C2C buses carry medical personnel to New York City

Two Cornell Campus-to-Campus buses rolled out of Ithaca April 8 on a mission of mercy: They were carrying more than 60 doctors, nurses and other health care professionals from Cayuga Health to assist medical personnel in New York City who are battling at the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A member the Cayuga Medical Center team, wearing a mask, says goodbye before boarding one of two Campus-to-Campus buses bound for NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan.
Community members along Routes 96 and 79 cheered as the buses pulled out of Ithaca at approximately 8:30 a.m., bound for NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan. Cornell President Martha E. Pollack was among several speakers at a ceremony prior to departure.

“These volunteers, and all of the health care workers at the forefront of this pandemic, are acting with courage and compassion in a situation that is both unprecedented and incredibly challenging,” Pollack said. “Together with our essential workers – like police, firefighters, facilities workers, food and grocery workers and others – they deserve every support we can offer them as they help to meet the critical human needs in this crisis.”

Last week, Dr. Martin Stallone, president and CEO of Cayuga Health System, requested Cornell assistance with the transport of 64 clinicians from Cayuga Medical Center to New York City, according to Bridgette Brady, senior director of transportation and delivery services in the division of Facilities and Campus Services.

According to Brady, the request was approved immediately.

“Cornell Transportation and Delivery Services applauds and sincerely thanks the clinicians for their profoundly selfless service,” Brady said, “and we hope to be able to help in the fight again in the future.”