Staff Supports Co-Worker After Sept. 11 Events

When tragedy hits home at Texas Children’s Hospital, employees come together just like any other family.

The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on our nation directly affected Gwyn Adams, a nurse in the Gordon Family Emergency Center who had joined Texas Children’s just five weeks earlier. Her son, Shannon, worked on the 101st floor of the World Trade Center’s North Tower and was among the more than 5,000 missing in New York.

When Adams faced challenges in reaching New York, her Texas Children’s colleagues stepped forward.

"It became clear to us she wouldn’t be able to board a flight any time soon," said Sharon Woolley, nurse manager. "We decided to take matters into our own hands."

Woolley and Jean Muse, another nurse manager, volunteered to drive Adams to meet family in Tennessee. While they went home to pack, other members of the Emergency Center leadership team arranged for a rental van and put together a care package of sandwiches, fruit, snacks and drinks.

Unknown to their managers, Emergency Center staff collected money to help Adams during this difficult time. She tried to use the money to pay for gas on the trip, but Muse and Woolley refused, telling Adams the money was hers to use as needed once she arrived in New York.

"The staff not only opened up their hearts, they opened up their wallets," Muse said. "Everyone felt strongly about helping Gwyn in any way they could."

The three nurses left Houston at about 2 p.m. Thursday and drove the entire 1,200 miles nonstop, arriving in Tennessee 15 hours later. Adams’ family then took her to New York where a memorial service was held for her son.

Adams called Texas Children’s staff after arriving in New York.

"She was extremely appreciative of the response from everyone at Texas Children’s," Muse said. "Even though she’s only lived in Houston for a short time, she said to tell everyone ‘I will be coming home soon.’ She already considers Texas Children’s to be her extended family."

For other Texas Children’s employees affected by the terrorist attacks, help is available through the Texas Children’s Employee Assistance Program. The program offers counseling services and can help with any issues employees affected by the terrorist attacks may face.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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