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On Saturday September 13, Hurricane Ike swept through the
Houston/Galveston area, taking a devastating toll on our community
and even costing some residents their lives. Damages are estimated
to total more than $20 billion, and it may take weeks or even months
to restore supplies and connectivity to all areas. While I am deeply
saddened by the hardships we have suffered as a community, I am very
grateful that the situation was not worse, and that it has brought
out the best in us.
I am very proud to be part of a community as resilient and caring as
Houston and grateful for the outpouring of support from everyone
around the country and around the world. There are too many people
to thank, but I would like to acknowledge several groups for going
above and beyond.
A very special thanks goes to Texas Children’s employees, residents,
medical staff and security. This weekend, like all other weekends,
we had a very full census and many critically ill children to take
care of. And even though you each have your own families, homes and
loved ones to protect, and you were worried about the safety and
security of your friends and family out there in communities with no
water or power, you reported for ride-out and relief duties as
requested and did your part to ensure the safety of our patients,
co-workers and facilities throughout this time. You rose to the
challenge and met the considerable demands of planning for,
riding-out and recovering from the storm. You worked tirelessly
until reinforcements could be brought in. You did a fantastic job,
and you should be extremely proud that we continued to provide the
highest level of care to our patients and their families. For your
extraordinary dedication, I express my sincerest gratitude. Please
know that your long hours and heroic efforts have not gone unnoticed
or unappreciated.
My deep gratitude also goes to Texas Children’s Leadership Team and
Emergency Management Team, including those who staffed Command and
Sub-command posts throughout the duration of the event. There are
literally hundreds of decisions and plans to be made in these
situations, and we are extremely lucky to have leadership as
prepared, committed and graceful under pressure as ours.
The Texas Medical Center Corporation provided outstanding assistance
and support.
We also had to call on several of our Board members for assistance
and, of course, they came through. I am very grateful for their
support.
We are especially thankful for the outstanding leadership of our
local officials, in particular, Mayor Bill White, County Judge Ed
Emmett, Governor Rick Perry and Lt. Governor David Dewhurst. These
leaders continue to do a fantastic job of representing and
supporting the citizens of our community and their efforts shine
even brighter during times such as this.
Finally, I would like to extend a very special “thank you” to Center
Point Energy for their tremendous dedication and efficiency
throughout this trying time. Even in the midst of the worst of
Hurricane Ike, Center Point employees were out making sure that the
institutions of the Texas Medical Center were a top priority and, as
a result, we experienced no interruptions in power.
The incredible commitment and dedication of our own Texas Children’s
family, in conjunction with the support of our community, allowed us
to continue to do what we do best – protect and care for our
patients. On behalf of the patients and families we serve, I thank
each and every member of our workforce and medical staff for rising
to the occasion during this time.
With my deepest gratitude,
Mark A. Wallace
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