Many people don’t realize the amount of planning and preparation that is involved when the President of the United States travels. One of the most important aspects of his travel plans are where the President and his staff will go for emergency medical care.

When President George Bush recently visited United Starters and Alternators in Bay Shore, Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center was called. Lt. Joel Dulaigh of the White House’s Medical Unit visited Good Samaritan a few days before the President’s arrival to assess its trauma-receiving ability and to prepare for the President’s visit.

Good Samaritan handles more than 1,500 trauma patients per year and has a state-of-the-art critical care unit, a CAT Scan within the Emergency Room and an MRI in close proximity to the Emergency Department (ED). A special phone line was installed so the President’s staff could communicate directly with the Medical Center’s ED in the event of an emergency.

Good Samaritan staff members were commended by the White House for their outstanding medical support. Christine Hendriks, Vice President of Public and External Affairs, William Fagan, Director of Security, and Bruce Litwack, Administrative Director of Emergency Services were all presented with certificates of appreciation of their efforts to accommodate the President and the White House staff.

Pictured, left to right, are Good Samaritan President and CEO Richard J. Murphy, William Fagan, Bruce Litwack and Christine Hendriks.