Center for Ministry Formation

supporting community in time of need

On August 22, what was supposed to be a joyous first day of school for students in our community quickly turned into tragedy and heartache. A school bus carrying fifty-two elementary students became involved in a serious accident on the way to school, resulting in one student fatality and at least twenty-five other students injured. The staff at Springfield Regional Medical Center quickly went on alert, anticipating an increase in volume of patients in the emergency room.

This tragedy not only touched the community at large, it also directly impacted one of our employees at Mercy Crest Family Medicine. Two of her grandchildren were on the bus at the time. One escaped unharmed and thankfully the other is now doing well.

While we all are called to offer the highest quality care, the associates and providers at Mercy Crest Family Medicine were inspired to respond even further in ways that reflect our mission and values. They sent cards of support to those who were most deeply harmed. They also took it upon themselves to take up a collection of funds and partnered with the local Chuck E. Cheese, so that the children involved in the accident could enjoy a day of fun. The staff at Mercy Crest Family Medicine are so clearly committed to living our mission of compassion for the sake of their community, even using their own time and resources to support others through their grief.