May 23, 2003

MGH Board of Trustees recognizes hospital staff after nightclub tragedy

While time has passed and news reports have waned since the Rhode Island nightclub fire that brought some of the most severely burned patients to the MGH, members of the hospital's Board of Trustees wanted to recognize the outstanding work of hospital staff who care for those patients and their families. At the March 21 board meeting, the following resolution was passed by the board to acknowledge MGHers who displayed exceptional teamwork in the face of such tragedy.

Whereas the Rhode Island nightclub fire of February 20, 2003 was a particularly horrendous event, leaving many victims, several of the most critically injured of whom were brought to the Massachusetts General Hospital; and

Whereas the Massachusetts General Hospital staff responded to this crisis with extraordinary professionalism, technical and clinical skill, compassion, emotional strength, hard work, and courage;

Whereas the response and the care given by the Massachusetts General Hospital staff to these patients and their families demonstrated the character of this hospital and the quality of those who carry out its mission not only in times of crisis but also on a daily basis;

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Trustees of the Massachusetts General Hospital and the General Hospital Corporation, on behalf of the entire hospital community, express their deepest and most sincere appreciation to the staff of the General Hospital who cared for the Rhode Island victims and their families and recognize with pride their extraordinary skill and commitment in providing the excellence of care for which the hospital is known.