Weiss Memorial Hospital

Healthcare Heroes: Together on the Front Line

Heroes saluting heroes. That’s what happened on a sunny Saturday outside Weiss Memorial Hospital as first responders from the Chicago Fire Department stood saluting the hospital’s physicians and nurses.

In response, the healthcare heroes at Weiss clapped for their partners in the fight against COVID-19. It was a moment of mutual gratitude during a stressful time for everyone on the frontline.

“Keep up the great work,” said Deputy District Fire Chief John Giordano, standing alongside fellow firefighters on April 18. “We’re all working together and at the end of the day we will get through this.”

Dozens of Weiss staff gathered after the gesture began with four fire trucks pulling up to the hospital’s entrance, followed by two cars bearing donuts. The week before, the hospital sent pizzas to four neighboring fire stations to thank the first responders.

The healthcare heroes at Weiss have been working hard to care for COVID-19 patients. Most physicians start their shift before sunrise and finish long after the sun has set, so the salute brought them a brief reprieve in the warm sun.

“Who knew this was going to be so emotional,” Tam Thai, DO, associate director of the hospital's emergency department, told the Chicago Tribune as tears welled up. “We should be saluting at them instead of them saluting us. But the bottom line here is that we are in this all together to save lives and save our community.”