|
|
|
A time to remember, reflect, and honor those who cared for tornado victims.
On Wednesday, Freeman Health System hosted a tribute to those who were injured or killed during the May 22 EF5 tornado. The event was held at 10:30 a.m. at Freeman West Hospital near the flagpoles.
“While thousands of structures were lost in the storm, even more heartbreaking is the number of people harmed or killed,” Freeman Health System president and CEO Gary Duncan told the audience. “We are here today to honor those individuals and to show our gratitude to the healthcare professionals from Freeman and other area hospitals who treated them. One can only imagine what Freeman doctors, nurses and support staff were thinking as they made their way to Freeman Hospital West in the early hours of May 22. Some just moments before were huddled with their families as the storm ripped apart their home. Some were out celebrating their child’s high school graduation, some rode with strangers in trucks and cars battered by the storm, picking up the wounded along the way. And, so many of them said, they knew that it would be bad, but they were not prepared for what they saw when they finally arrived at the hospital.”
According to Duncan, low estimates show that around 500 individuals were treated at Freeman in the first few hours after the storm.
“One by one, the wounded arrived on our doorstep battered and bloodied and in need of our help,” he said. “As we stand here today, one month after the storm, I want to acknowledge the tremendous work of Freeman doctors, nurses and support staff on May 22. There are no words to fully express what you did for our community. Each of them will say, ‘they deserve no special recognition.’ Each of them will say caring for our community is simply what we do. But I disagree with the simplicity of that statement. I say they gave their hearts and hands that night and I say they are heroes.”
In honor of their efforts, a banner was placed at Freeman West Hospital, saying “Taking care of Joplin with our hearts and hands.”
“We want this sign to serve as a reminder that in the face of devastation, in the face of the most horrific of circumstances, in the face of a situation more brutal than either the most seasoned physicians have ever imagined, Freeman clinical staff gave it everything they had,” Duncan said. “They showed up that night to do just more than their jobs, they helped to save this community. And I am proud of our employees as any leader could be.”
A time to remember, reflect, and honor those who cared for tornado victims.
On Wednesday, Freeman Health System hosted a tribute to those who were injured or killed during the May 22 EF5 tornado. The event was held at 10:30 a.m. at Freeman West Hospital near the flagpoles.
“While thousands of structures were lost in the storm, even more heartbreaking is the number of people harmed or killed,” Freeman Health System president and CEO Gary Duncan told the audience. “We are here today to honor those individuals and to show our gratitude to the healthcare professionals from Freeman and other area hospitals who treated them. One can only imagine what Freeman doctors, nurses and support staff were thinking as they made their way to Freeman Hospital West in the early hours of May 22. Some just moments before were huddled with their families as the storm ripped apart their home. Some were out celebrating their child’s high school graduation, some rode with strangers in trucks and cars battered by the storm, picking up the wounded along the way. And, so many of them said, they knew that it would be bad, but they were not prepared for what they saw when they finally arrived at the hospital.”
According to Duncan, low estimates show that around 500 individuals were treated at Freeman in the first few hours after the storm.
“One by one, the wounded arrived on our doorstep battered and bloodied and in need of our help,” he said. “As we stand here today, one month after the storm, I want to acknowledge the tremendous work of Freeman doctors, nurses and support staff on May 22. There are no words to fully express what you did for our community. Each of them will say, ‘they deserve no special recognition.’ Each of them will say caring for our community is simply what we do. But I disagree with the simplicity of that statement. I say they gave their hearts and hands that night and I say they are heroes.”
In honor of their efforts, a banner was placed at Freeman West Hospital, saying “Taking care of Joplin with our hearts and hands.”
“We want this sign to serve as a reminder that in the face of devastation, in the face of the most horrific of circumstances, in the face of a situation more brutal than either the most seasoned physicians have ever imagined, Freeman clinical staff gave it everything they had,” Duncan said. “They showed up that night to do just more than their jobs, they helped to save this community. And I am proud of our employees as any leader could be.”
Wednesday’s event also had Joplin Mayor Mike Woolston read a proclamation and Steve McIntosh read a letter from U.S. Senator Roy Blunt.
In addition, more than 500 flags were placed in the circular flowerbeds that run parallel to the front entrance of Freeman Hospital West. Each flag represents a patient treated at Freeman during the initial hours after the storm. Two of those flags represent 10-year-old Mason Lillard and 17-year-old Malachi Murdock. Lillard was impaled by a 1 1/2 inch-thick metal rod during the storm. Murdock suffered extensive head injuries and was in a coma for three days. Both were treated at Freeman.
The ceremony also included tree planting. One tree honored the healthcare workers and more than 100 private citizens who offered their service at Freeman West Hospital on May 22. The other tree is intended to honor Freeman employee Kathy Keling, who died during the storm, as well as the 448 employees who lost their homes or possessions. At Freeman East, two trees will be planted, one for their healthcare workers and the other for Shyrell Smith, the other member of the Freeman family who died in the tornado. A tree has also been planted at Freeman Neosho Hospital in honor of their staff who came to the aid of Joplin.
“These trees were intentionally selected because they are evergreen,” said Duncan. “Like Joplin’s hope for the future, their leaves will never die away. Each year on May 22, they will be lit in honor of those they represent. Each day, they will remind us of how tall we stood that night in the face of adversity.”
