Mount Joy clinic staff helps students trapped in floodwaters

Employees at Penn State Health Medical Group – Mount Joy took in a group of students when their school bus was caught in rising waters during a flash flood on Aug. 31.

The Mount Joy care team was in the middle of a normal clinical day when intense thunderstorms dumped nearly 11 inches of rain on the area between 1 and 4 p.m. Streams and creeks quickly overflowed, creating a flash flood emergency in the streets surrounding the clinic at 201 Lefever Road.

Staff members grew concerned when they saw a school bus filled with students from the nearby Janus School stalled and stuck in turbulent rising waters at the intersection of Route 230 and Lefever Road.

“At the time, we were only thinking about those kids on the bus,” said medical office supervisor Christine Klinedinst. She immediately called 911. “We had already decided that if the bus tipped over, we would be running out the doors to help rescue them.”

Emergency responders arrived and safely evacuated the students from the bus. Senior attending nurse Sara Schlotthauer and staff nurse Jessica Shifflett escorted the group of 25 shaken, soaked students into the clinic’s waiting room. Staff members gave them towels, snacks, comfort and shelter for two hours. Two Janus School teachers then shuttled the students from the clinic back to the nearby school where they were reunited with their parents.

Becky Griffin, program manager for quality and patient safety outcomes, nominated the staff for a Penn State Health Inspire Award, which recognizes faculty, staff and students who personify the core values of respect, integrity, teamwork and excellence (RITE).  “This group of individuals definitely pursued the greater good through their acts of service, at risk to themselves and in service to their community,” she said.

Michele Luciano, Mount Joy practice site manager, credits the 13 staff members onsite that day for calm professionalism and exemplary teamwork. “Our staff would never look for recognition, but it’s so well deserved. This is who they are every day. They exemplify how Penn State Health cares for our patients and our community.”

The group will be formally recognized at the Inspire Awards Celebration in spring 2019.

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