The head of one of the largest health systems in the Midwest said he has recovered from COVID-19 and is back at work — but he doesn't plan to wear a face mask in the office.
On Wednesday, Sanford Health President and CEO Kelby Krabbenhoft said in an email to employees that he believes he is immune to COVID-19 and is confident he will not spread the virus to anyone.
“The information, the science, the truth, the advice and the growing evidence is that I am immune for at least seven months and possibly years to come,” Krabbenhoft, who is not a doctor, wrote in an email.
“Wearing a mask defeats the effectiveness and purpose of the mask and sends a false message that I am susceptible to infection or could transmit it,” he added.
The comments prompted a sharp rebuke from her own organization, which quickly distanced itself from the CEO's views.
“Kelby Krabbenhoft's email was based on his own experience with COVID-19 and his personal views on the virus. They do not reflect the views of our health system as a whole,” the organization said in a statement shared on social media on Friday.
“Sanford Health's position is the same as it has always been – wearing a mask at all times, avoiding crowds and staying home if you are sick are vital to preventing the spread of the virus. It is important to follow CDC guidelines,” the statement said.
According to her Websitethe Sioux Falls, SD-based organization is “one of the largest health systems in the United States,” with 46 hospitals, more than 1,500 physicians and nearly 48,000 employees.
The vast majority of clinics are concentrated in Minnesota, Iowa and the Dakotas – which have seen the worst rates of coronavirus spread in the country in recent weeks.
On Friday, five top Sanford Health executives sent another email to employees in an attempt to avoid Krabbenhoft's statement, The Associated Press mentionted.
“We know that words matter and that words have power, and we are sorry that the message left many frustrated and disappointed,” the email read. “Whether you have had the virus or not, it is recommended to wear a mask when you cannot be socially distanced. Our policy for covering Sanford Health remains unchanged.”
The agency's executive vice president, Micah Aberson, said in a separate statement that Krabbenhoft's views “do not reflect the views of our health system as a whole.”
The position of the organization has not changed, he added. People should continue to follow CDC guidelines.
On Thursday, the 62-year-old health official told the South Dakota newspaper Argus Leader that Sanford Health's network of hospitals in the region cared for 1,400 patients, 390 of whom are hospitalized with COVID-19.
However, he expressed hope that the organization is well positioned to deal with a potential influx of patients.
“At this point, we think we have it under control,” he said. “There is no crisis”
