Physicians and dentists honored for their role in 1995 Murrah Building bombing response

April marks 30 years since the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, which killed 168 and injured hundreds. On Sunday, nearly 100 medical professionals and survivors gathered at the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum to reflect on their roles in the aftermath.

“When the call goes out, that’s our training, it’s what we know to do and we show up,” said Dr. Brad Margo, President of the Oklahoma County Medical Society. “There were a lot of physicians that were involved that day.”

Many of those who rushed to the scene on April 19, 1995, reunited at the memorial to be honored for the lives they saved.

“It’s important for those that were there that day to have an outlet, to come together, and tell stories, maybe see someone that haven't seen in 20, 30 years," Dr. Margo added. "This is a great forum to allow healing, to allow the emotion to come out, to allow those that really set the Oklahoma standard to be honored."

Survivors, like Melanie Hall, expressed their deep gratitude to the first responders.

“For 30 years, I’ve wondered about the names of those people who came running to help, and today I believe some of those angels are in this room,” Hall said.

Polly Nichols also shared her story of survival, who was among the first to receive lifesaving care.

“I certainly wouldn’t be here if it were not for you, which is my highest thank you,” Nichols said.

On the grounds of the memorial just below the Survivor Tree, physicians and dentists were called to stand in honor of their critical roles in treating the wounded. Over 500 adults and 38 children were treated in the hours following the bombing. Dr. Philip Mosca, who was at the scene, held the hard hat he wore that day.

“You should never forget,” Dr. Mosca said. “These terrible things can happen, and you have to be prepared for them.”

Dr. Andy Sullivan, along with two other doctors, helped amputate a survivor’s leg so she could be evacuated.

“It’s been an emotional time to go through that again,” Sullivan said.

Eye surgeons, like Dr. Sumit Nanda, recall working long hours to help those who were wounded.

“Eye trauma is common with flying shrapnel and debris,” he said. “We operated through the night to save vision in as many patients as possible."

Dentists also played a key role in identifying victims using dental records, helping to bring closure to families who lost loved ones.

“A hero is somebody with the right training, at the right place, at the right time,” Dr. Sullivan said. “That’s all we were doing, we just happened to be able to do what we did because of our experience and training.”

Dr. Sullivan added that some good came out of the tragedy, including the creation of a level one trauma center in Oklahoma City.