Imagine the sheer terror inflicted by an EF-5 deadly tornado, tearing savagely through your town and cutting a path of lethal destruction over a mile wide and nearly 14 miles long. Chaos, death, injury and ruin lie in its wake. Perhaps no industry would feel better prepared to respond to such grave natural disaster than the healthcare sector. But what happens when such tragedy makes a victim of the hospital itself?

Sisters of Mercy Health System (Mercy)—through its supply chain division, ROi—will share the remarkable story that has unfolded since May 22, 2011, after Mercy’s St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Joplin, MO, suffered a direct hit from the most deadly tornado to strike the U.S. since 1947. Weeks later, 159 would be known dead. More than 8,000 homes and apartments, and more than 500 commercial properties, were damaged or destroyed

You’ll hear how courageous doctors, nurses and other caregivers strived selflessly to evacuate 183 patients and quickly put into action a plan for tending to those left wounded and wanting all around them. You’ll hear how Mercy had the St. John’s Mercy field hospital, a 60-bed, high-tech unit, up and running within seven days following the tornado—providing medical care so deeply needed by the citizens of Joplin. Learn from executives how this incredible feat was handled with movement of supplies amidst recovery efforts after the tornado hit. Find out what measures were in place that aided the process and what the system has learned from this experience. You'll gain important insight for assessing your own system's approach to disaster preparedness and take away valuable ideas for helping to ensure an effective crisis plan.

Healthcare industry leader Chuck Lauer will open this session with a video highlighting some of the personal interviews and stories from those touched by this disaster.

IDN Summit will honor Joplin with a silent auction during the 2011 Fall IDN Summit to benefit the Mercy Co-Worker Tornado Relief Fund established to help those who face hardship and loss due to this tragedy. The Relief! Silent Auction will kick off on the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 13th, when registration opens and run until the winners are announced on Wednesday evening at the Relief! Reception to Honor Joplin event.  Auction item donors will be recognized at the Fall Summit.This is a great way to help your industry colleagues in need, and enjoy the fun and competition of an auction as well. For more information on donating items, contact Josh Morita at josh@idnsummit.com or La Shawn Fugate at lashawn@idnsummit.com, or phone 859.523.5701, or Lisa Ponssa at lisa@idnsummit.com or phone 859.309.6725.

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