Story and photos by Lynne Ward
RED BANK- A crowd of well-wishers – most of them wearing gloves and masks converged outside side Hackensack Meridian Riverview Medical Center Friday evening, April 10 as health care workers were changing shifts.
Residents from all over the Two River area came out to cheer, sing, clap and wave banners, signs and American flags. Emergency workers and first responders from many surrounding towns, including police, EMS crews, fire companies and others, came out to cheer on the nurses, doctors and other health care providers on the front line fighting the coronavirus. With sirens sounding and lights flashing, the town of Red Bank showed its appreciation to the Riverview staff.
Many also chipped in to deliver dinner to the health care workers, some of whom were able to watch the fanfare from the windows of the hospital’s upper floors.
Crowds in front of Riverview Medical Center gave cheers and thanks to doctors, nurses and other health care providers.
The surprise event was organized by Red Bank Fire Chief Scott Calabrese. Former Hackensack Meridian Health co-CEO John Lloyd was in attendance, as well as River view board members and Kelli O’Brien, chief hospital executive, and Jennifer Smith, executive director of Riverview Medical Center Foundation, just to name a few. It was a magical evening in Red Bank, one full of emotion and hope.
This article originally appeared in the April 16th, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
