Al Crump, a respiratory therapist at NFRH, was one of 11 Georgia hospital employees honored as a Georgia Hospital Hero.

December 6, 2005 – ATLANTA – Al Crump, RRT, RCP, a respiratory therapist at North Fulton Regional Hospital in Roswell, was presented the Georgia Hospital Association’s (GHA) Hospital Hero Award at a recent awards banquet honoring the extraordinary personal and professional commitments of hospital employees statewide.  The North Fulton Regional employee was one of 11 Georgia hospital employees honored at the inaugural event in Atlanta. 

Crump, a respiratory care practitioner of more than 23 years, has served as the night shift supervisor at North Fulton Regional for the last 16 years. Known for his dedication to improving patient care, Crump helped save one patient from impending intubation and ventilator care by cutting holes in the patient’s oxygen mask and inserting wide-bore tubing. The technique, dubbed by co-workers as “the Al Crump Special,” is one the hospital still uses today.

Crump is equally skilled when intubation does become necessary and has saved the lives of countless patients from newborn to elderly. One night, Crump saved a nine-day old baby whose mother had inadvertently rolled over the infant in her sleep. A stickler for continued education and emergency preparedness, Crump prepares his department far beyond hospital policy to successfully handle all emergencies.

	Al Crump, center, is shown receiving his award.

“People will always be the backbone of our health care system,” said GHA President Joseph A. Parker. “It is because of the compassion and caring and contributions of dedicated health professionals like Al Crump, that Georgia hospitals continue to provide the highest quality care and improve the health of all Georgians—now and in the future.”

About the Georgia Hospital Hero Award

Established in 2005, the Hospital Hero Awards program honors 10 employees or physicians who have performed a heroic deed or have gone above and beyond the call of duty to improve patient care and the world around them. The program also honors one Lifetime Heroic Achievement award winner. The Lifetime Heroic Achievement Award recognizes an employee or a physician who has served in health care for at least 30 years and has made a significant impact in their organization, community, and in patient care. For more information on the Georgia Hospital Hero Awards, please visit the program’s Web site at http://www.gahospitalheroes.com/

About GHA

Established in 1929, the Georgia Hospital Association (GHA) is the leading trade organization of hospitals and health systems in the state providing education, research, and risk management services to more than 180 hospital and health system members. Additionally, it represents and advocates health policy issues benefiting Georgia’s citizens before the state legislature and U.S. Congress as well as before regulatory bodies.  Please visit the association’s Web site at http://www.gha.org/

About North Fulton Regional Hospital

North Fulton Regional Hospital (NFRH), part of Tenet Georgia, is a 167-bed, acute-care regional hospital located on Highway 9, Alpharetta Highway, in Roswell.  NFRH has been serving the health care needs of the community since 1983.  NFRH serves North Fulton and surrounding counties through its team of more than 1000 employees, 450 staff physicians and 250 volunteers.  NFRH is a state-designated Level II trauma center and provides a continuum of services through its centers and programs, including neurosciences, orthopedics, rehabilitation, surgical services, bariatric surgical weight loss, gastroenterology and oncology.  The hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the nation’s oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency.  To learn more about services offered at North Fulton Regional Hospital, visit www.northfultonregional.com.