In an effort to recognize the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Harvey and rekindle the heightened sense of community spirit that was exhibited during and after the storm, Memorial Hermann Health System hosted a number of volunteer events that all employees and affiliated physicians were invited to participate in through a service campaign called Hometown Healing.
The goal of the initiative was to give employees and affiliated physicians a way to not only honor the significant event in Houston’s history, but also contribute to the ongoing recovery efforts and pay it forward through projects that will benefit the Greater Houston area.
“One year ago, the worst natural disaster in our city’s history struck Houston. The damage and devastation was unforgettable. But so was our community’s response,” said Chuck Stokes, President and CEO of Memorial Hermann. “As a health system, we excel at healing people. But we also recognize that healing isn’t always physical, and our beloved Bayou City still has a ways to go. Memorial Hermann is committed to helping it get there, however long it takes.
”Volunteer opportunities were secured at the Houston Food Bank, the Montgomery County Food Bank, and Marshall Middle School and nearby Castillo Park in Houston’s Near Northside. Approximately 1,500 Memorial Hermann employees, together with their loved ones, participated in the inaugural service campaign.
“After Hurricane Harvey, residents and organizations throughout the Houston area collaborated in numerous ways to help get our city back on its feet,” said Carol Paret, Senior Vice President and Chief Community Health Officer for Memorial Hermann.
“As we continue to work together to transform Houston, we hope initiatives like Hometown Healing will serve as a catalyst for employees and affiliated physicians to profoundly impact the lives of the patients and communities we serve, beyond the hospital walls.”