CHRISTUS Health Shreveport-Bossier - LiveWell

Across the CHRISTUS Health system, the organization pulls together to help communities and facilities in need. In March 2016, much of northern Louisiana and Southeast Texas was impacted by fl ooding. Associates at CHRISTUS Coushatta Health Care Center, CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System, CHRISTUS Highland Medical Center and others were unable to come to work due to fl ooding. Some were trapped in their homes or temporarily homeless due to the fl ood damage. As the water rose, nearly 80 Associates from CHRISTUS Santa Rosa, CHRISTUS Spohn and across the health system gave to the CHRISTUS Medical Mission Fund, which is used to provide resources and services to the most vulnerable communities. Thanks to their generosity, 34 CHRISTUS Associates received help from the Medical Mission Fund to assist in providing temporary housing, clothing, medications and other fl ood-associated needs. WAITING WITH WATER AT THE READY In December 2016, CHRISTUS Spohn Health System was aff ected by a water ban in Corpus Christi, Texas. The city's drinking water was contaminated by a corrosive chemical, and for several days, the facilities could only use bottled water for cooking, cleaning, bathing and drinking. "During the crisis, we reached out to our sister facilities, including CHRISTUS Santa Rosa in San Antonio," says Steven Alford, communications manager with CHRISTUS Spohn. "They did a great job of readying their supplies and preparing to deliver provisions had the ban lasted longer." Thanks to constant communication with fellow CHRISTUS Health regions, CHRISTUS Spohn had a sense of security during the water ban, knowing they could count on their neighboring hospitals and health centers if needed. "We are part of a team that is bigger than just the hospitals in our immediate region," Steven says. "We're part of a global network, and it's great to know we can count on our brothers and sisters in other regions when times are tough." ✚ More than 300,000 Corpus Christi residents were a ected by the water ban. COUNT ON CHRISTUS After Hurricane Katrina, a group of 20 nurses and two doctors from CHRISTUS MUGUERZA in Monterrey, Mexico, came to Louisiana to support CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital. Visit christushealth.org to learn more about the values and mission at CHRISTUS Health. On His Own Time At CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier Health System, caring for the community isn't just a mission statement — it's a mindset. For Millard Kimball, director of Environment of Care and Safety, it's also second nature. Millard has spent 10 years helping ensure that patients remain safe within the walls of CHRISTUS, but when a devastating flood hit south Bossier Parish, he put his compassion and talents to use beyond those walls. Using a friend's tractor, he helped move vehicles caught in the water to higher ground. "To see the relief on people's faces as their vehicles were brought out of the danger areas was very rewarding," Millard says. "If you think you have nothing to offer, you're wrong. Just giving your time can make a world of difference for someone in need." christushealthsb.org | Summer 2017 COMMUNITY NEWS 4

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