Memorial Hermann’s Carol Paret Honored by Children at Risk

Carol Paret, Senior Vice President and Chief Community Health Officer for Memorial Hermann Health System, was presented with the 2022 Champion for Children Award by Children at Risk. Every year, the organization honors outstanding individuals and organizations that advocate on behalf of Texas children.

“This is a great honor to be recognized by Children at Risk. Although I am receiving the award, it takes a village to develop and implement all of the programs at Memorial Hermann that are designed to improve the lives of Houston’s underserved population,” Paret said. “Each year, Memorial Hermann invests millions back into our community, and I am proud to be part of an organization that takes such a vested interest in bettering the lives of children and families.”

In her role, Paret oversees Memorial Hermann’s Community Benefit Corporation. The corporation’s work is built on the foundation of four intersecting pillars: Access to Healthcare, Emotional Well-being, Food as Health, and Exercise is Medicine. All of this work is done in underserved Houston communities. The corporation’s programs include:

• Nurse Health Line - A free telephone triage service for anyone living in Texas, regardless of health insurance status.
• Health Centers for Schools - Provides medical, mental health, dental, nutritional, navigation and exercise programming to eligible children and adolescents in more than 80 schools in Greater Houston.
• Community Resource Centers - One-stop locations where individuals and families can get help with access to care, health education and social services.
• Exercise is Medicine – A program that promotes exercise as a tool to improve the health and well-being of our community.
• Food As Health - Every patient in every Memorial Hermann facility is screened for food insecurity and has access to resources providing support and assistance in getting healthy, nutritious food.

“I am thrilled that Carol is being honored for the incredible work she has done throughout her more than 40 years at Memorial Hermann,” said Deborah Gordon, Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Legal Officer for Memorial Hermann Health System. “Carol’s leadership, foresight, compassion and strong work ethic help better the lives of Houston’s underserved and are in line with our vision to create healthier communities, now and for generations to come.”

Paret received the award at the Children at Risk’s Accolades: The Academy Awards of Child Advocacy luncheon on Sept. 30.