A federal civilian Disaster Medical Assistance Team arrives at Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital to support the doctors and nurses overwhelmed by the surge in COVID-19 patients.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
WYANDOTTE – A civilian Disaster Medical Assistance Team arrived at Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital Jan. 7 to provide critical relief for the doctors and nurses stressed and overwhelmed by the pandemic surge.
The 30-member team includes advanced practice physicians, emergency department and intensive care unit nurses, paramedics, pharmacists and logistic and supply chain personnel.
The hospital is the fifth in Michigan to receive a federal team. The other four Michigan hospitals receiving federal teams include Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn; Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids; Covenant HealthCare in Saginaw; and Mercy Health in Muskegon.
Bob Riney, Henry Ford Health System president of healthcare operations and chief operating officer, said the support and relief is much-needed by the Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital team.
“The resiliency and determination of our team members throughout the pandemic have been awe-inspiring, but our team members are battle wearied and drained emotionally, mentally and physically,” he said. “This support couldn’t have come at a better time for us, as well as the Downriver communities we serve.”
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Elizabeth Hertel said the pandemic continues to take a tremendous toll on health care workers.
“As the Omicron variant is quickly spreading and case rates and hospitalizations in our state are accelerating, I am grateful to our federal partners for continuing to provide much-needed relief to Michigan’s hospitals and health care personnel,” she said.
“We are pleading with all Michiganders to do their part to support our state’s health care workers by getting vaccinated, wearing a mask in public indoor settings regardless of vaccination status, social distancing and staying home and getting tested regularly.”
U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-12th District) said the additional health care personnel will help the medical staff address the rise in COVID-19 cases.
“Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital desperately needs support and resources to provide the critical care that our neighbors deserve,” she said. “I have heard from members of the community and providers on a daily basis about a system strained to the breaking point, and now they will get the help they need.”
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she is grateful for the federal government’s response in providing critically needed personnel during the Omicron surge.
“We have been facing this deadly virus for nearly two years, and our health care workers have been working tirelessly on the front lines through it all,” she said. “Every Michigander can take action right now to protect themselves and their loved ones, and help our hospital and health care workers do their jobs.
“I urge Michiganders to get their safe, effective vaccine, their booster shot, and take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including testing and masking.”