LSU Health New Orleans Flood Relief Fund Grants Awarded

Checks from the flood relief fund that LSU Health New Orleans and its Foundation established to provide emergency financial assistance to faculty, staff and students in extreme financial need after the Great Louisiana Flood of 2016 are being distributed to qualified applicants just in time for the holidays.

“This disaster touched many members of the LSU Health New Orleans family,” notes Larry Hollier, MD, LSU Health New Orleans Chancellor. “In addition to faculty, staff, residents and fellows, 32% of our student body this fall is from parishes where there was extensive flooding.”

LSU Health New Orleans Foundation raised $37,400 in donations in an effort that began soon after the most catastrophic US disaster since Hurricane Sandy. With programs and services spanning the state, a number of LSU Health New Orleans faculty, staff and students live in affected parishes and lost everything or nearly everything in the flood. Twenty-two of them applied for this assistance, and the proceeds of the LSU Health Foundation Flood Relief Reimbursement Fund have been equally divided among them. They will each receive a check for $1,700.

“Our thoughts and prayers remain with our faculty, residents, staff, and students and their families as they manage their lives during this difficult time,” says Denise Flock-Williams, Interim President of LSU Health New Orleans Foundation. “We are grateful to have been able to help.”

The Fund was constructed to provide one-time assistance to those experiencing financial hardship as a result of flooding in federally declared disaster areas. The grants are not loans and do not require repayment.

“We deeply appreciate the generosity of our faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends whose donations will help to replace some of what was lost, as well as our Foundation staff who immediately stepped up to help,” says Hollier. “Although we know that recovery will be a slow and challenging process, we hope that beyond the financial, these grants will convey our heartfelt support.”