Pennsylvania Health Secretary Visits Temple, Presents Commendation for Service Following the Amtrak Accident

Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Karen Murphy visited Temple University Hospital (TUH) on June 23rd to present Certificates of Recognition to Temple and other area hospitals for the care, dedication, and compassion they provided to victims of the May 12th Amtrak derailment. Temple Health clinicians and administrators, together with colleagues from hospitals across the region, gathered in TUH's Erny Auditorium to receive the honors.

Secretary Murphy offered commendations to Temple University Hospital and Temple University Hospital-Episcopal Campus, as well as 11 other area hospitals, for their role in treating patients injured in the disaster.

"The scores of doctors and staff members at Philadelphia area hospitals performed heroically in the face of one of the worst mass casualty events in the city's modern history," said Secretary Murphy. "On behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, I would like to recognize these medical professionals for their exemplary life-saving work on that tragic night and in the days and weeks that followed."

The accident killed eight people and sent more than 200 injured passengers to area EDs around 10 o'clock at night. Hospital clinicians and staff responded to the incident by staying after the end of their shifts, or by coming in from home to help. Altogether, Temple's hospitals treated 64 patients ranging in condition from minor to critical—the greatest number and most severely injured of the victims.

Larry R. Kaiser, MD, FACS, Dean of Temple University School of Medicine and President & Chief Executive Officer of Temple University Health System, remarked before introducing Secretary Murphy, "The events of May 12th make clear that an academic medical center well-versed in trauma care and response is a critical Philadelphia asset and, following this incident, a national asset as well. Many of the 64 Amtrak patients that Temple cared for are residents of distant cities and countries. Likewise, many of the thousands of emergency-response professionals trained by Temple now work all over the world."

"We are extremely proud of the work done by our physicians and staff – and by our Temple Transport Team – during this night to remember," said John N. Kastanis, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer of Temple University Hospital, in his remarks at the ceremony. "They were well-prepared and ready to give all when the situation demanded."

Kastanis also noted that cooperation among the region's healthcare institutions was crucial to safeguarding the health and well-being of patients from the Amtrak disaster: "On the night of May 12th, when it mattered most, our joint preparedness was unmistakable. Collaboration and coordination among hospitals in the region was exemplary."

Prior to the recognition ceremony, Secretary Murphy participated in a roundtable discussion with Temple University Health System and TUH leadership about the shift in healthcare to value-based delivery and payment models, and Temple's unique challenges and opportunities—including its pioneering population health initiatives.

At the conclusion of the discussion, Dr. Kaiser thanked Secretary Murphy for her support and emphasized Temple Health's commitment to working in partnership with the state Department of Health as she oversees continued healthcare delivery system reforms for the Commonwealth.