UTMB Health System celebrates a rare snow day

A rare winter storm brought snow, freezing rain and frigid temperatures in mid-January, but the temperature on UTMB campuses was anything but cold.

Urgent Cares and clinics were closed, procedures were rescheduled and as many team members as possible were urged to stay home. But, of course, our dedicated ride-out teams braved the weather, sometimes in treacherous conditions, and remained on-site around the clock to ensure that UTMB had enough staff to keep critical areas like the emergency department, ICUs and operating rooms up and running to meet patient needs.

Whether it was providing direct patient care, keeping essential equipment running, maintaining cleanliness and hygiene standards or ensuring that supplies were available when needed, the ride-out teams were a lifeline for patients, colleagues and our communities.

"I'm grateful for weathering another event with my dedicated team at the UTMB Angleton Danbury Campus," ADC administrator Dr. Elizabeth Reimschissel wrote in a post on LinkedIn. "Although each ride-out feels exhausting on the final day, witnessing the unwavering commitment of our team to serve the community leaves me energized.

"Each team member arriving with a smile, along with the support from the City of Angleton and TxDOT in ensuring our campus grounds remained safe, embodies the true picture of a community," she wrote.

The same was true for all of UTMB's campus hospitals. Thank you for your dedication, resilience and great work, ride-out teams.

Top row: Folks from the local H-E-B arrived with a car full of snacks for those UTMB staff who rode out the storm at the League City Campus Hospital.

Second row, photos 1-3: The Angleton Danbury team got some fresh—and cold—air once the snow stopped.

Remaining photos: Old Red and other campus buildings took on a mantle of white.

Main photo, top of page: Members of the urology department enjoy some time in the snow.