US State Department representatives presented a letter to Spaulding Rehabilitation Network experts on May 14 from secretary of state Hillary Clinton, thanking and honoring the staff for their work and assistance in October 2011 treating a group of 22 wounded Libyan freedom fighters, states a recent Spaulding news release. The letter was presented to the organization’s experts in rehabilitation care at the Spaulding Hospital North Shore facility in Salem, Mass. 

The news release reports that an excerpt from the letter expressed the secretary of state’s appreciation for the organization’s efforts to prepare for and treat the patients, “your efforts in caring for and healing these brave warriors showed the compassion, understanding, and dedication that are hallmarks of American values,” Clinton writes.

Maureen Banks, (pictured right) president, Spaulding Hospital North Shore adds, “It was an honor to the entire staff here at Spaulding to work on such an important project at a unique time in our history.” Banks also notes that observing the improvements and bonds made by patients reinforced the significance of their efforts.

The release reports that many of the patients sustained various injuries following the turmoil in Libya, ranging from complex orthopedic injuries, multi-level trauma, and nerve damage. The Libyan National Transition Council (LNTC), which first reached out to Spaulding in coordination with the US State Department, provided funding to support the treatment efforts.

Upon their return home, many patients reportedly shared stories of their experience with the Spaulding staff and the connections that were formed between patients, doctors, therapists, and nurses, “Those connections will build cultural bridges between our countries that will be important and long lasting,” emphasizes Mark Ward, deputy special coordinator, Office of Middle East Transitions, US State Department.

Spaulding Rehabilitation Network adds that Libyan ambassador to the US Ali Aujali (pictured above) and members of the Libyan-American Community also recognized the Spaulding staff for their efforts.

Source: Spaulding Rehabilitation Network