Press release
From Mission Health:
On May 20, an EF-5 tornado tore through the town of Moore, Okla., and left hundreds of lives changed forever. Among those in the path of the storm were the employees of Moore Medical Center, a community hospital of Norman Regional Health System. Employees from Mission Health, based in Asheville, N.C., recently donated more than $25,000 for their fellow caregivers who were affected by the tornado in Moore.
When the storm struck Moore Medical Center, its physicians, nurses and staff were faced with caring for their patients in a different way — guiding them to safety from the tornado. The employees quickly led more than 200 patients and visitors out of the hospital alive and unharmed. As these employees risked their lives for the sake of others, many were also losing their homes and personal belongings in the storm.
In an effort to reach out and help fellow healthcare employees, Mission Health launched a fundraising campaign within days of the tornado’s destruction and promised to match employee donations dollar- for-dollar, up to $10,000 for all contributions.
“While the power of the tornado was overwhelming, the power of the Moore community to rise above the massive destruction has been truly remarkable,” said Ronald A. Paulus, MD, President and CEO of Mission Health. “Our colleagues in Moore showed extraordinary spirit and courage as they put the needs of others before themselves and provided much-needed care to victims. We, at Mission Health, are honored to be able to support our colleagues in Moore during this difficult time.”
The collective donation was made to Norman Regional Health Foundation’s Employee Care Fund. One hundred percent of all donations made to the fund are used to support Norman Regional Health System employees by providing food, shelter and basic necessities.
“We are so blessed to have the support of Mission Health,” said Anne Clouse, MHR, CFRE, Executive Director of Norman Regional Health Foundation. “Our employees have suffered a huge loss and are in a state of shock right now. When I received the call from Mission Health, it brought tears to my eyes. It is amazing that people in North Carolina are thinking about us here in Oklahoma and want to help with our recovery. We are so very grateful. It means the world to us.”
Because Norman Regional Health System’s Moore Medical Center sustained such significant damage during the May storm, it was demolished last month. Plans are underway to build a temporary facility that will house emergency services at the same location.
Approximately 463 Norman Regional Health System employees reside in the zip code areas most severely impacted by the storm. To date, 218 Norman Regional Health System employees have been identified as needing assistance. Their homes have been significantly damaged or destroyed. With a little help from fellow healthcare workers in North Carolina, they can continue the difficult process of rebuilding.
About Mission Health
Mission Health, based in Asheville, N.C., is the state’s sixth-largest health system and the region’s only not-for-profit, independent community hospital system governed and managed exclusively in western North Carolina. Mission Health was recognized as one of the nation’s Top 15 Health Systems in 2012 and 2013 by Thomson Reuters and Truven Health Analytics, respectively. Mission Health is one of only two medium-sized health systems to receive this recognition in 2012 and 2013, and the only health system in North Carolina to achieve that distinction.
Mission Health, which traces its roots in the region back to 1885, operates five hospitals, numerous outpatient and surgery centers and the region’s only dedicated Level II trauma center. Its medical staff consists of more than 1,000 physicians and is certified in more than 50 medical specialties and sub- specialties. Mission Health has seven Centers of Excellence: Cancer, Heart, Mission Children’s Hospital, Neurosciences, Orthopedics, Trauma and Women’s Health. Mission Hospital, located in Asheville, is the system’s flagship hospital and is licensed for 795 beds. It is the regional referral center for tertiary and quaternary care. It also includes Mission Children’s Hospital – the region’s only children’s hospital. Other Mission Health member hospitals include Angel Medical Center in Franklin, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine, McDowell Hospital in Marion and Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard. With approximately 9,500 employees and 700 volunteers, Mission Health is dedicated to improving the health and wellness of the people of western North Carolina. For more information, please visit mission- health.org.
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