Issue link: https://tmcpulse.uberflip.com/i/1162476
t m c » p u l s e | s e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 9 14 Hospital. We also have an embed- ded 20-bedroom house in Texas Children's and we have sleep rooms in Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital. Parents may need to sleep over to be trained by the nurses on how to care for the child or for grieving purposes. Q | What do you wish peo- ple understood better about Ronald McDonald House Houston? A | We're not funded by Ronald McDonald. We are almost entirely funded by local community grace and benevolence. We get minus- cule federal money for a family that might qualify for Medicaid, like $25 a night, but the cost for a family to stay here is about $200 a night for the food, lodging and transporta- tion. There are a whole lot of other restrictions and issues. You can't be a resident of Harris County or Spotlight It allowed us to do our self-evalua- tion by collecting our own numbers in family activities, early childhood development, nutritional data— understanding what we do. I believe, in the greatest medical center in the world, we should be at the forefront of understanding family-centered care and how what we do makes a difference. Doctors will report that patients say that it's very import- ant for them to stay at Ronald McDonald House, but I want us to have empirical evidence to be able to demonstrate that it helps families recover. Q | With 70 beds, is Holcombe House one of the largest Ronald McDonald House facilities in the country? A | We're in the top 10 percent in the United States. We have family rooms in MD Anderson Cancer Center and Texas Children's a county that abuts Harris County. We are funded through grants, primarily from our local founda- tions and family foundations that we've had relationships with for 40 years. We have our Boo Ball, which is our famous Halloween event, and our golf tournament—the Ronald McDonald House Cup—and our Spirit of Hope volunteer luncheon. Then we have a run, the Trafigura Run for the House, which is spon- sored. I want folks to know that we receive occasional support from Ronald McDonald House Charities. Otherwise, everything's local. We want the local community to know that we need them. I look at us as a real symbol of this city, our core val- ues and what's best about Houston. That's what makes me proud as a native Houstonian. Q | Does McDonald's contribute? A | Our local restaurant owners and operators do—but that's still local. Q | You've been in leadership positions for decades, but what does it feel like being a CEO? A | If I ever need a dose of reality, I go play with the kids or Mogie [the 1-year-old Australian Labradoodle who lives at Ronald McDonald House Houston and serves as its canine comfort ambassador]. The stories are very humbling. This place has an incredible history and because of the foundation that we're on here at the Texas Medical Center, the best days are yet to come. Major General Rick Noriega was interviewed by Pulse assistant editor Cindy George. The conversation was edited for clarity and length. February 21-22, 2020 // Houston, TX Come connect with global health experts, missionaries and organizations; be inspired by over 35 speakers; and find your mission in the M3 Conference Exhibit Hall with over 75 organizations working in the areas of medical missions, orphan care, water, sanitation, hygiene, human trafficking, education, and more! Register today at m3missions.com Save $5 with code: TMCPULSE2020 Connect with others. Be inspired. Find your mission.