Memorial Hospital:

Before, During, and After Hurricane Katrina

Standing Strong

In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina surged up the Gulf Coast with its relentless, 12-hour onslaught. 440-bed Memorial Hospital, located 0.6 miles from the Mississippi Beach coastline in Gulfport, stood strong, implementing a well-rehearsed disaster plan and never shutting its doors. Crothall Environmental Services workers, led by Director Susan Kalister, stood with them.

Memorial would prove the only hospital on the Mississippi Gulf Coast able to provide uninterrupted medical and emergency services in the days following the storm. "Today we are still amazed at the miracle that we were," stated VP of Marketing and Planning Diane Gallagher.

"Hurricane Teams," prepared for a 36-hour stay, instead faced a 14-day ordeal. "Recovery Teams" were evacuated along with everyone else. "There were 619 employees that weathered the storm together," Crothall Client Robert Cobb, Director of Hospitality, explained, "and there were 619 heroes."

Neither workers nor discharged patients had anywhere to go, Gallagher explained. "Over 400 employees, including 40 doctors, lost everything." Roads were impassable, houses and services destroyed, and communications were down.

The Food Court, dubbed "The Village," provided free water, food, clothing, bedding, immunizations, and medications to its 200 inhabitants. Company and department distinctions disappeared as people battled the storm together. "People did whatever they could to keep us operating," Gallagher explained.

Crothall Corporate Support

Director Susan Kalister clearly recalls the support she received from Crothall corporate, especially Division VP Rich Menseck. "Windows were shattering, wind was blowing in rain and debris, and I could see the Gulf rising up from a distance! I was terrified, but Rich Menseck stayed on the phone and talked me through it before the phones finally went dead. He was very strong for me and got me to think rationally, and because of that, our team did extremely well."

As they opened the roads again, "Kirby Collins seemed to appear from the sky. I'll never forget what Crothall did for me," said Kalister, tearing up, even after 2.5 years.

Robert Cobb is still grateful for the assistance that Crothall Services Group provided. "Crothall was instrumental in sending supplies, additional personnel, and relief funds for their employees," Cobb stated, "which were deeply appreciated."

In 2008, they're on their way, but Cobb doesn't think things will be "back to normal" for the next 5-10 years. Looking back, however, he is proud of how their hospital and community stood up to the storm and took care of its people. He is also grateful for the generosity of his nation. "Speaking for the entire Gulf Coast, we can't thank people enough for what they did for us."

See more of the story and video entitled "Heroes of Katrina".