ER doctor remembers attacks on September 11th in New York City

Stephanie Reynolds, M.D. spends her work days helping patients and saving lives in the emergency room at HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital. Twenty-four years ago, on September 11, 2001, she had just finished her nightshift at a hospital in Queens, New York when she heard the news of the terrorist attacks. As she got home, her husband who was a police officer for the New York City Police Department was rushing off to help with rescues. Reynolds called her hospital back and offered to come in. “I felt I had to be there, I had to help,” said Stephanie Reynolds, M.D.

Reynolds went back to the hospital and said teams had beds, supplies and trauma rooms ready, but very few patients came. Most had died in the attacks. As the days went on Reynolds went to ground zero to provide medical information and comfort to wives of first responders who were missing. “I have a gift of being a doctor. This is what I have been put here to do, to take care of people,” added Reynolds.

Reynolds still lives in the New York City area with her husband who is now retired. She travels to Sarasota to work in the emergency room here because she loves the community.  As she reflects back on September 11, 2001, she hopes people remember the heroic actions of first responders that day and the important work they do each day. “We go toward the disaster when most people run away,” added Reynolds.