9:54 AM PT -- The mayor just thanked the dozens of workers who cared for Damar Hamlin ... saying it is an honor to be standing among them at Thursday's ceremony.
"Thank you for representing Cincinnati and providing this kind of advanced care to every patient who needs it," Aftab Pureval said on Twitter.
The medical professionals who assisted in Damar Hamlin's recovery following his medical emergency are being honored in a big way ... with the Cincinnati mayor giving them a key to the city!!
Aftab Pureval's office announced the news Thursday ... saying city officials want to show their appreciation for the providers who cared for the Bills safety after his cardiac arrest.
We're told the ceremony will take place at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center ... where 24-year-old Hamlin spent a week with doctors as they tended to the NFL player.
Hamlin's physicians -- Dr. Knight and Dr. Pritts -- played an integral role in rehabilitating Damar so he could be released from the hospital.
At one point during his stay at UC Health Medical Center, Damar -- while still hooked up to a breathing machine -- famously asked the doctors who won the Monday Night Football game between the Bills and Bengals.
We're so glad you're here, @HamlinIsland. 🫶#LoveForDamar | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/rxR7PX7I00
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 22, 2023
"You won. You won at the game of life," they told Hamlin.
Ultimately, doctors felt that Damar had made enough progress to be released from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at UC Health Medical Center ... allowing him to continue his recovery at home.
He's since continued to make big strides in his recovery ... even hitting the Bills vs. Bengals game last Sunday in person.