PARMA, Ohio — Cheers and applause rang out Thursday afternoon as nurses, doctors and other caregivers at University Hospitals Parma Medical Center hosted a “clap-out” to show their appreciation for members of the Ohio National Guard who have been assisting with the latest COVID surge.
“They will celebrate their new-found frontline teammates who may leave UH Parma Medical Center in Guard uniform rather than scrubs, but will forever be considered a part of the UH family,” officials said in a press release.
The “clap-out” was held as some Guard members are called back to their posts. Other members of the Guard, however, will remain to help staff in the emergency department, intensive care unit, COVID floors, housekeeping and more. More help is on the way, too, as UH says additional Guard members are expected to arrive on Friday.
You can watch our streaming coverage of the "clap-out" from Thursday below:
With hospitals throughout the state dealing with a surge in COVID patients along with workers out sick themselves, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine ordered members of the National Guard to assist at locations throughout the state starting last month.
University Hospitals has welcomed 270 Guard members to a dozen of its hospitals across Northeast Ohio since Gov. DeWine’s order.
“UH Parma caregivers want to thank these military members who served our health care heroes,” their press release said. “The second wave are being called back to their southwestern Ohio base near Dayton.”
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