Health care providers at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center who looked after Damar Hamlin’s safety after he collapsed from cardiac arrest were awarded the keys to the city.
Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval presented the keys to the city in a Thursday morning ceremony representing caregivers across sectors and specialties to providers who have contributed to Bill’s safe care and recovery.
Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest during the first quarter of a Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on Jan. 2, team officials said. Paramedics rushed to the scene immediately to treat him and restart his heart.
UC Health provider receives the keys to the city of Cincinnati from Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval on Jan. 26, 2023, for providing medical care to Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin earlier this month .
UC Health
Hamlin was hospitalized in the intensive care unit at UC Medical Center and was put on a ventilator after the incident. His breathing tube was removed and he was discharged nine days later.
“It is very remarkable that while Damar Hamlin’s case was notable because it was aired on national television, the care he received was not,” Pureval said in a release. “Everyone, whether a professional athlete Ordinary people on the street will receive the same exceptional first-class care. We are so grateful for your heroic work day in and day out.”
Hamlin himself thanked the UCMC staff for their care, and tweeted that he plans to donate proceeds from the sale of the shirts to first responders and the UC Trauma Center.
“As the only adult Level I trauma center in our community, UC Medical Center is uniquely equipped to provide and coordinate the highest level of complex care,” UC Health and Chief Administrative Officer Rob Wiehe said in a statement to ABC News. “These exceptional teams take pride in delivering advanced medical care every day to every member of our community who needs us every day. We appreciate your recognition of them.”
In addition to the important ceremony, Cincinnati Children’s received $10,000 worth of toys from Fisher-Price and Mattel, both toy companies that have partnerships with the Bills organization.
Cincinnati Children’s said it will sort the toys throughout the center and distribute them to every child receiving care at the medical center.
Hamlin visited teammates around the Bills after his retirement and attended their AFC Divisional playoff game at Highmark Stadium, where they faced the Bengals again on Jan. 22.
The Bills ended their season with a 27-10 loss.
Jordan Looney, Hamlin’s longtime friend and business partner, told ESPN that his recovery is a long way off, but that Hamlin remains “optimistic and ready to continue working through this.”
