it is very likely, because it only takes an instance to be infected.

“It just takes a second, just a moment to get in the wrong position, to get around someone who’s sick and not wearing a mask, who’s not staying apart from you to get it so we do try very hard in the emergency room to not have that contact,” Moss said. 

Med Center has received enough vaccines to immunize all of their employees, including the ER, the ICU, respiratory therapist and all other frontline workers. Miller was just two weeks away from receiving his vaccination.

Moss says only a fraction of the U.S. population is getting vaccinated and it is still imperative to wear a mask and do your civic duty to keep everyone safe.

“If you haven’t been immunized or not taken the vaccine or had the disease, you really need to continue to wear the mask, because you can spread to someone else like it was spread to Dr. Miller,” Moss said.

The hospital continues to send their condolences and keeps the Miller family in their prayers as they continue into the holiday season.