from Ed Ness, President and CEO, Munson Healthcare
This message finds us on the other side of one of the most difficult times in the history of Munson Healthcare.
As you know by now, a little before 5 pm on July 26, the first calls started coming in: A violent incident had occurred at the Traverse City Walmart, just a few miles away from Munson Medical Center (MMC). Multiple injuries were reported and ambulances were just a few minutes out.
Immediately, an entire healthcare system mobilized. The MMC ER began prepping for an influx of patients. ORs were opened in record time. Patients were quickly transported to their departments to open up space for the wounded. Logistics teams delivered emergency supplies. Social services comforted families. And from throughout northern Michigan, we started receiving phone calls from doctors and staff asking: How can I help? Do you need me to come in? What can I do?
In short, Munson Healthcare was called upon in a time of tragedy, and when seconds counted, the team rose to the occasion.
I am humbled and in awe of the response of everyone who stepped up, including our MMC Trauma team, our surgeons, the ED and OR teams, our critical care nurses, the providers and nurses on every floor who delivered patient care, lab, radiology, phlebotomy, case management, the environmental services teams who turned over rooms to accommodate patients, and everyone around the system who volunteered extra time, stayed late, came in early, and worked to ensure that every patient was cared for in an extremely trying and taxing time. This was a multidisciplinary team effort across the continuum of care.
I am humbled not only to work alongside so many exceptional professionals at Munson Healthcare but within a community of people so supportive and committed to one another. We are grateful for the close collaboration extended by Grand Traverse County Sheriff, Mike Shea, partners in Emergency Medical Services, as well as our elected officials. We cannot begin to express our appreciation for the words of hope and encouragement in support of these patients and our healthcare team.
The weeks and months ahead will be a time of healing for our community but especially for those who were directly impacted. We ask that you give them grace as they process such a traumatic event. We encourage anyone experiencing a mental health crisis to reach out and utilize available resources including:
- The Grand Traverse Mental Health Crisis and Access Center open 24/7 at 410 Brook Street (on the Munson Medical Center Campus), (231) 213-1050.
- Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Authority Crisis Line available 24/7 at 833-295-0616.
- Michigan Crisis Text Line (Text “RESTORE” to 741741) available 24/7 for anyone experiencing emotional stress and anxiety but is more comfortable texting than talking.
Even though events such as these have become far too familiar in our culture, it is nevertheless difficult to accept that something like this could happen in a community that I have called home for twenty-six years. Fred Rogers once spoke about troubling things he would sometimes see on the news as a child and the comforting words his mother would share, “Look for the helpers, you will always find people that are helping.” Maybe we too can find comfort in all those who, during this unimaginable crisis, stepped in to help with such courage and selflessness.
For now, we move forward, together, grateful for the lives saved and comforted by the acts of heroism and compassion of our neighbors. In time, we will come to know how this, like all adversity, has made us stronger and able to look back with pride in the way our community rose to meet this moment.