'We’re open, we’re safe and we’re here for you:' OhioHealth Berger Hospital, Letter to the Editor

On Wednesday, June 18, OhioHealth Berger Hospital was evacuated after an overheating mechanical pump generated smoke in the hospital’s basement. While there was no fire, we made the decision to evacuate the hospital and temporarily close to ensure the safety of our patients, visitors and staff.

Within about an hour, more than 70 patients were safely evacuated. Over the following days, our team worked around the clock to sanitize the facility, make necessary repairs and bring the hospital back online. Thanks to their efforts and the support of nearly 30 local agencies spanning five counties, Berger Hospital resumed full operations on Monday, June 23. At Berger, the safety of our patients, visitors and associates is always our top priority.

I want to express sincere appreciation to our entire staff, from our clinical teams to our safety partners, facilities associates and the countless others who responded with urgency, calm professionalism and compassion. Their swift action helped ensure patient safety and made it possible for Berger to reopen its doors to serve the community quickly and safely.

We are also deeply grateful to our neighbors, public safety officials and regional partners whose coordination and generosity (including handing water over fences) reminded us what makes Circleville, Pickaway County and our surrounding communities so special.

I always tell people that Berger Hospital is more than a building. It’s the people inside and around it, working together when it matters most. Thanks to them, we’re open, we’re safe and we’re here for you.

– Casey Liddy, President, OhioHealth Berger Hospital

This article was original published in the Circleville Herald.