MediSys Health Network held a special ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of 9/11 at the Jamaica Hospital Nursing Home, in which the organization honored its 16 remaining employees who served as first responders on that fateful day.
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
The health network, which includes the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and Flushing Hospital Medical Center, deployed seven ambulances, two mobile clinics and numerous support vehicles to Ground Zero in New York City on 9/11. In total, approximately 123 Emergency Medical Technicians, paramedics, physicians, mental health practitioners and other healthcare support staff from MediSys Health Network reported to the scene. This included the 16 employees who still work in Jamaica and Flushing today.
Lisa Freitag (right) was one of the first responders who still works for MediSys Health Network today. Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Several of the 123 MediSys Health Network employees sustained injuries while providing medical assistance on the day of the terrorist attacks. Additionally, one of the ambulances was crushed beneath a collapsing tower.
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
The response team remained at Ground Zero until Sept. 15, 2001, reflecting their motivation by a sense of duty and commitment to serve New York City and those affected by the attacks,
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
With the events of 9/11 also causing lasting psychological effects on witnesses, MediSys Health Network’s Department of Psychiatry provided ongoing mental health support for over a year to MediSys and New York City first responders.
(Left to right) Jamaica Hospital Medical Center Executive Vice President and COO Frederick Beekman, Flushing Hospital Executive Vice President and COO Robert Levine, Jamaica and Flushing Hospitals Chair of Radiology Sabiha Raoof and MediSys Health Network President and CEO Bruce J. Flanz. Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
In addition to honoring the 16 first responders still working for MediSys Health Network, this commemorative event also paid tribute to the lives lost on 9/11 and the extraordinary heroes whose courage and selfless service aided the response and recovery efforts.
“The shock and horror of that day are permanently etched in our memories forever. Today we are here to recognize and to honor team members who unselfishly gave their best to total strangers in need, very much like our dedicated team does every single day,” MediSys Health Network President and CEO Bruce J. Flanz said. “On Sept. 11, 2001, and the days that followed, 123 MediSys staff members, including emergency medical technicians, paramedics, physicians, mental health providers and other support staff, were deployed to the World Trade Center. Sixteen of those responders are still working in Medisys Health Network, and we are here today to say thank you to them.”
Flanz addresses attendees of the event. Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Among the employees on hand at the event who were recognized were John Arline, Vincent Barranco, Gina Basello, Eric Brown, Nicholas Caputo, Philip Cruz, Peter Diorio, Madalyn Frank-Cooper, Malinda Morgan, Efrain Rendon, Rodrigo Villavicencio, Lisa Freitag and Marylee Dugan.
John Arline (right) honored. Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Vincent Barranco (right). Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Gina Basello (left). Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Eric Brown (right). Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Nicholas Caputo (right). Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Philip Cruz (right). Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Peter Diorio (right). Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Madalyn Frank-Cooper (right). Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Malinda Morgan (right). Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Efrain Rendon (right). Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Rodrigo Villavicencio (right). Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Lisa Freitag (right). Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Marylee Dugan (right). Photo by Ramy Mahmoud