Hundreds of lights and sirens permeated the rainy early evening Monday night in two cities across Northwest Indiana, as first responders paraded the campuses of Franciscan Health Crown Point and Franciscan Health Hammond to honor healthcare workers during the recent pandemic.
Hammond and Munster police and fire, and Indiana State Police, among others, were a force of show as they encircled Franciscan Health Hammond while healthcare staff cheered back, waving their own signs of appreciation in solidarity with all those working the front lines.
“It was an extraordinary event to witness and we’re extremely grateful to all that participated and helped to organize the event. It was a great demonstration of the mutual respect and love that exists between our colleagues at the hospital and the first responders in and around the communities we’re privileged to serve,” said Sean Leahy, vice president of operations at Franciscan Health Dyer/Hammond/Munster.
In Crown Point, Mayor Dave Uran visited the Franciscan Health Crown Point campus after a half-hour parade of emergency response vehicles circled the hospital. He proclaimed on behalf of the city that April 27, 2020 is Healthcare Professionals Recognition Day, to the humble pleasure of hospital staff and leadership.
“What you all presented to us tonight is just absolutely fantastic,” said Dr. Daniel McCormick, Franciscan Health Crown Point President and CEO. “Quite frankly, we weren’t really expecting it. We knew something was going to happen but what you put together is frankly just awesome, and I know we all greatly appreciate it. We have been working very hard over the past few weeks but everyone in that building, and everybody out in this parking lot has been working a check of a lot more than myself and everybody else, and we just greatly appreciate it.”
Crown Point Fire Chief Dave Crane said Ryan Kennedy with the Lake Dalecarlia Fire Department spearheaded the effort, which included rigs from multiple counties and agencies, including Crown Point fire and police, Indiana State Police, Northwest Ambulance Service, Newton County EMS, Lake of the Four Seasons Fire Department, Cedar Lake Fire Department, Lowell Fire and Rescue, Schneider Fire Department, Merrillville Fire Department, Schererville Fire Department, Shelby Volunteer Fire Department, Crown Point Emergency Management Association, Winfield Police, and Tri-Creek EMS, among others.
Uran closed the event recognizing the work that all frontline staff have accomplished.
“To the healthcare professionals and the City of Crown point, and the first responders - it’s a team effort. Thank you for all your efforts making our communities safe throughout Northwest Indiana, the State of Indiana, and the United States of America,” he said. “With your help we are flattening the curve and we’re making sure what they’re doing over here, and what you’re doing out there - everyone gets to go home safely. We’ll get through this together because of the hard work and efforts of the men and women here today. Thank you very much.”
