Since 2011, young professionals with a passion for the Mid-South have served as community advocates for Regional One Health, bringing new ideas and perspectives.

This group of young volunteers began by hosting a series of informal social events to raise money for the hospital. This initiative grew and eventually led to the creation of Regional One Health Foundation’s Young Leadership Board, founded in 2015 by Erica Evans, Emily Gray and Patrick Hendricks.

The Young Leadership Board works to raise awareness about Regional One Health’s services, engages a younger generation through philanthropy and networks with other leaders through young leadership events.

This group of philanthropists raised over $10,500 to support hospital-based community outreach efforts aimed at decreasing HIV/AIDS and infant mortality. The board is currently working to raise funds for the rehabilitation center.

When asked why these young professionals give so freely of their time, they responded: 

“THE BOARD IS A GREAT WAY TO SHOW HOW MILLENNIALS AND YOUNG PROFESSIONALS TRULY CARE ABOUT THE PROGRESS OF THIS CITY. WHAT MAKES THE BOARD SO DYNAMIC IS HAVING MEMBERS FROM SO MANY BACKGROUNDS—HEALTHCARE, LAW, EDUCATION, COMPUTER SCIENCE, ARCHITECTURE, BUSINESS AND SO MANY OTHER PROFESSIONS. WE ALL REALIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF REGIONAL ONE HEALTH AND HAVE THE COMMITMENT TO SERVING IT TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITIES.”

– ERICA EVANS

“I’M INVOLVED WITH THE YOUNG LEADERSHIP BOARD BECAUSE I RECOGNIZE THE VITAL ROLE THAT REGIONAL ONE HEALTH PLAYS IN MEMPHIS AND THE ENTIRE REGION. OUR GOAL IS TO SERVE AS AMBASSADORS, RAISING MONEY AND PUBLIC AWARENESS, SO THAT THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM CAN CONTINUE TO GROW AND THRIVE. WE SEE THIS AS ONLY THE BEGINNING OF A LIFELONG RELATIONSHIP.”

– PATRICK HENDRICKS

“I HAVE ALWAYS HAD A HEART FOR THIS HOSPITAL AND OUR CITY. MANY FRIENDS HAVE BEEN TREATED AT REGIONAL ONE HEALTH IN SOME OF THE MOST DIFFICULT TIMES OF THEIR LIVES. I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO BE ABLE TO SERVE OUR PATIENTS WHILE WORKING HERE. I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ALSO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY BY HELPING TO GET YOUNG PROFESSIONALS AWARE AND INVOLVED.”

– EMILY GRAY