![Hometown Heroes Parade](https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_200_21_9/public/media/images/2021-07/hometown_heroes_parade_1.jpg?itok=ci_fG7ao 200w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_260_21_9/public/media/images/2021-07/hometown_heroes_parade_1.jpg?itok=ieMTYr96 260w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_320_21_9/public/media/images/2021-07/hometown_heroes_parade_1.jpg?itok=t7Mxg0qx 320w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_400_21_9/public/media/images/2021-07/hometown_heroes_parade_1.jpg?itok=OojluZWE 400w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_520_21_9/public/media/images/2021-07/hometown_heroes_parade_1.jpg?itok=s80zzEGI 520w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_640_21_9/public/media/images/2021-07/hometown_heroes_parade_1.jpg?itok=487Jsh8d 640w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_800_21_9/public/media/images/2021-07/hometown_heroes_parade_1.jpg?itok=L8jZRIVO 800w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1040_21_9/public/media/images/2021-07/hometown_heroes_parade_1.jpg?itok=00bmMkgy 1040w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1280_21_9/public/media/images/2021-07/hometown_heroes_parade_1.jpg?itok=pMD5gspO 1280w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1600_21_9/public/media/images/2021-07/hometown_heroes_parade_1.jpg?itok=NBRmNXWU 1600w)
Historic NYC Ticker Tape Parade Honors Health Care Heroes and Other Essential Workers
Health care heroes and other essential workers from throughout New York City marched in a ticker tape parade on July 7 through the Canyon of Heroes in lower Manhattan. The Hometown Heroes Parade celebrated the contributions of all essential workers throughout the pandemic.
The parade included 14 floats representing 260 different groups of essential workers. Health care workers, food service professionals, transportation workers, and several other groups participated in what press outlets reported as one of the largest ticker tape parades in the city’s history.
Close to two dozen representatives from CUIMC waved to cheering onlookers as they marched up Broadway from Battery Park to City Hall.
![Representatives from CUIMC joined the Hometown Heroes parade honoring healthcare heroes and essential workers of New York City.](https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_200/public/media/images/2021-07/hometown_heroes_twitter.png?itok=VpyjRE0O 200w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_260/public/media/images/2021-07/hometown_heroes_twitter.png?itok=TJol2FGD 260w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_320/public/media/images/2021-07/hometown_heroes_twitter.png?itok=MesOx_cm 320w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_400/public/media/images/2021-07/hometown_heroes_twitter.png?itok=w2NFDK97 400w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_520/public/media/images/2021-07/hometown_heroes_twitter.png?itok=oW57Cf_x 520w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_640/public/media/images/2021-07/hometown_heroes_twitter.png?itok=UqqNwXtO 640w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_800/public/media/images/2021-07/hometown_heroes_twitter.png?itok=IXe4-3v0 800w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1040/public/media/images/2021-07/hometown_heroes_twitter.png?itok=i2VV6NOJ 1040w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1280/public/media/images/2021-07/hometown_heroes_twitter.png?itok=hp_g0xuM 1280w)
Representatives from CUIMC joined the Hometown Heroes parade honoring health care heroes and essential workers of New York City.
“It was surreal. I couldn’t believe how many people showed up to celebrate,” says Tsion Firew, MD, assistant professor of emergency medicine at VP&S. “The second we turned that corner, we saw this sea of people. It just felt unreal to see how much people appreciated us and to see how grateful they were. There were people of all ages in that crowd—people who had survived COVID and people who believe in science.
“It was just great to be back in the streets of New York,” she adds. “To see people celebrating in the streets—it's been a long time coming.”