Tulane health system donates $225,000 to hurricane Ida relief

Tulane Health System and LCMC Health have donated $225,000 to aid in Hurricane Ida recovery and relief efforts, with individual $75,000 contributions being allocated to United Way of Southeast Louisiana, Second Harvest Food Bank and Northshore Community Foundation. Tulane Health System is owned and operated by LCMC Health, and the contributions were made possible through LCMC Health. Tulane Health System is comprised of Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans, Lakeside Hospital in Metairie and Lakeview Hospital in Covington.

As the community continues to grapple with the impact of Hurricane Ida, the funding will provide important resources such as basic necessities, water, prepared meals, supplies, baby items, long-term support and mental health services in communities that fell into the Category 4 hurricane’s path.

“The New Orleans community is doing what we do best: Caring for each other and joining together to respond to the Hurricane Ida in the most extraordinary ways,” said Tom Patrias, Tulane Health System CEO. “We are proud to support these essential community organizations that are working hard to address the critical needs of our community during this challenging time.”

“These generous contributions will allow our community partners to continue to provide for the important needs of our citizens as we rebuild our region,” said Hiral Patel, Lakeview Regional CEO. “I’m proud to work with a company that provides quality, compassionate healthcare to the Northshore community, all the while providing funding that supports our region during this challenging time of rapidly changing needs.”

Tulane Health System also provided extensive resources to colleagues, residents, faculty and support staff throughout the storm and the ensuing weeks to ensure they could continue providing lifesaving care to patients. These resources included:

• Lodging assistance
• Complimentary meals
• Free fuel for colleague vehicles and home generators, ensuring they have the resources needed to stay safe and get to and from their hospitals
• Mobile trailer laundry services for 24/7 colleague use
• Pop-up commissary stores in hospitals for food, ice and personal and rebuilding supplies

In addition to the $225,000 for community organizations and the extensive colleague resources provided, the LCMC Health Hope Fund, an employee-sponsored and employee-run financial assistance program, has distributed nearly $1 million in grants to colleagues in need since the hurricane struck the region.

“United Way is proud to stand with Tulane Health System in our efforts to rebuild a stronger, healthier Southeast Louisiana,” said Michael Williamson, United Way of Southeast Louisiana president and CEO. “And while we recognize that disaster recovery isn’t always equitable, with support from partners like Tulane Health, we are able to respond to our most vulnerable neighbor’s pressing issues at the speed of need.” The $75,000 contribution will aid volunteer coordination efforts, essential supply drops and pop-up shops, and partner agency support, he said.

“We are so grateful and honored by Tulane Health System’s support of our ability to help those impacted by Hurricane Ida,” said Natalie Jayroe, Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana president and CEO. “Second Harvest is able to provide assistance to disaster survivors long after the danger passes thanks to major support by partners like Tulane Health.” The $75,000 donation will help provide shelf-stable food, cleaning supplies, baby items, and prepared meals to storm survivors in the hardest-hit parishes of Southeast Louisiana for months to come, she said.

“Our region is no stranger to the impact of weather emergencies,” said Susan Bonnett Bourgeois, Northshore Community Foundation president and CEO. “We are proud that we pull together, take care of our neighbors and come back more resilient than ever.” The $75,000 donation will be used for critical relief supplies such as food, water, fuel, medical supplies, essential items and mental health support for the most vulnerable residents in need.