Chicago Fire Department first responders rolled up in four trucks and stood outside Weiss Memorial Hospital on Saturday morning, saluting nurses and physicians working on the front line.
Dozens of Weiss staff members gathered outside the hospital entrance in the Uptown neighborhood, 4646 N. Marine Drive, almost brought to tears by the gesture. They clapped back in return.
“We should be saluting at them instead of them saluting us,” said Weiss ER Dr. Tam Thai. “But the bottom line here is that we are in this all together to save lives and save our community.”
Last week, the Weiss team sent over pizza to four of their neighboring fire stations to thank them for their work. “And I think that they loved those pizzas,” said hospital Director of Business Development Brenda Routson.
They wanted to return the favor, so they organized the parade Saturday morning, driving four fire trucks and two cars to the hospital to drop off Dinkel’s and Dunkin’ Donuts.
“Keep up the great work, we’re all working together, and at the end of the day we will get through this,” said Deputy District Chief John Giordano, as he stood with several other firefighters in front of the hospital.
Routson said the Weiss team is fortunate to have such a strong partnership with the city’s first responders.
“We so respect what they do, and they see the ER staff in action and respect what they do,” Routson said.
The parade was the first time many hospital staffers were able to go out in daylight, according to Director of Medical Education Teresa Tuohy, as most doctors arrive before sunrise and do not leave until after dark.
“Who knew this (the salute) was going to be so emotional,” said Tuohy, tearing up. “How can you not cry!”
Similar to hospitals across the city, Weiss is working to treat a large number of COVID-19 cases. On Friday, Weiss was one of the first hospitals in Chicago to receive a shipment of new GM-made ventilators to help address the influx of patients.
“It’s just a lot,” Tuohy said. As she spoke, another ambulance began to approach from the distance. “All I do is listen to sirens all day.”
Tuohy was grateful for the fairly calm Saturday morning, so ER workers were able to come outside and spend a little time to enjoy the recognition.
But, immediately after the trucks pulled away, the nurses and doctors went straight back to work.
“Just like always there is no ‘I’ in team,” Thai said. “We are all here together, and that’s why we’re gonna beat this.”
