Water gushing out of a pump during Bellevue’s evacuation on Nov. 1. (Photo: Sheri Fink)
Four days after Hurricane Sandy, Bellevue Hospital was without power and running water and people were starting to panic. “It’s Bellevue, we’re used to crisis,” says Dr. Elizabeth Ford, “but this was different. I don’t think I’ve ever panicked in my life but I was starting to worry that we wouldn’t get out.”
As director of forensic psychiatry at the Kips Bay hospital, Dr. Ford oversees criminals who suffer from major psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and usually psychosis. The majority come from Rikers Island when they’re suffering from a medical complication.
More →