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Largest-Ever Fisher House Welcomes Veterans 'Home'
Provides Free Lodging, Support for Families of Hospitalized Veterans

Texas Medical Center News
04.15.05

The wind was blowing and the sky threatened rain April 5, but nothing could put a damper on the spirits of those who gathered to dedicate the Fisher House, Houston on the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center campus.

Approximately 400 military veterans, Texas Medical Center leaders, a former U.S. president, and state and national legislators were on hand to celebrate the opening of this "home away from home" that will house veterans and their families as the veterans receive treatment for long-term illnesses or injuries.

Located throughout the United States and at two sites in Germany, Fisher Houses offer respite to the families of veterans who do not live within commuting distance of a U.S. military hospital or VA medical center. The Houston Fisher House is the 33rd and largest in the world to open its doors. Groundbreaking for the facility took place Jan. 16 last year.

Michael E. DeBakey, M.D., the Houston VA Medical Center's namesake, said family support is critical to the success of recovering patients.

"Having had a great deal of personal experience with patients whose families lived a great distance from the hospital where I was taking care of them, I learned to appreciate the importance of the support of the family," he said. "Having a place where family can reside to be near their loved ones provides extraordinarily valuable medical support."

"We are very fortunate at this VA hospital to have one of the finest quality medical services in the country," DeBakey continued. "I am so proud to have my name associated with this hospital."

Prior to the Fisher House's opening, the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center housed patients and their families in 35 guest quarters. The Fisher House provides additional accommodations because the guest rooms are always at capacity and can't accommodate the numerous requests for lodging.

On average, Fisher Houses are 5,000 to 8,000 square feet and hold eight to 11 suites. In light of demand, the new Houston structure is 13,000 square feet, two-stories and contains 21 fully handicapped-accessible suites, each with two double beds and a private bathroom. The house also has a communal kitchen with private locked cupboards for each family, built-in range, refrigerator, freezer and pantry area, as well as a large common room, dining room, family room, laundry room with multiple washers and driers, and a manager's office. Other amenities include televisions and telephones with state-of-the-art answering systems, a computer workstation in the common area, and a landscaped entryway and courtyard for outdoor recreation.

Gallery Furniture President Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale donated seven truckloads of home furnishings, including sofas, chairs, tables, beds and lamps.

Many Fisher House sites actually hold more than one house.

However, the growing need in Houston justified two houses, said Fisher House Foundation Chairman Kenneth Fisher, nephew of foundation founder Zachary Fisher.

The plot of land wasn't large enough to accommodate two houses, so one large house was constructed instead.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs R. James Nicholson said facilities like the Fisher Houses were not available to veterans of World War II and Vietnam.

"A house like this gives warmth, offers facilities and brings families together ... it's a gift," he said. "This is a red-letter day for the VA."

Typically, the average charge for lodging at a Fisher House is $10 a night, but the stay is free at this newest addition to the "fleet," as it is at nine other Fisher House locations. However, for families of wounded soldiers from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, lodging at any Fisher House is always free.

Fisher said the first family is expected to check in relatively quickly.

Community support is integral to the Fisher House Foundation's mission. Half the money to support each new house comes from donations, which the foundation matches to cover construction expenses. No money is borrowed to build.

In Houston, more than $1 million was raised in just 38 days.

"To be exact, that's $1,012,000," said Richard E. Wainerdi, Ph.D., Texas Medical Center president and CEO, and the campaign committee's chairman.

Fisher called the campaign committee "phenomenal."

"The support for this house, and the foundation as a whole is just like the great state of Texas - larger than life," he said.

Former President H.W. Bush, a former Naval Reserve lieutenant junior grade, was the committee's honorary chairman.

"The Texas Medical Center is a major city with all of these great hospitals, and as far as I'm concerned, it is home to the finest health care resources in the entire world," he said.

Nicholson said Fisher Houses are built on the cornerstones of love, wisdom, understanding and knowledge.

"Our mission at the Department of Veterans Affairs is to honor our veterans' sacrifices with the best health care in the nation. Accommodations for veterans' families during their most vulnerable and trying moments is a very important part of that care," he said. "The Fisher House Foundation is intimately familiar with the emotional and financial toll families experience when they are facing the traumatic newness of serious injuries to their loved ones. This habitat for healing and rehabilitation is arguably the brightest star in the seven-star constellation of VA Medical Centers that are blessed with Fisher Houses."

Bush said society owes a debt of gratitude to the men and women who have worn the nation's uniforms, particularly those who sacrificed to defend freedom.

"With the dedication of this newest Fisher House, we're doing more than just remembering," he said. "The Fisher House Foundation is as good as any example of what I mean when I talk about being one of 1,000 points of light. I am proud to salute the Fisher family and foundation for all they do to help support the men and women who have embraced the duty to honor and country. I am not aware of another organization that does as much as the Fisher House Foundation does across the entire country for our military."

- Story reprinted with permission from Texas Medical Center News

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