Dear Colleagues:

Every facet of the Brigham and Women's Hospital community went above and beyond with an immediate and generous response to help those affected by Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. Truly, this is BWH at its best, but just the latest example of our extraordinary staff caring for those in need.

Hundreds of caregivers showed a true spirit of self-sacrifice in answering the call for volunteers. Our virtual hurricane relief center in the Department of Emergency Medicine was inundated with e-mail pledges from clinicians ready and willing to bring direct medical care to the Gulf region, and even more care providers stood ready for any patients transported to Boston or Cape Cod. Thankfully, the health care needs of our displaced neighbors in the South were not so severe as to require mass evacuations to New England, but that in no way diminishes the efforts of those poised to respond.

While we rightfully applaud those who brought their emergency medicine and response management expertise to Louisiana, Mississippi and Washington, D.C., we must recognize staff who covered open shifts here on a moment's notice. BWH is able to send top public health and emergency medicine experts into the field because we have so many capable clinicians who shoulder an increased workload at home.

Lastly, I am truly grateful and appreciative of the response to the staff-coordinated, hospital-wide fundraising drive. In total, staff contributed $12,500 to the American Red Cross Katrina fund, a tremendous showing of support of which we should all be proud.

Sincerely,

Andy Whittemore, MD
Chief Medical Officer