Something Important To Me
August 16th, 2006I usually keep our entries connected to art, even if that approach leaves me without much to write during the times I’m consumed by current events in New Orleans.
Today I’m going to veer from that policy, but I promise it won’t be a habit.
You may or may not know that I’m a labor and delivery nurse and that I worked at Memorial Medical Center during the hurricane. It was horrible beyond words to be at the hospital, and it was more horrible when I was evacuated and dumped at the Convention Center. Luckily, I left on foot with a group relative strangers and was picked up by a group of complete strangers and taken to safety.
It should come as no surprise that I have been heartbroken and angered by Louisiana’s Attorney General Charles Foti’s actions leading to the arrests of Dr. Anna Pou and nurses Lori Budo and Cheri Landry. It made me glad that a friend emailed me this message from the Louisiana State Nurses Association:
“Following the allegations which have been made against two New Orleans nurses, Cheri Landry and Lori Budo and physician Anna Pou, the Board of Directors of the Louisiana State Nurses Association wishes to express the Association’s concern and support for these dedicated health care professionals.
They chose to remain in New Orleans and care for their patients under extreme circumstances following Hurricane Katrina. It is incomprehensible for those who were not there and did not experience the horrendous and extraordinary conditions, to understand what those heroic healthcare providers endured. The lack of electricity, food, water, sanitation and oppressive heat and humidity created an atrocious environment in which to provide care for their extremely sick and frail patients. Cheri Landry, Lori Budo and Anna Pou are true heros and deserve our support, respect and thanks for a job well done under catastrophic conditions never before faced in the city of New Orleans, state of Louisiana, or our nation.”
While doctors have insurance, most nurses do not. I imagine that on top of their awful experience during the hurricane and after, as well as the current ordeal playing out in the public spotlight, my collegues Lori and Anna are struggling to put together funds to finance their legal defense.
A fund for this cause has been established for them, and if you have been saddened or outraged as I have, please contribute if you can. I don’t know either of them personally, I just think it’s a worthy cause.
You can go to any Chase Bank and make a deposit for the “Memorial Nurses Support Fund” or if you know me, or stop by the gallery, I will be happy to pool contributions and deposit them.
-Amy
Having worked in the medical field (business services) for 19 years, I have a health respect for nurses. They do a wonderful, much needed and sometimes thankless service. I will be donating. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, TM.
Thanks Amy, I was not aware of this fund. Been waiting to find one. We have had all done our song and dance routines regarding this issue, now it’s time to really do something meaningful.
I am calling for all the New Orleans bloggers pitch in.
I would hope the defense attorneys working on this case are also being “charitable”. No matter, I’m in.
Thanks for posting. I shall do the same.
Thank you for helping to spread the word! I had been hoping a fund would be established, as well.
I really, really hope this does not go to trial, but even without one, it can’t be easy to make room for legal costs in one’s budget.
Even without a trial, their lives are so messed up. I really can’t think about it much or I’ll have to replace my monitor.
Yeah, I can’t imagine what they’re going through.
[...] Something Important to Me Amy at Farrington Smith Gallery in NOLA break format to request help for two nurses and a doctor who stayed behind to help patients during Katrina. [...]
I hope that everyone will support these two nurses.
I am a coworker of Cheri Landry and Lori Budo, and worked along side them during the horrible aftermath of hurricane Katrina. I also know Dr. Pou and have taken care of many of her patients. All three of these courageous, compassionate women have spent their lives taking excellent care of their sick patients. Everyone who knows them is standing behind them 100%. We have established a website to generate support for them. Please visit: http://www.memorialnursessupportfund.com
http://www.supportdrpou.com
Please visit the sites for more information. Thanks to everyone who posted a kind word!
Thank you, Cathy, for posting a link to the site! I didn’t have that when I made my original post.
Thanks for posting this. My mom’s a nurse in N.C.
I’ll forward this to her and rally the troops in support!