PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Sentara Healthcare has confirmed it will be giving certain employees pay bonuses for working through the coronavirus pandemic.

A Sentara spokesman confirmed the news Wednesday night.

Eligible employees who work directly with patients in Sentara hospitals and ambulatory settings will receive $1,500. Other employees who are eligible and worked through the pandemic in other operational areas will receive $750.

“These are gifts of appreciation for what Sentara President & CEO Howard P. Kern described as their ‘compassion, integrity and skills’ and what they were able to accomplish during an extraordinarily difficult time serving our patients, our communities and each other,” the spokesman wrote in an email Wednesday.

In a ‘Message of Gratitude’ to employees on Wednesday, Kern wrote of his appreciation for their commitment and dedication over the past year.

“It is my hope that we can all go forward with a renewed sense of pride and confidence in yourself, your colleagues, and the honorable and vital work we do at Sentara to improve the health of our communities every day!” he said.

The bonuses will be distributed in employee paychecks on April 1.