WHAT: “News reports of use of a chemical substance by protesters on a Chicago police officer as well as an unknown liquid found in the possession of an arrested protester are what we are hearing about NATO,” said Christina Hantsch, MD, toxicologist at Loyola University Health System. Hantsch, former medical director of the Illinois Poison Center, said, “The emergency medicine team at Loyola is prepared to provide medical care for any first responder or protester with any chemical exposure even if the specific agent is not identified."
Initial reports of injury have been limited. “Loyola is pleased that the law enforcement officers have been able to maintain control and there have not been large numbers of people requiring medical care at hospitals,” Hantsch said. “Loyola has been, and remains, ready to handle those with issues related to trauma, heat exposure, dehydration, infectious agent exposure, chemical agent exposure and other medical emergencies."
Hantsch and the Loyola medical team are prepared to extend their cautionary medical watch beyond the official NATO Summit timeline.
“Protesters have stated on the news that they are not leaving and pledge to continue to march,” said Dr. Mark Cichon, director of the Loyola Emergency Department. “Loyola will continue to be prepared to care for potential injuries well after the summit ends Monday night as our emergency management care team maintains ongoing preparedness activity."
WHO: Loyola University Health System, the only Level 1 trauma center in Illinois verified by the American College of Surgeons, is prepared for the NATO Summit. Available to speak with media are Loyola medical experts:
Mary Capelli-Schellpfeffer, MD
Director, Occupational Health Services
Utility and Electrical Disasters
Terrorism and Chicago’s Workforce
Mark E. Cichon, DO
Director, Emergency Medical Services
Overview of Disaster Preparedness
Christina Hantsch, MD
Toxicologist and former medical director of the Illinois Poison Control
Exposure to Crowd Control Agents: From Pepper Spray to Rubber Bullets
Decontamination/Treatment
Arthur Sanford, MD
Trauma surgeon
Burn Injuries
Karen Spangle, MD
Former Army physician serving international duty
Blasts and Explosives: Devices, Injuries
WHERE: Loyola University Medical Center
2160 S. First Ave., Maywood
For interviews, call Stasia Thompson at (708) 417-5036.