An Important Message from Larry R. Kaiser, MD, FACS, About Aid to Victims of Hurricane Harvey

The following message was sent from Larry R. Kaiser, MD, FACS, to the faculty and staff of Temple Health:

Dear Colleagues,

Like many of you, I have been watching the daily images of devastation in Texas from Hurricane Harvey – entire towns under water, hospitals closed, nursing homes flooded, and tens of thousands of people evacuated from their homes. Harvey, now a tropical storm, has moved into Louisiana, where it continues to wreak havoc as torrential rainfall continues to pour on the Gulf Coast. Having lived in Houston prior to my time here at Temple, I certainly can identify with what the residents of that city are enduring. I still have many friends and colleagues there.

Amid these tragic events there are also scenes of inspiration. Emergency responders, some travelling great distances from other states, continue to locate victims and save lives. Private citizens are using their fishing boats for organized search-and-rescue operations. Thousands of hospital employees are working around the clock to care for victims and keep patients safe.

If you would like to join the relief effort for hurricane-ravaged victims in Texas, there are many ways you can help. The Greater Houston Community Foundation has created a Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund. The Houston Food Bank, San Antonio Food Bank, and the Food Bank of Corpus Christi are among those asking for donations. The Salvation Army is providing food and water to first responders and residents. The Texas Hospital Association has an assistance fund to help hospital employees who experienced significant property loss or damage because of Hurricane Harvey. For other trusted disaster-relief organizations in Texas, FEMA recommends checking with the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.

True to the Temple spirit, many of you have already made gifts to these (and other) organizations. As always, you make me proud.   

Sincerely,

Larry R. Kaiser, MD, FACS
The Lewis Katz Dean of the School of Medicine
Senior Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Temple University
President and CEO, Temple University Health System
Professor, Thoracic Medicine and Surgery