On Wednesday, May 13, a procession of first responder vehicles from the Long Beach Fire and Police Departments paraded through the campus of MemorialCare’s Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach and Long Beach Medical Center. The two hospitals share one campus, uniquely positioning the hospitals to provide specialized care throughout the COVID-19 pandemic for patients of all ages, from newborns to older adults.
“Long Beach is such a strong, incredible community, and that strength comes from our ability to support one another,” says John Bishop, CEO, MemorialCare’s Miller Children’s & Women’s and Long Beach Medical Center. “We’re so grateful today for the show of support our city’s Fire and Police Departments gave us and always give us, but more importantly we wanted express our gratitude for the incredible partnership they have given us throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Through our collaboration, each day we’re able to provide critical, and often lifesaving, health care to those who need it most in our community – and that care starts with our first responders.”
The show of support recognized frontline hospital workers in honor of National Hospital Week. In turn, medical center employees held signs and posters thanking the Long Beach Fire and Police Departments for their work as first responders in the greater Long Beach community.
“While today was a celebration, it also gave us an opportunity to show our community that we’re here for them,” says Ike Mmeje, COO, MemorialCare’s Miller Children’s & Women’s and Long Beach Medical Center. “COVID-19 has changed a lot, but the bottom line hasn’t changed. When a medical emergency strikes, it’s important for people to call 911. It’s safe for everyone to go to the hospital. Hospitals and first responders are trained to help people safely and quickly, even during a pandemic.”
Miller Children's & Women's employees hold signs thanking the Long Beach Fire Department for their essential work as first responders during the COVID-19 pandemic