Freeman Hospital steps up after tornado

Much of the coverage on the May 22 Joplin tornado has centered on the destruction at St. John's, but Freeman Hospital has been doing much more than its part to hold the city together during the aftermath. Freeman is featured in an article in today's Springfield News-Leader:

Registered nurse Shelby Allen lives about two miles south of the hospital. Her home was not damaged; she made it to Freeman around 6:45 p.m.


She found every inch of floor space in the lobby occupied.

"They were laying down, sitting up; they were wet and cold and dirty. Some were very injured, and others were mainly in shock."

Several sat quietly with their dogs.

Yet, she said, no one was complaining.

Because the hospital was only on generator power, computers weren't working. She went to work triaging patients, asking their names, measuring their vital signs. She gave IVs holding a flashlight in her mouth.