“Over the past few days, I’ve seen up close and personal the catastrophic damage Hurricane Harvey has caused Texas and our patients. In my role with Texas Children’s, I’ve worked with our team to coordinate disaster and recovery operations across our system of hospitals, out-patient clinics and our health plan. Yesterday, when on-site to evaluate damage at one of our closed clinics, a pregnant mom drove up with her sick daughter, and my co-CMO and I were able to remove the sandbags, access our clinic, and provide urgent care to this frightened family.
“The need is great. The scale of flooding is just disastrous, but I have been heartened to witness the resilience of my community and the immediate urge to help from across America.
“As one individual on the front lines of this catastrophe, and on behalf of ACOG leadership, thanks to each of you for your outpouring of concern, thoughts, prayers, and offers to assist in any way you can. We also extend our sincerest gratitude to federal, state and local workers and volunteers whose heroic efforts are saving lives in Texas and on the Gulf Coast.
“Our work in Houston and along our Texas Gulf Coast is very far from done. Recovery will take years of work and mountains of resources. While ACOG is not a disaster relief organization, nor can we vet relief organizations, those of you who want to help can find options on the State of Texas Emergency Website, https://emergency.portal.texas.gov/.
“Thank you, sincerely, for your concern and for your dedication to your patients.”
Lisa Hollier, M.D., is ACOG President-Elect