UC Health providers receive key to city for Damar Hamlin medical response

CINCINNATI — University of Cincinnati Health providers were awarded a key to the city for providing medical care to Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin earlier this month, according to a spokesperson for UC Medical Center.

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: ‘Grateful for the awesome care;’ Damar Hamlin thanks UCMC after release, back in Buffalo

The ceremony took place at UC Medical Center Thursday where Hamlin spent a week recovering after suffering cardiac arrest on the field of Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on January 2.

“What is so incredibly special is that, while Damar Hamlin’s case was noteworthy due to it being on national television, it was not noteworthy for the care that he got,” Aftab Pureval said.  “Every single person, whether they are a professional athlete or someone just off the street, receives the same kind of exceptional, first-in-class care.  We are so grateful for your heroic work, day in and day out.”

Dozens of UC Medical Center physicians, nurses and clinical and non-clinical support staff joined Mayor Preval and Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Kearney for the event.

“The immediate impact is the awareness to the community of the care we give,” said Robert Wiehe, chief operating officer at UC Health. “Our teams are best in the country as everyone was able to witness over the course of the last month.”

UC Medical Center is the area’s only adult Level one trauma center.

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Damar Hamlin is doing well, but still faces lengthy recovery, friend says

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital also received $10,000 worth of toys from Fisher-Price and Mattel on Wednesday all in thanks for supporting and caring for Hamlin, according to our news partner WCPO in Cincinnati.

Included in the gift was a card saying, “Thank you for taking such great care of Damar.”

Cincinnati Children’s said the Child Life team would sort and distribute the toys to children receiving care throughout the medical center, WCPO said.

>>RELATED: ‘The love has been overwhelming;’ Damar Hamlin thankful for prayers in social media statement

Hamlin expressed his gratitude on January 8 for the care he received at UCMC on social media and planned to donate proceeds sale of a shirt to first responders and the UC Trauma Center.

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The shirt featured an image of Hamlin’s hands forming a heart and the quote, “Did we win?” which hospital said was one of the first things Hamlin asked when he woke from his coma.

Hamlin continues to recover from cardiac arrest in Buffalo.

“Thankful for all the GENUINE love, thoughts & prayers from all across the world,” Hamlin wrote on social media Tuesday. “Y’all will hear from me soon.”

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