GALLATIN, Tenn. (WTVF) — Sumner county residents held a parade for the healthcare workers at Sumner Regional Medical Center Thursday morning.
The parade followed all of the health guidelines surrounding the new Coronavirus. Cars wrapped around the medical center in anticipation of the 11:00 parade.
Many had signs or banners attached to the sides of the cars as they drove through the hospital parking lots. Doctors, nurses and other staff members waited on the sidewalk to welcome the well-wishers.
"We are seeing such a crisis all across the world and this small town of Gallatin is a piece of that. It is our job to support those who are on the front line are these doctors and nurses who are caring for patients in this critical time. The least we can do is show them love," said Ligon Troutt, a long time Gallatin resident.
Some of the hospital employees became emotional at the site of many of the cars as they prayed for everyone at the hospital.
According to some of the attendees, the only nurses and doctors missing were the ones directly working with patients infected with COVID-19.
"If anyone could have their minds and pray for anyone group together, it would be the nurses who are in the units right now," said Laura Willis, a CRNA at the hospital. "They couldn't come out and participate in the parade. They are attending those patients as we speak. I know what they go through."
Willis said the nurses in the unit caring for coronavirus patients work up to 12 hours or more a day. There was a recent influx of cases.
"Long hours, some don't get breaks or lunches. Just having to maintain the semi-sterile precautions and the protective eyeware the masks, constantly wearing those. Gowns, they're hot," she said.
There were so many cars in the parade, hospital staff couldn't keep an accurate count.
