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As Hurricane Milton gears up to hit Florida like an unwanted family member at Thanksgiving, the crew at Sarasota Memorial Hospital is preparing for a storm of epic proportions.
Nestled just an hour south of Tampa, this hospital isn’t evacuating—because apparently, it’s not just a hospital; it’s the Fort Knox of Florida healthcare facilities. “We’re probably on the highest ground in Sarasota and we’re the largest hospital,” chimed David Verinder, President and CEO of Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, sounding like he’s prepping for a hurricane-themed episode of Survivor. “We just have way too many patients to take care of.”
He estimates that somewhere between 4,000 to 5,000 souls (patients and staff) will be on site when Milton decides to drop by for a visit. Maybe he’ll bring snacks.
In preparation, the hospital wisely stocked up on food and water for at least a week—like they’re expecting a summer camp with all-you-can-eat rations. “We have linens, you know, everything that you’ll need,” Verinder assured, likely while glancing nervously at the pantry supplies. “We can’t guarantee that we’ll have anybody able to make any deliveries through the weekend, so at least we’re planning for seven days.” Because nothing screams ‘family bonding’ quite like huddling together in a hospital bathroom during a hurricane.
Hospital staff will work in two teams. The A team, made up of a courageous few hundred doctors, is playing the part of Hurricane Hero, ready to hunker down and endure the storm like it’s a Black Friday sale. “They’re going to be prepared to sleep and rotate shifts for three days,” exclaimed Verinder, undoubtedly while clutching a coffee IV drip.
But for Verinder, the real nail-biter comes after the storm when the B team expects to report for duty. “We hope they’re safe,” he said, perhaps a bit too optimistically. “If they can’t get through the roads and the downed power lines, the A team will continue to work until they’re relieved.” Sending everyone good vibes from the safety of their couches, I guess!
Meanwhile, the hospital has gone full-on pet-friendly apocalypse mode by offering a child care and pet shelter, allowing staff to bring their kids and fur babies. Because what’s better than a hurricane-induced crisis? Watching your kids and pets stress out together while you save lives!
Over at AdventHealth Tampa Emergency Department, Dr. Alex Waldman, now affectionately known as the “Storm Afterthought,” will swoop in as part of the B team post-hurricane. Having survived the dreary saga of Hurricane Helene, he is all too familiar with the challenges of turning up in a flooded, chaotic scene for a not-so-fun game of “What’s Behind Door #1?”
“If we’re running into issues, like getting flooded in, we need to be a little bit nimble and make sure that we have our shifts filled,” he said, channeling his inner acrobat. “But don’t worry, we have backup providers on backup providers—just in case.”
Meanwhile, in Fort Myers, the A team at Lee Health has reported for duty, stating they’re staying open for patients because after all, the show must go on—unlike elective procedures, which have conveniently been postponed, because why get a nose job when you could be dodging flying debris?
In true over-cautious fashion, the Skilled Nursing Facility evacuated about 100 patients from a low-lying area—surely a wise move, or at least a good excuse to throw a potluck on the road.
Monica Collins, the respiratory therapy director at Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, sent her family away to Miami—likely to avoid the stress of the hurricane and the holiday drama all at once. Having experienced the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, she is very much aware of what this storm could mean, especially since her house is in a prime flood zone. Priorities, after all: “Here’s to hoping my house is still standing post-hurricane!”
With Dr. Waldman bolting shutters and prepping for the storm while hosting half a dozen relatives at his home, he summed it up perfectly: “I’ve only been in Florida six years, but this one feels different.”
Welcome to the hurricane roller coaster—please keep your hands inside the vehicle at all times and try not to lose your sanity!
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