AURORA — First lady Michelle Obama reached out with both hands, gave hugs and offered thanks to doctors and staff Saturday during a surprise visit to the Medical Center of Aurora.

During a visit that lasted a little more than an hour, the first lady thanked doctors, nurses and other staff members who cared for the wave of patients who were rushed to the hospital July 20, after a lone gunman fired into a packed theater at the Century Aurora 16 multiplex during a midnight premiere of the new Batman movie, “The Dark Knight Rises.” Twelve people were killed and another 58 were injured in one of the worst mass shootings in American history.

About 50 people lined up in a conference room Saturday afternoon to meet the first lady. She shook hands with each of them, offering smiles and listening as staff members complimented one other and told stories.

“We’re proud of our accomplishments,” Dr. Frank Lansville told the first lady.

Pool reporters were allowed in the room for about seven minutes, but most of the conversations were inaudible.

Within an hour of the shooting, 18 patients were rushed to the hospital, less than 3 miles from the theater, and seven were admitted for their injuries. Three weeks after the shooting, two patients remain in the hospital’s intensive- care unit.

The first lady met with families of victims and spoke with one of the patients still in the ICU. One patient who was released Friday returned to the hospital Saturday to speak with Obama.

Justin Mast was among those who spoke with the first lady.

Mast, a longtime emergency-room nurse, was called to the hospital around 2:30 the morning of the shooting. He arrived just after the first wave of patients started getting treatment.

“The question then was how many more are coming,” Mast said.

Mast, 35, got a phone call Saturday alerting him that the first lady was coming. He stood in line and shook hands with Obama, who thanked him for his work.

The group around Mast erupted in laughter when Obama asked how many people in the room had not been to bed in the past 24 hours. One nurse raised her hand and the first lady immediately gave her a hug.

“It felt like everybody in the room was able to connect with her,” Mast said.

The first lady then met with Gov. John Hickenlooper, Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan and U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter before leaving the hospital around 4:45 p.m.

She was scheduled to appear next at a fundraiser at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Denver.

Jordan Steffen: 303-954-1794, jsteffen@denverpost.com