Companies boost morale post-Katrina - New Orleans City Business

pital administration returned the favor for their hard
work and dedication.
Employees who worked at the hospital received
24-hour per day disaster pay, and East Jefferson’s
humanitarian relief fund raised $200,000 to benefit
severely impacted employees.
The hospital also housed employees’ families,
children and pets. Housing came in the form of 72
Federal Emergency Management Agency trailers, 70
hotel rooms at the downtown Sheraton, rooms at the
Inn on Bourbon, a furnished double-wide trailer on
hospital property and resources available to expedite
the FEMA trailer process for private property.
East Jefferson General Hospital raised $200,000 through its humanitarian fund for employees severely impacted by the storm.
December 19, 2005 21
East Jefferson General Hospital president and CEO Dr. Mark Peters
estimated about 800 hospital staff worked during and immediately
after Hurricane Katrina.
“It was all well deserved with the effort put forth
by our team members,” said East Jefferson CEO and
President Dr. Mark Peters. “It’s not a fair request to
ask these people to work and not take care of their
personal needs and families at the same time.”
Carter had severe damage to two homes from
Katrina and stayed at the hospital for a period of time
before living with a co-worker and then renting an
apartment from another co-worker.
She said East Jefferson performed numerous tasks
in the aftermath of the storm to accommodate
employees. Boxes of housing supplies were available
to employees, and food was always present, coming
from places like Jason’s Deli and Domino’s.
“We’re always pleased when they go a step farther,
but it’s what their philosophy is all about for their
employees,” Carter said. “We would have been more
surprised if they didn’t step up. It’s the reputation of
East Jefferson.”
Monica Campbell, unit secretary in the emergency
room, said routine morning announcements from
hospital administration was one of the more comforting
tasks they did.
“We got up and looked forward to them because
communication was so tough through everything;
nobody knew what was going on,” Campbell said.
East Jefferson employees said they were not surprised
by the hospital’s generous responses through
Katrina. Several programs were already in place to
recognize employee performance like team member
and volunteer of the month and physician or leader of
the quarter.
The hospital also puts on wellness challenges that
can reward employees up to $100 to main exercise
activity and remain in good health.
“People should feel good about what they’re doing
in every aspect of working here,” Peters said. “Our
commitment is to the best quality care and patient
safety; our team members see that as our number-one
priority and they like being in that kind of professional
and caring environment.”•