Thanks to the coordination of Abby Spann, RN, HMS Clinical Nurse Trainer, HMS participated in a recent purchase of food, water, and necessary emergency supplies for Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. The donated items from HMS, and other community members, were collected by a local resident whose hometown is Refugio, Texas. Donated supplies were transported directly to individuals, neighbors and loved ones in Refugio, who suffered the effects of Hurricane Harvey’s landfall.
Spann stated, “When I came to work this past Monday morning, I went directly to Dan’s (Otero – our CEO) office. With the victims in Texas weighing heavily on my mind all weekend, I told him that I had a friend who was headed to Refugio to take supplies to her neighbors. I told Dan, ‘You can tell me no if this is inappropriate for our organization but I would like to support them somehow.’ I asked him if HMS would be willing to purchase supplies that my friend could take directly to Texas for relief efforts in her neighborhood in Refugio. He answered, ‘Absolutely’ and Dan personally thanked me for my desire to help and coordinate this effort.”
Upon learning of HMS’ donation towards the purchase of food, water and necessary emergency supplies, Spann’s friend was overwhelmed with gratitude. Spann mentioned that her friend even cried when she was introduced to Otero later that day and thanked him for this unexpected donation. Otero stated to Spann and her friend that HMS’ mission centers around helping the community, and that HMS was happy to help in this way.
Otero stated to approximately 200 HMS employees at this Wednesday’s all HMS staff meeting, “I was very impressed with Abby’s willingness to step up and lead this effort. It is my hope that one day, HMS can somehow offer the services of an HMS provider to travel to and assist with the relief efforts of a natural disaster.”
