Susan Mulderick’s Command

Five Days at Memorial

Susan Mulderick’s path from trusted emergency leader to contested decision-maker traces the burdens and ambiguities of authority at Memorial.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Experienced Manager The Experienced Manager from "Five Days at Memorial". The Experienced Manager Years at Baptist Susan Mulderick had spent decades at the hospital and led nursing departments through major institutional change.

The Experienced Manager from "Five Days at Memorial". The Experienced Manager Years at Baptist Susan Mulderick had spent decades at the hospital and led nursing departments through major institutional change.

The Experienced Manager Years at Baptist Susan Mulderick had spent decades at the hospital and led nursing departments through major institutional change. Her experience made her a natural figure of authority during a hurricane. Preparedness Responsibility She chaired emergency planning and had managed an earlier storm scare. Yet the hospital’s plans did not prepare her for the combination of flooding, power failure, and evacuation that followed.

Incident Commander Incident Commander from "Five Days at Memorial". Incident Commander Taking Charge When windows broke and the storm damaged the hospital, Mulderick directed staff, moved patients, and relocated the command…

Incident Commander from "Five Days at Memorial". Incident Commander Taking Charge When windows broke and the storm damaged the hospital, Mulderick directed staff, moved patients, and relocated the command…

Incident Commander Taking Charge When windows broke and the storm damaged the hospital, Mulderick directed staff, moved patients, and relocated the command center. Her authority came from both her role and decades of institutional knowledge. Growing Responsibilities After floodwater surrounded Memorial, she had to coordinate scarce resources and consider the safety of patients, staff, and families. The job became larger than the plans she had inherited.

The Evacuation Order The Evacuation Order from "Five Days at Memorial". The Evacuation Order Survival Decisions Mulderick told colleagues the hospital expected deep floodwater and that evacuation might be necessary.

The Evacuation Order from "Five Days at Memorial". The Evacuation Order Survival Decisions Mulderick told colleagues the hospital expected deep floodwater and that evacuation might be necessary.

The Evacuation Order Survival Decisions Mulderick told colleagues the hospital expected deep floodwater and that evacuation might be necessary. She helped mobilize transport and passed information to Tenet executives. Authority Without Control She could direct staff inside Memorial but could not command aircraft, outside agencies, or corporate resources. The distinction between responsibility and actual control grew increasingly stark.

A Disputed Request A Disputed Request from "Five Days at Memorial". A Disputed Request Comfort or Hastened Death Mulderick later said she had asked Anna Pou to relieve suffering.

A Disputed Request from "Five Days at Memorial". A Disputed Request Comfort or Hastened Death Mulderick later said she had asked Anna Pou to relieve suffering.

A Disputed Request Comfort or Hastened Death Mulderick later said she had asked Anna Pou to relieve suffering. Other witnesses interpreted remarks about euthanasia and patient survival differently. A Central Question Whether Mulderick’s words authorized, encouraged, or merely sought comfort care remained disputed. Her leadership gave the conversation significance even though she denied intending to hasten death.

After the Hospital After the Hospital from "Five Days at Memorial". After the Hospital Legal and Public Scrutiny Mulderick faced questions from investigators and media while dealing with the trauma of the evacuation.

After the Hospital from "Five Days at Memorial". After the Hospital Legal and Public Scrutiny Mulderick faced questions from investigators and media while dealing with the trauma of the evacuation.

After the Hospital Legal and Public Scrutiny Mulderick faced questions from investigators and media while dealing with the trauma of the evacuation. She denied discussing euthanasia and said her focus had been getting everyone out. A Reputation Contested Colleagues and families interpreted her conduct differently. The case exposed how a crisis leader could become the focus of blame for decisions made in a fragmented system.

Before August 2005

August 29, 2005

August 30, 2005

September 1, 2005

2005–2007