I am nominating the Morgan 3 Team, including APPs Ashley Clark, Erin Murray, Sarah Feeny, and Amber Welch, for their exceptional performance during Hurricane Milton. Being on a code yellow during a hurricane is challenging, especially when evacuating from a nearby hospital. At approximately midnight, we were notified that Largo Medical Center was evacuating and needed to transfer several of its most critically ill patients.

We sprang into immediate action, waking up the team from their sleeping quarters. Erica Hogue, Carolyn Newland, and several other key members of the Morgan 3 team helped convert our sleeping quarters into a makeshift ICU unit. The teamwork and collaboration among Morgan 3 staff, MPH leadership (Matt, Jeremy, Logan, Diana K., and myself), respiratory therapists, AOD Anoopa, surgeons, intensivists, and others were truly remarkable to witness.

Patients began arriving shortly after 1:00 AM, all gravely ill and connected to multiple tubes, lines, and devices. The compassion shown by our Morgan 3 team towards EMS and the Largo nurses was awe-inspiring. Despite the challenging conditions the patients had faced, the Morgan 3 team did not hesitate to jump in and provide top-notch care immediately. 

Erica Hogue, nurse manager, was unwavering and exemplary in her care for the patients coming from Largo Medical. She skillfully untangled multiple lines and helped make sense of the complicated situations of our most critical patients. Carolyn Newland assisted by running to gather needed supplies, cleaning patients, and providing support in any way possible.

RNs from the day shift, including Simon Philip, Abby Polce, Namoi Talsness, and Noke Mazillo, quickly joined us from their rest to help. Night shift RNs Chelsea Ellis, Tara Roberts, Vonya, Ampi Amparo, and Casey Camacho all stepped up, reorganizing assignments to care for these seven additional critical patients. 

We held these patients in the PACU for about 48 hours. I have never been prouder of this group's teamwork, compassion, motivation, and skill. The Morgan 3 Team truly deserves this prestigious award. Thank you.