Bush, Page, Regional FEMA Administrator Meet with Federal Medical Personnel at Christian Hospital
ST. LOUIS, MO — Today, Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01), St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page, and FEMA Region 7 Regional Administrator Andrea Spillars visited BJC Christian Hospital and met with Christian Hospital President Rick Stevens and the federal medical personnel who are providing relief in the face of staffing shortages at the hospital.
Congresswoman Cori Bush speaks to federal medical personnel at Christian Hospital
(Photo Credit: St. Louis County)
“When I visited Christian Hospital late last year, our health care workers expressed the urgent need for relief,” said Congresswoman Cori Bush. “Additional relief has now arrived. Meeting with the federal medical personnel at Christian Hospital today gave me hope — hope that when we make our voices heard and work together, we can save lives. Securing this assistance marks only a continuation of our work. We will not stop pushing until St. Louis has all we need to make it through this pandemic. I’m grateful to work in partnership with FEMA, Dr. Page, and the BJC team to deliver for our community.”
Dr. Sam Page speaks to federal medical personnel at Christian Hospital
(Photo Credit: St. Louis County)
“Our health care workers have been overwhelmed by this persistent virus, seeing day after day the toll of COVID-19,” said Dr. Sam Page, St. Louis County Executive. “These added resources at Christian will offer relief to workers and ensure that patients continue to get the vital attention they need for all aspects of care.”
FEMA Region 7 Regional Administrator Andrea Spillars speaks to federal medical personnel
(Photo Credit: FEMA Region VII)
“We appreciate the ability of the Department of Defense to provide this important help to BJC Christian Hospital here in St. Louis,” said Andrea Spillars, FEMA Region 7 Regional Administrator. “This COVID response takes a whole community effort that involves the local, state and federal governments, the private sector, our health care workers and each one of us to help Missouri and our nation move beyond this critical stage in the pandemic.”
Christian Hospital President Rick Stevens speaks to federal medical personnel
(Photo Credit: St. Louis County)
“This assistance is a beacon of hope for us as we continue to serve our community during this unprecedented time.” said Rick Stevens, President of Christian Hospital.
On January 6th, following conversations with the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force and other local leaders, Congresswoman Bush wrote to Missouri Governor Mike Parson, calling on him to leverage federal aid to address the COVID-19 crisis in St. Louis. In her letter, she called on the Governor to request federal medical personnel, as well as additional federal testing sites.
Following an additional request from the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force, federal medical personnel were formally requested by Governor Parson and facilitated by FEMA and the Department of Defense. The medical team contains 44 nurses, doctors, and other health care professionals from the United States Navy. They are serving at BJC Christian Hospital.
For more photos of today’s visit, click here.
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Congresswoman Cori Bush sits on the House Judiciary and Oversight Committees, serves as the Progressive Caucus Deputy Whip, and proudly represents St. Louis as a politivist in the halls of the United States Congress.