Memorial Healthcare System's Outpouring of Support Help Victims of Hurricane Katrina
September 2005 — Memorial Healthcare System's employees and medical staff have been rallying to help victims of Hurricane Katrina.
"On Saturday, September 3, six patients were airlifted in critical condition and were received at three of the South Broward hospitals — Memorial Regional Hospital, Memorial Hospital West and Memorial Hospital Pembroke," said Frank V. Sacco, Chief Executive Officer of Memorial Healthcare System.
Already, some Memorial Healthcare System employees, who are members of the federal disaster medical assistance team, have gone to the Gulf Coast to help treat victims. This team is a regional group coordinated by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Disaster Medical System.
"We have conveyed to the State of Florida Emergency Operations Center our willingness to assist in any manner possible," Sacco said. "Additionally, we have a list of Memorial volunteers that have expressed a desire to be dispatched to the Gulf Coast."
Memorial has offered all employees the opportunity to assist in the relief efforts by providing monetary donations through the United Way Hurricane Katrina Response Fund. Employees can either write a check or convert their paid leave time to cash donations.
Memorial also has established an emergency food drive through Memorial's H.E.R.O. (Healthcare Employees Reaching Out) Program, and there are drop-off sites at each of their hospitals.
"Time and time again, Memorial Healthcare System employees and medical staff have displayed an outpouring of support and concern for people whose lives have been devastated, and we will continue to provide support to the victims of Hurricane Katrina as long as it is necessary," Sacco said.