How Butler Memorial Hospital staff reacted when Trump was brought there for treatment following an assassination attempt
Looking back a year after the July 13, 2024 rally, Butler Memorial Hospital officials commended the staff for doing what they do everyday — caring for people who need help — under extraordinary circumstances.
Administrators gave their staff high praise for their work at President Donald Trump’s preelection rally on July 13, 2024, and the aftermath that included a high-security lockdown at the hospital as they treated then-candidate Trump after an assassination attempt.
“Day in, day out, they care for people. They’re really good at (it), and that’s what they did that day,” said Karen Allen, president of the hospital, which is part of Independence Health System.
A volunteer group of doctors and nurses worked at the Butler Farm Show in Connoquenessing Township treating numerous people for heat-related issues.
The staff that remained at the hospital worked in the emergency department — protected by armed personnel — treating Trump for the wound he received at the hands of a would be assassin. Trump’s right ear was struck as shots rang out across the venue, wounding two others and killing a former firefighter at the event.
“Guys with camo and ARs. It definitely was not your typical day at BMH,” Allen said, referring to military style AR-15 rifles.
Planning began months before the rally when the U.S. Secret Service came to the hospital, according to Allen. Agents evaluated the facility and determined which room in the emergency department Trump would be taken to and how to set up the operating room if Trump had to be treated, Allen said.
Jenna Enscoe, the hospital’s director of emergency services, reviewed those plans that morning before going to the rally at the Butler Farm Show to lead the staff members who volunteered to work there.
“You never expect this to happen, but be prepared,” Allen said.
The unexpected happened when 20-year-old Matthew Thomas Crooks of Bethel Park opened fire, grazing Trump, but fatally shooting Buffalo Township firefighter and former chief Corey Comperatore and seriously wounding two other spectators.
Trump was rushed to the hospital where the Secret Service’s plan was put into action.
“Everything was locked down,” Allen said. “I never saw so many cops.”
Following Secret Service instructions, most of the staff had to wait outside the building during the lockdown. A shift change was taking place a the same time, but the incoming staff was not allowed to enter the building.
“We stayed outside most of the time,” Allen said.
Patients who were brought to the hospital by ambulance for medical issues after Trump arrived were treated in the ambulances outside of the hospital, said Dr. David Rottinghaus, provider network president for Independence Health System.
The hospital was notified Trump was on his way and medical staff stepped in.
“The Secret Service took care of security. They let us take care of treatment,” Rottinghaus said.
Security was heavy during the nearly four hours when the lockdown was in effect.
Staff was debriefed by the Secret Service and U.S. Department of Homeland after Trump left, and the hospital reviewed the events of the day.
“They couldn’t have handled it any better,” Allen said.
Rottinghaus agreed.
“It was a stressful situation to say the least. Every aspect of it, they handled it very well,” he said.
During the debriefing, federal officers told the hospital what to expect, which included threats. The hospital was told which threats to forward to federal authorities and which to forward to local police, Allen said.
Worldwide media attention was another consequence. She said hospital officials were interviewed by reporters from around the planet.
“It put us on the map,” Allen said.
