HCMC receives President’s Award for response to bridge collapse
Medical staff and other first responders rush to the scene of the I-35W bridge collapse on Aug. 1, 2007.
As the first responders to the scene of the Aug. 1 collapse of the I-35W bridge, police, firefighters, hospital workers and even citizens were heroes that undoubtedly saved lives that day.
Now, some of those heroes have been recognized with an award that has not been given since another tragedy: the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center.
The National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems (NAPH) recently honored the Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) with the President’s Award for its response to the bridge collapse. The award was last handed out in 2002 to the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation.
“As the closest Level 1 trauma center, Hennepin received most of the critical victims,” said Larry S. Gage, NAPH president, according to a release from HCMC. “Their rapid response to this tragedy underscores the essential role safety net hospitals play nationwide when disaster strikes.”
According to HCMC, the hospital’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Medical Resource Control Center ensured that a total of 29 ambulances responded to the scene. Despite being near capacity at the time, HCMC provided fully staffed operating rooms and intensive care rooms for 31 out of the 126 victims treated by Twin Cities hospitals. Eight of these patients arrived at HCMC in critical condition, and some stayed hospitalized for up to two months.
“From our paramedics, to our doctors and nurses and all of the people who support the care that they provide, our response on that night and in the days to follow was outstanding,” said Lynn Abrahamsen, the hospitals’ CEO. “After Aug. 1, 2007, we truly realized the value and significance of the time and resources we devoted to being prepared for emergencies.”
Hospital staff will mark the anniversary today by wearing blue ribbons at work. Hennepin Emergency Medical Services will participate in community events, and hospital staff will post memories near the commemorative exhibit, I-35W Bridge: Before and After, photographs taken by local artist Tom Lane showing the bridge before and after the disaster. The free exhibit, presented by Inspire Arts, is open every day from 8 a.m.–6 p.m. at HCMC, 730 S. Eighth St., through Oct. 3.
last revised: August 4, 2008