With the return of human spaceflight , launch capabilities resumed in the United States since the final space shuttle mission in 2011 . Halifax Health was asked that its expertise in emergency medicine and trauma care , be made available to NASA , as a contingency hospital for the first ever NASA and SpaceX launch with astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley .
When the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket , carrying the Crew Dragon spacecraft , lifted off from historic Launch Complex 39A at NASA ’ s Kennedy Space Center , physicians and nurses were watching , hoping for a safe launch . However , not only were they hoping for a successful launch , they were also prepared in case anything went wrong . Halifax Health partnered with NASA in preparation for the launch to support any medical needs which could arise in the event of contingency .
“ As officials at NASA have stated , crew safety is their number one obligation and the Halifax Health team is proud to lend its expertise to such an important National event ,” said Stephen Viel , MD and Director of Emergency Services . “ We have worked closely with NASA medical officials and practiced with them to make sure we can support any lifesaving needs they may have .” Viel also commented , “ We may be the closest trauma center depending on the circumstances .” He estimates about a twenty-minute flight from the Cape to Halifax Health in an emergency helicopter .
Jeff Feasel , President and Chief Executive Officer of Halifax Health stated , “ Being asked to work with NASA is a testament to the team we have assembled to take care of any emergency . Whether COVID-19 , The Daytona International Speedway or NASA missions , we are committed to providing the highest level of care for the best patient outcomes . We are proud to make our talent and technology available to our nation ’ s space program now and in the future . Every Team Member will now be a proud part of our space exploration .”
A special web site , halifaxhealth . org / space , has been set up to share the feelings of some of our surgeons and nurses as well as direct locals to the official NASA web page for up to the moment information on this momentous occasion .
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