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Sparrow Hospital looks to expand mass casualty protocol following MSU shooting

Following a successful implementation of hospital protocol during the Feb. 13 shooting at Michigan State, Sparrow Hospital has focused on analyzing and expanding its strategies and capabilities for a variety of mass casualty events.

When the hospital received notice that a mass shooting was occurring on the night of Feb. 13, 2023, their code protocol was immediately enacted, Sparrow Hospital President Denny Martin said. The entire hospital was on standby for the possibility of a mass influx of patients.

As a level one trauma hospital, Sparrow already had a detailed protocol for mass casualty events, Martin said. When the code is enacted, the first step is for managers of every unit to evaluate their current staffing and call in emergency staff if necessary.

Then, the hospital has to evaluate its capacity and determine where and how rooms can be opened up if needed.

Martin said that the shooting showed the hospital that their preparation was effective. Although only five individuals were admitted that night, Martin said he believes they could have handled more.

Although the protocol worked well in the case of the MSU shooting, Martin said the hospital has begun to analyze how big of an event they could handle and expand the strategy to target specific events differently.

Baker Woodlot inducted into national network of old-growth forests

Baker Woodlot, a 73-acre natural forest area in the south section of campus, was inducted into the Old-Growth Forest Network on Oct. 7, becoming the 12th forest in Michigan to become a part of the national network of old-growth forests.

Baker Woodlot, located on the southeastern corner of Farm Lane and Service Road, was officially recognized by the OGFN, a registered nonprofit organization founded in 2007 with the goal of locating and protecting forests in every county in the nation.

An old-growth forest is an undisturbed population of trees that are approaching their maximum life span. These types of forests vary from region to region but all of them are typically relatively undisturbed.

Indicators include multilayered canopies, large trees, standing dead trees, gaps in the canopy that indicate single tree falls, and woody debris in varying stages of decay on the forest floor.

While there are 11 other recognized old-growth forests in the state of Michigan, Baker Woodlot is unique in that it is the first old-growth forest on a college campus.

‘2023 has been difficult’: MSU holds winter wear drive for underserved Lansing communities

MSU’s Center for Engaged Student Learning is running a winter wear drive to collect outerwear donations for the Cristo Rey Community Center in Lansing. Students, faculty, and staff can drop off all new and gently used hats, scarves, gloves, and other outerwear gear to suite 101 in the Student Services Building until Nov. 10.

The center uses a community closet to supply clothes for people of all ages and genders. Because the community closet is not for profit, it’s entirely run by volunteers and relies on donations.

Contributing to the winter wear drive doesn’t end at donating clothes though. On Nov. 11, students can help the Center for Engaged Community Learning pack the donated items for delivery.

Based on original reporting by Vivian Barrett, Joe Lorenz and Willow Symonds.