NORWOOD, Mass. — We’ve learned a modern hospital will be built in Norwood to replace the one damaged by flooding last year. The closure cost a number of people their jobs.
“This is home, I’ve been here for 13 years,” said Edwin Denis, a respiratory therapist.
Denis used to work at Norwood Hospital before it was flooded.
“To this day, we still don’t believe it,” said Denis.
Last June, flash floods took rushed through Norwood hospital after heavy rainfall. Patients were evacuated, cars were submerged in minutes. Video from inside the hospital shows the dirty water bursting through the doors, pushing chairs, furniture and desks around. The flooding forced the hospital to close – and dozens of staff lost their jobs. the hospital is expected to be shut down for up to a year.
“The coworkers communicate with each other and we talk about how much we miss it,” said Denis.
How can we forget the once flooded Norwood hospital?
— Malini Basu (@MaliniBasu_) February 25, 2021
Last June, flash floods rushed into the hospital after heavy rain. Patients were evacuated, & cars were submerged.
There are now plans to modernize the hospital. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/7yzniETAiv
On Wednesday, we learned Norwood hospital has plans to modernize when it reopens.
“Earlier this month, the hospital worked collaboratively with the town of Norwood to update zoning at the hospital site. Establishing this new medical services overlay district was a critical step in being able to plan for the future of the site,” said Nick Puleo, Norwood Hospital spokesperson.
“Everybody in healthcare has been doing our best,” said Denis.
Since the hospital shut down, the 52-year-old has been taking it upon himself and traveling around the country to save lives as a respiratory therapist. He’s been going from hotel room to hotel room and staying in isolation.
“I can’t stop. I’ve devoted myself to help. Preservice is the key,” said Denis.
Denis said not only are healthcare workers acting as heroes, but they’re acting like therapists where they are emotionally there for the patients in need.
As far as Norwood hospital, it’s still too early to tell when the hospital will start rebuilding this area that flooded.
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