ROCHESTER, N.Y. — While many celebrate Christmas with family, some professionals, including firefighters, police officers, news anchors, and hospital workers, continue to work.
News10NBC’s Deanna Dewberry sat down with Dr. Michael Kamali, URMC Chief of Emergency Medicine at Strong Memorial Hospital, to discuss what Christmas is like in the emergency room.
URMC Chief of Emergency Medicine talks about working on Christmas
News10NBC Deanna Dewberry: Emergency rooms at Christmas can be very interesting places. What kind of things do you prepare for?
Dr. Kamali: Well, it was 13 years ago that we had the West Webster incident. And we still remember that all too well.
On Christmas Eve 2012, Dr. Kamali was working when first responders were rushed to his emergency room after a 62-year-old man shot four firefighters and a police officer. The man had set his house and car on fire to lure first responders. Two firefighters died in the attack.
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Dr. Kamali: We try to be ready for anything at any time, maintaining space, maintaining staff to take care of any patient that needs to come into our department.
He mentioned that while holidays are usually quiet, patients who do come in often require a higher level of care.
Dr. Kamali: Most people don’t want to be in the hospital at Christmas so the people that do come in are usually more sick.
News10NBC Deanna Dewberry: Is there anything done to lighten the mood for folks who have to be in the hospital on Christmas?
Dr. Kamali: Well, I think so, I think staff across the board, people who are working usually don’t mind working the holidays.
Dr. Kamali, also known as Mike Mali by his colleagues, has worked every Christmas Day for at least 25 years. He noted that many staff members volunteer to work so their coworkers can have the day off.
“And that staff is often times in a cheerful mood and work hard to cheer up the patients that are there. Okay, we’re here with you. We’re going to celebrate together, we’re going to whatever holiday it is and we’re here for you,” Kamali said.
Kamali also said that while Christmas Day is usually quiet, the day after is not. People infected at family gatherings and those who delayed treatment flood the emergency room.
If you are visiting the emergency room in the days following Christmas, Dr. Kamali advised being kind to the staff, as they are likely working long hours.
RELATED: URMC Chair of Emergency Medicine talks about their experience from last week’s RPD shooting
URMC Chief of Emergency Medicine talks about working in the ER every Christmas for 25 years WHEC.com.
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