In early December, 14 people were killed and more than 20 were injured when two people who opened fire on a crowd during an office holiday party in San Bernardino, California. One of the shooters, Tashfeen Malik, had pledged allegiance to ISIS on Facebook prior to the shooting. Now, nearly two months later, leaders from a hospital that treated victims have written to the Los Angeles Times to say thank you.
Victims of the attacks were treated at two area hospitals, one of which was Loma Linda (Calif.) University Medical Center. Richard Hart, MD, DrPH, president of Loma Linda University Health, and Kerry Heinrich, CEO of Loma Linda University Medical Center, wrote a joint letter to the Times to express their gratitude for the support they received.
"We worked fervently to save the lives of those who were taken to our facility in the aftermath of this horrific event, and our hearts cried for those we could not help," the letter said.
Mr. Hart and Mr. Heinrich said they have received an enormous amount of assistance and support from local organizations. During the wake of the attack, other area hospitals offered to send staff, and anonymous nurses from outside the state sent pizza deliveries for the hospital's workers.
In the weeks after the attack, the hospital received cards, gift baskets, banners and even letters from children at local schools.
"Each gesture of support came without fanfare," the letter said. "However, we were so moved by these quiet acts of fraternity and compassion that we wanted to respond to them in the most public way possible."
More news and analysis:
Man fatally shoots himself in Fla. ER after traffic accident
How healthy is Bernie Sanders?
5 things to know about the Republican debate on healthcare, what Trump was doing instead