CLEVELAND — Cleveland Clinic leaders held a farewell and appreciation ceremony on Friday for the Air Force personnel who have been supporting health care workers at its main campus for the past month.
The Air Force was mobilized in mid-January as the Cleveland area was in the midst of a COVID-19 surge as part of the Department of Defense's COVID-19 Medical Response Team.
"Their presence was a relief to our caregivers and allowed us to take in more transfer patients, helping us better care for our community and region," a representative from Cleveland Clinic told 3News.
"Thankfully, we have seen a significant decline in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. We have appreciated the hard work, compassion and empathy the Air Force personnel have displayed during this difficult time."
During this most recent COVID-19 surge, a representative from the Cleveland Clinic reports that there were more patients hospitalized in the Clinic's Ohio facilities than at any time during the pandemic.
Approximately 20 Air force personnel, including physicians, nurses and respiratory therapists, assisted at main campus.
They supported critical areas such as the medical intensive care unit and the emergency room.
