Hundreds gather to show support for medical workers

At least a hundred cars assembled in the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center parking lot Friday to show their appreciation for medical workers, as well as all first responders.

"It was amazing," said Lacey McClintock, PBRMC Director of Marketing and Community Relations. "I had a few nurses who were up there on the seventh floor with me that were crying. It was really touching."

The crowd gathered during dusk and at 8 p.m., music played as they turned on their headlights, hazard lights, emergency lights, or whatever they had, creating a light show of support as people watched from inside the hospital. Several medical workers gathered outside the emergency room doors to watch, as well.

"The song Waymaker actually means a lot to me. And when they started playing that, it was extremely emotional," said McClintock, who was watching and filming from the seventh floor.

There were several posters offering simple messages like "Thank You" held up above cars and taped to windows.

The event was organized by Butler County EMS and got well over the 54 people who said on Facebook that they were attending.

"Thank you to everyone who came out to support the medical workers and to Butler County EMS for hosting the event and making sure it was held safety," McClintock said. "It definitely exceeded my expectations. I was not expecting that many (people)."

The night started with a prayer and a playing of the National Anthem. Organizers said prior to the show that it was the largest public gathering in Poplar Bluff in some time. It was also live-streamed on Facebook and received several thousand views within 30 minutes of the show starting.

"It's just great to see the community come out and support the health care workers," McClintock said. "Our respiratory therapist, our nurses, our direct care staff, housekeeping, transport, they've all been working hard to make sure they take the best care of our patients that we can. It's just great to see the community pull together to show their support for the health care workers."