The TMC recently hosted an annual breakfast and challenge coin ceremony to thank veterans working in the TMC. The event is held each year in order to show appreciation and respect for the recently-hired veterans. This year’s breakfast also honored the late Dr. James “Red” Duke, Jr., the longtime Medical Director of Memorial Hermann Life Flight® and the John B. Holmes Professor of Clinical Sciences at UTHealth Medical School, who was a U.S. Army veteran who co-founded the “Hiring Red, White and You!” initiative to create more job opportunities in the TMC for military veterans. Rene Pagan, U.S. Army veteran, and Jimmie Coats, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, who are both Memorial Hermann security officers, attended the event (pictured above).
“The work that has been done in the TMC and by Memorial Hermann to not only recognize but also hire veterans is inspiring and, for me personally, a real honor,” said Robert Kitto, System Director of Talent Acquisition at Memorial Hermann and a U.S. Air Force veteran. “The recruitment effort for veterans is really a credit to Dr. Duke’s passion and commitment to his military family. He was a true advocate for veterans, and we are honored to carry on his wishes to provide those who have served with competitive job opportunities back here at home.”