Chief neurosurgeon for the Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Christopher Roberts, DO, was in charge of triage as patients arrived at the hospital after the Feb. 14 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, according to News-Press. This is the second mass shooting Dr. Roberts has responded to in 13 months.
Dr. Roberts treated patients on Jan. 6, 2017, after a gunman opened fire at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. While his medical team trains weekly to prepare for these circumstances, Dr. Roberts said he never thought he would be working two mass shooting in such a short time span.
As of Feb. 16 morning, seven high school shooting victims remain at the Fort Lauderdale location and Broward Health North in Deerfield Beach, according to spokeswoman Jennifer Smith. One is in critical condition while six patients are in fair condition; two others were discharged over night. The gunman killed 17 people in the Feb. 14 attack.
Dr. Roberts is a board certified neurosurgeon specializing in brain and spine surgery. He received his osteopathic medicine degree from Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Lauderdale. Dr. Roberts speaks English and Spanish.
"Anytime you have a mass casualty, the gravity of the situation, you can't let that affect you because you have patients that need your care and if you let that affect you than it could in turn affect their care," Dr. Roberts told News-Press. "You have to separate that professionally. There's time to reflect afterwards."
More articles on spine:
Drs. Michael Dorsi, Mario Zuccarello & more: 9 spine, neurosurgeons making headlines
Top 10 Spine Review articles: Feb. 12-16
Spine surgery patient receives $17,850 bill for urine test: 4 insights