Hospitals treat victims from Texas, Ohio shootings
Hospitals treated dozens of victims from mass shootings this weekend at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, and hours later in downtown Dayton, Ohio, which together killed at least 31 people.
At least 13 patients were being treated Saturday at University Medical Center of El Paso, the region’s only Level 1 trauma center, two of whom were transported to El Paso Children’s Hospital.
“This is a terrible tragedy and we are doing everything possible to treat and care for the victims and assist their families,” said UMC President and CEO Jacob Cintron. “Our hearts go out to all the victims of this terrible incident and we will continue to provide the best possible care in hopes of a quick recovery for all.”
Del Sol Medical Center in El Paso, part of HCA Healthcare, also treated at least 11 patients from the shooting, according to news reports.
“I am incredibly grateful to the physicians, nurses and staff here in El Paso who have worked tirelessly to care for the victims and their families this weekend,” David Shimp, CEO of Del Sol Medical Center, said in a statement.
In Ohio, Kettering Health Network’s Grandview Medical Center, Kettering Medical Center and Soin Medical Center in Beaver Creek treated a total of 14 patients from the Dayton shooting, six of whom remained hospitalized today in good or fair condition, said Elizabeth Long, media and public relations manager for the health network. Premier Health hospitals, including Dayton’s Miami Valley Hospital, also treated about 18 patients, according to news reports.
In a statement, AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack said, “Our nation is once again mourning innocent lives lost to the tragedy of mass violence. We grieve with the families of the victims and express our condolences to the communities of El Paso and Dayton. “Hate and violence have no place in our society. And respect for diversity must be a core value for our nation and viewed as a strength for our society. While we are devastated by this weekend’s events, we can be encouraged by the number of our fellow citizens who came together to help one another in El Paso and Dayton. The role of hospitals and health systems in times of tragedy is clear: respond, care and be a force for good. We thank all the law enforcement community, and other first responders, caregivers, physicians and nurses for their efforts to save and protect lives. In the middle of chaos and during tragic times, they stand as beacons of hope and an inspiration to all — always ready to respond, care and help their communities heal. Like our nation, hospitals and health systems are increasingly looking for new ways to address the wave of violence that we are seeing. As with any other public health challenge, we will remain an engaged partner in both caring for and keeping our communities safe.”