Children’s Hospital New Orleans announces Charles Barry Wilson Team Member Assistance Fund, named in honor of transformational gift, to provide financial assistance to staff in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida and beyond

Team Member Assistance Fund will provide support for hospital team members in need of financial assistance following unexpected impacts from Hurricane Ida, and other unforeseen life events.

NEW ORLEANS –Children’s Hospital New Orleans is proud to announce the hospital’s new Charles Barry Wilson Team Member Assistance Fund. The fund, which was started in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Ida, will be used to provide financial aid to team members in need of support due to sudden or unexpected circumstances beyond their control, such as natural disasters.

Donors Christopher and Lorraine Wilson generously contributed $500,000 last week to establish the Team Member Assistance Fund at Children’s Hospital. The Team Member Assistance Fund is named for Charles Barry Wilson, father of Christopher Wilson, who was born and raised in New Orleans.

“Children’s Hospital’s Charles Barry Wilson Team Member Assistance Fund will directly ease the financial burden our healthcare heroes are experiencing due to Hurricane Ida’s devastating effects on our region,” said John R. Nickens IV, President and Chief Executive Officer at Children’s Hospital New Orleans. “The Wilsons’ incredible generosity will be impactful for many of our team members whose homes sustained significant damage during the storm, and for those who have faced other financial challenges in their recoveries.”

Children’s Hospital has worked diligently to support hundreds of team members who have been directly affected by Hurricane Ida. The support of donors amplifies the hospital’s ability to provide continued support and resources to aid in team members’ personal recoveries – team members who are critical to the hospital’s ability to continue providing expert care for the children of Louisiana.

“We are deeply appreciative of this transformational gift,” said Mark W. Kline, MD, Physician-in-Chief and Chief Academic Officer at Children’s Hospital New Orleans. “The Team Member Assistance Fund will make a substantial difference for those in need now, as we recover from Hurricane Ida, and for many years to come as the fund continues into the future.”

“I am proud to be able to support such an important, mission-driven organization during a time of need,” said donor, Christopher Wilson. “While healthcare professionals at Children’s Hospital work to rebuild their lives, they are continuing to care for children in the hospital. It is meaningful to be able to provide financial relief for those with temporary housing, childcare, and other essential needs.”

Additional donors have generously contributed to the Charles Barry Wilson Team Member Assistance Fund, which now totals more than $536,000. Team Members are now able to apply for assistance, and applications will be reviewed by a committee and paid out to individual applicants once eligibility criteria are reviewed and decided upon by the committee.

To learn more about Hurricane Ida recovery and support at Children’s Hospital New Orleans, or to make a gift to the Charles Barry Wilson Team Member Assistance Fund, click here. 

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About Children’s Hospital New Orleans

Children’s Hospital is a 222-bed, non-profit academic pediatric medical center that offers comprehensive healthcare services, delivered just for children. With more than 400 physicians trained in more than 40 pediatric sub-specialties, Children’s offers a comprehensive array of pediatric healthcare services in Louisiana and the Gulf South. In addition to its main campus located in New Orleans, the hospital operates a network of specialty clinics across Louisiana, including in Covington, Baton Rouge, Alexandria, and Lafayette. Children’s offers primary care services at 13 convenient locations and remotely via its Virtual Care for kids program. Children’s is a proud member of LCMC Health, a Louisiana-based, not-for-profit hospital system which also includes New Orleans East Hospital, Touro, University Medical Center New Orleans, West Jefferson Medical Center, and East Jefferson General Hospital. Learn more at chnola.org