Houston, Texas, September 6, 2013– The American Legion recognized The Woman’s Hospital of Texas as part of its National Convention on August 24, 2013. One of three Houston sites chosen for making Veterans a priority, The Woman’s Hospital is home to the Catholic Charities Lotus Project for Women Veterans. Legion representatives visited the Lotus Project Offices, toured The Woman’s Hospital of Texas, and visited with approximately 20 veterans and their children who have been personally helped at this location. Donations from the American Legion were presented to the Veterans at a reception following the tour.
Dr. Hunter Hammill, a Woman’s Hospital physician, was instrumental in bringing Catholic Charities’ Lotus Project for Women to Woman’s Hospital after meeting Olivia Bush, the Program Coordinator. “As an obstetrician, I worked at the VA Hospital clinic at Los Angeles, California, for Gynecology, over 35 years ago. Practicing in Houston and currently being in the U.S Army with the CSH (Combat Support Hospital) post-deployment from Afghanistan, I feel veterans should be first with their appointments. Since the VA at this time is not dong obstetrics, I am happy to work with the Lotus Project.” The Woman’s Hospital CEO, Linda Russell, echoed Dr. Hammill’s support, “These women leave their families to fight for our country and when they come home, they have historically had trouble finding the care and support they need. We are happy to provide them with that support and are honored that the American Legion chose to recognize us for taking care of these important women.”
Among the veterans are survivors of sexual assault by military officers during their time of service for the United States, says Bush, who spoke on a panel at 10 a.m., Saturday, August 24, at the George R. Brown Convention Center on “Issues Facing Women Veterans.”
“There are a number of women who have undergone abuse in the military, which is now under investigation by the U.S. Congress. Many of our clients face barriers in the transition after military service when they have to deal with the trauma and other issues that lead to homelessness. We help provide apartments, counseling and job training to get the women and their families back on track,” Bush said.
About The Woman’s Hospital of Texas
The Woman’s Hospital of Texas is Houston's FIRST Woman's Hospital. The hospital was established in 1976 by a group of physicians who recognized the need for a facility focused solely on the care of women and infants. In keeping with this vision, Woman’s offers a full range of women’s services, including breakthrough developments in minimally invasive surgery such as Robotic Surgery, and urogynecology. The hospital has an antepartum unit, 36 labor and delivery rooms, a medical surgical unit and 124-bed Levels II and III Neonatal Intensive Care nurseries. Since its inception, The Woman's Hospital of Texas has welcomed over 200,000 babies into the world and delivers more babies in Houston than any other hospital. Our experienced physicians specialize in high-risk deliveries, from handling preemies weighing less than 1,500 grams to offering a comprehensive Multiples Clinic for women having twins, triplets, or more. In addition, the Woman’s Hospital of Texas was twice named a top performer in quality measures by the Joint Commission, and has been designated as a Center of Excellence for Continence Care in Women by the National Association for Continence and a Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology by the by the AAGL and Surgical Review Corporation. Visit our website at www.womanshospital.com.
About Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston provides a comprehensive network of social services aimed at promoting and facilitating self-sufficiency. Services include basic needs assistance, affordable home ownership and transitional housing programs, counseling, disaster recovery, HIV/AIDS ministry, refugee resettlement, immigrant legal services, pregnancy services, adoption and foster care, pregnancy services, and case management for seniors. Catholic Charities serves more than 90,000 people annually throughout the Greater Houston area. Catholic Charities is a nonprofit, United Way agency. For more information, visit www.catholiccharities.org.