Colton's ARMC Recognized by White House Medical Unit and Announces Participation in Institute of Medicine’s Forum

COLTON >> Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) was recently recognized by the White House with a certificate of appreciation presented to ARMC Medical Director Richard Pitts, D.O., Ph.D. while The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine has invited Dr. Michael Neeki, an ARMC Emergency Medicine physician, to participate in a special forum. Dr. Neeki will speak this week at the Institute of Medicine Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness for Catastrophic Events in Washington, D.C. Dr. Neeki, trained in Tactical Emergency Medical Support, which enables him to work with SWAT in life-threatening situations, was on the Inland Regional Center scene in San Bernardino on Dec. 2, 2015. He assisted in clearing rooms at the location, was a key spokesperson for ARMC about the incident, and worked closely with hospital response teams to ensure safe and timely access to the ER and trauma bays. He will participate in this week’s forum to discuss medical and public health preparedness for disasters and other emergencies. The forum is an opportunity for stakeholders to strategize on short- and long-term planning, and to confer on how to best perform medical and public health disaster science research activities during a significant event or disaster. In addition to Dr. Neeki’s involvement in the upcoming forum in D.C., ARMC’s Dr. Pitts was recently recognized by the White House Medical Unit (WHMU) for his involvement and continued support with the unit, on behalf of ARMC. Dr. Pitts interfaces with WHMU in preparing for visiting officials should emergency care be needed when they are in the area. ARMC serves San Bernardino County – the largest county in the contiguous United States and works collaboratively with local government, other health care providers and other agencies to plan, prepare for, and respond to disaster-related incidents with regular disaster preparedness training. In addition, the hospital is a designated facility for government officials and other dignitaries visiting surrounding areas in southern California, as a location for emergency care.