October 20, 2016
In August, a prolonged “no-name” storm deluged Louisiana, producing three times more rain than Hurricane Katrina. Lives were lost and the unprecedented flooding damaged or destroyed more than 100,000 homes and displaced thousands of people. As medical professionals, SpecialtyCare’s clinicians routinely step up when disaster strikes—we live and work in the communities we serve. But, stepping up can take different forms. In this week’s blog, we share a letter from Martha Ross, a member of our intraoperative neuromonitoring group, who rallied the team to help the people of Louisiana.
SpecialtyCare Team,
First, thank you for being open to opportunities to help others. When I sent a quick email to my immediate Middle Tennessee intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) team members communicating our plan to collect a few items to donate to flood victims in Louisiana, I had no clue that the project would reach the heights that it did.
Amite River submerges homes in Denham Springs (Photo: Josh Eachus / WBRZ-TV)
The flooding in Denham Springs and Baton Rouge has devastated thousands of people in the community—90% of the homes in Denham Springs have flooded. Depending on proximity to the Amite River, some homes had two feet of water and some neighborhoods had up to six feet of water. Because I am from this area originally, and several members of my family are still living there, I had hopes of delivering as many donated clothes, cleaning supplies, and small pieces of furniture that would fit into my small SUV.
Shortly after sharing my email with a few co-workers, my clinical manager (shout out to Christian Clark) forwarded that email to some of the folks at the home office here in Nashville. Shortly after, I received personal emails from several SpecialtyCare team members who asked how they could help and what items they could donate on a larger scale.
“I have been so encouraged by how generous people have been throughout this process. I never expected to connect so personally with people at a company as large as ours.”
Because of you and your help and generosity, including the donation of a large truck and a huge 12-foot trailer, my husband and I were able to deliver more than 50 bags of clothing to the community. We handed out cleaning supplies, drinks and food, baby blankets, bottles, kitchen items, bedding, curtains, small electronics, décor, and furniture. We were able to give five beds to families in need, replace a flooded washer and dryer set, donate sets of end tables, and replace dining room chairs for a few families.
Cars barely visible at Denham Springs apartment complex (Photo: Daniel Matson)
One team member, who wants to remain anonymous, donated and personally delivered the washer and dryer, among other things, to my home. Thank you! Big thanks, also, to Stephanie McCoy who generously donated and helped me learn to steer the huge trailer!
We left Nashville with an unbelievable amount of donations. So many thanks are due to the SpecialtyCare team. I am so grateful to everyone who took the extra time and consideration to donate to this project. And, a personal thanks to my incredible intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) team here in Nashville. I appreciate your support and encouragement.
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