CINCINNATI - On Friday, approximately 90 members of the Ohio National Guard ended their three-week deployment at UC Medical Center. Their service was celebrated with a farewell luncheon, and UC Health employees lined the hospital hallways to clap and cheer for the guard members.
The guard members spent the past three weeks working alongside hospital workers, supporting them during the present surge of COVID-19 hospitalizations in southwest Ohio. Most of the guard members worked in non-clinical support roles, but 10 medics worked in clinical roles within the emergency department.
“The dedicated members of the Ohio National Guard responded to the call of duty during our hour of need,” said Senior Vice President & UC Medical Center Chief Administrative Officer Robert J. Wiehe. “Their support has meant the most to our UC Medical Center teams, who have worked relentlessly the last two years to care for our patients. From all of us here at the UC Medical Center, thank you to everybody in the Ohio National Guard for their service and for what they’ve done for us.”
The guard members were deployed in the following areas of the hospital: Grounds, Environmental Services (EVS), Patient Transportation, Food & Nutrition Services, Inpatient Acute Care Areas, Sterile Processing, Pharmacy, Emergency Department, Patient Relations and Patient Experience, Employee Health & Safety, Central Supply, Operating Room Department and Lab.
Ten additional non-clinical guard members deployed to the UC Health COVID-19 Community Testing Center in Clifton are expected to depart on Monday after a month-long deployment. The center will transition from a drive-through to clinic setting that will be staffed by UC Health clinicians.
