Summa doctors treated several Akron shooting victims

AKRON, Ohio — Summa trauma surgeon Dr. Rathna Shenoy had put her baby to sleep and was preparing to have a night in herself, but a phone call to her home at 12:25 a.m. Sunday changed everything.

He was told that a mass casualty incident had taken place in Akron and that “it was not a drill.”

At first, Shenoy called her partner at the hospital, who told her the situation was under control, but he called back a few minutes later and told her to come over.

“I was like, 'Oh my God, I have to go,' and I screamed downstairs to call my husband. I was like, 'I need my scrubs!'” Shenoy recalled.

Dr. Doug Gallo, medical director of Summa EMS, was also home and received a code yellow alert, meaning a disaster has occurred in the community.

He also did not hesitate to go to the hospital immediately.

“I jokingly call it a dysfunctional family. You don't let your friends fight alone. You step into it. They would do the same for me,” Gallo said.

Gunshot victims began showing up at Summa Akron Municipal Hospital after another. Most of them arrived by car.

The victims were all shot during a birthday party on the street that began Saturday evening and continued Sunday morning on Kelly and 8th Avenue in East Akron.

Police said 27 people were shot. Shell casings from five different weapons were found. Three weapons were recovered.

Akron police and federal agents continue to investigate, but no one has been charged and police have not named any suspects.

One of the victims, Lateris Cook, 27, died despite efforts by Summa medical staff to save him.

Another man underwent surgery and remains in critical condition Thursday, according to doctors in Summa.

Gallo said he saw various injuries.

“Many injuries to the extremities with small arms: arms, legs and torso,” he said.

Gallo and Shenoy were part of a team of medical professionals who responded to help the 13 other gunshot victims.

They were triaged according to the severity of their injuries and received treatment.

“My role when I arrived was to make sure everything was under control in the emergency room, making sure we had triaged all situations appropriately,” Shenoy said.

Gallo said he did a number of things to help patients, including helping nurses with wound care.

“We maintained our blood pressure, our mental state — which no one thought was stable — changed to a more unstable, critically ill patient,” Gallo said.

I asked him if it was the most chaotic day of his five years as a trauma doctor. Shenoy responded: “I would say in these five years, probably in my entire career, it was probably the most chaotic night for me, but when I say chaotic, I would like to clarify that it was 'coordinated chaos.

Gallo agreed, calling it “controlled chaos.”

“We were in control from start to finish. I was very impressed with our team and how well organized they were.”

For several hours, Summa was confined with a heavy police presence.

The doctors were aware of the confinement but remained focused on their work.

“I work with our law enforcement, our sheriff's office, our SWAT team in and out of this building, and I had the utmost confidence in our safety,” Gallo said.

Doctors said they practice disaster drills every month and find all the training pays off when a real tragedy occurs.

“It’s something we train throughout our careers,” Shenoy said. “A mass casualty event is always going to be chaotic. It's about how prepared your system is to handle the number of patients coming in, and I think we've done a phenomenal job.”

Still, Shenoy said the emotional impact of treating many gunshot victims will linger.

“I think when you step back and look at everything, it's very emotional. It's not the kind of culture we want to live in, but unfortunately, it's reality.”

Cleveland Clinic Akron General treated nine patients who were victims of the mass shooting. As of Thursday, three patients were still hospitalized, including one in critical condition.

Dr. Brian Harte, president of the Cleveland Clinic South Submarket and Cleveland Clinic Akron General, expressed his gratitude to caregivers and first responders.

“Their compassion, exceptional work and coordination with local law enforcement makes a difference in the lives of so many people. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to our community and the patients we serve,” Harte said.