ORION EMS Vice President Sumi Patel and President/CEO & Founder Gerard O'Brien
DESCRIBE YOUR HIGHLIGHT of 2022. A continuation of our values, our leadership within the industry and the commitment to quality that our customers have come to expect. We remain on a growth trajectory within Houston and are happy to continue to expand our customer base by providing quality care.
How did you lead through Covid and adapt for success? As an EMS company, any public health emergency places us squarely in the spotlight. While this may seem daunting, being ready and able to handle any medical needs for our community is a pillar of ORION. Our friends and neighbors were hurting, and we made a commitment to be there for them, just as we have for the last 15 years. During these last two years, ORION’s leadership team ensured that our medical personnel were fully trained on the latest guidelines in patient care, and we frequently consulted with the leading medical and government authorities. The core mission of ORION did not change: to provide professional, compassionate medical care to every patient.
How did your career journey lead you to EMS? Throughout my life, I have challenged the status quo of various industries. To me, the most insidious thought for any organization is, “That’s the way we’ve always done it.” In my career, I’ve consistently rejected the concept that an organization has reached its ceiling of potential impact. Having owned several businesses, my primary strategy has been to identify new efficient and customer-friendly ways to function. My decision to enter EMS was no different; I saw an industry that was too crowded (from a competition standpoint) and barely acknowledging the needs of the people it was supposed to be serving. I founded ORION to be the premier EMS company in Houston by returning the focus of our work to where it should always be — the families that we transport every day.
What’s “the end game” for ORION? The “end” is also our “beginning”: our staff and our patients. Every decision I make with our leadership team is focused on providing the best medical care possible in every transport. We are providing the Houston region with safe, reliable care for their loved ones while showing the public, and the EMS industry, what an ambulance service should be.
Describe ORION’s “win-win strategy” in the community. Our strategy centers on people — our staff, our hospital clients, and our patients. The EMS industry is so unique because, by definition, people come to us at difficult moments. ORION has a reputation for not only the quality of care we provide, but in the kindness and empathy shown by each employee. We would not have existed in this industry for as long as we have without being a bright light for the people of Houston when they need us.
What are your favorite aspects of your team? Without question, my favorite aspect is that ORION’s leadership team is entirely “homegrown.” Beginning with Vice President Sumi Patel, every senior leader started their career with ORION at a different level and has earned promotion to their current role. Those shared experiences create exceptionally strong bonds between us, and it ensures that we come to work focused on the same goals each day. Sumi has been standing with me since the beginning of ORION 15 years ago, and her commitment to excellence is, truly, unparalleled.
What makes you excited for 2023? The year 2023 is shaping up to have the same dynamic aspects that impact all EMS companies across the industry. We are excited that our stability in the marketplace, the leadership that guides our company and our continued quality of service will carry us through any challenges that may arise.
The shiny new Dr. Jack Express electric locomotive
JUST IN TIME for a long weekend — and a teeny reprieve from triple-digit temps — Hermann Park Conservancy has announced it will offer free train rides from Aug. 31-Sept. 6 to celebrate a pair of new locomotives.
For the first time, the historic Hermann Park Railroad has an electric train — make that two! “The introduction of the electric trains to the Park represents a leap forward in our commitment to environmental stewardship and visitor experience,” said Conservancy president and CEO Cara Lambright. “We are deeply grateful to ExxonMobil and the McGovern Foundation for their generous support, which not only preserves but elevates the Hermann Park Railroad as a premier attraction for visitors of all ages.”
Each of the major donors named a train: The ExxonMobil Express and the Dr. Jack Express, modeled after 1863 C.P. Hunting locomotives, begin servicing passengers tomorrow, Aug. 31. Dr. Jack is a tip of the hat to John P. McGovern, one of the park's biggest stewards; the train that began service in 2008 is also named the Dr. Jack Express.
The scenic railroad loop at Hermann Park has been a popular attraction for almost 70 years, and brings in an estimated $1.2 million each year, with funds going right back into park maintenance and improvements.
The Hermann Park Railroad has been a beloved Houston attraction for nearly 70 years. Since the Conservancy took over its operations in March 2008, more than 5 million riders have experienced a scenic loop around the Park. In addition to providing a unique visitor experience in the Park, Railroad operations bring in more than $1.2 million annually to support the Conservancy’s mission to maintain and improve Hermann Park. The new Commons, with an epic playground, splashpad and carousel, is a must-see — so hop on a train asap!
Refreshing bites at Bloom & Bee; the famous French onion soup at Artisans (photo by Shane Dante)
THIS SUMMER HAS been uniquely brutal for the hospitality industry, with devastating losses from the derecho and Beryl. But a bright spot for many has been Houston Restaurant Weeks, the annual August event that gives foodies and restaurants alike a jolt of energy.
For just the third time in its 20-plus-year history, HRW has been extended to Sept. 30, giving Houstonians an extra four weeks to taste and toast at many of the city's finest and most fun establishments. The two previous times the event was extended were in 2017 after Hurricane Harvey, and in 2020 during Covid, proving that HRW is committed to helping the industry recover from financial hardships via generating increased traffic.
“We decided to continue HRW this year due to the many requests we had from participating restaurants,” said Katie Stone, President of the Cleverley Stone Foundation, which puts on the event, noting that they are proud to provide "a way for restaurants, staff and others that were impacted by financial distress after this summer to recoup."
HRW will continue through the end of September with a reduced donation amount to the Houston Food Bank. Instead of $3, $5 or $7 donations per lunch or dinner served, a flat $1 per meal will be donated.
"Diners can show how much they stand behind the hospitality industry," said Stone. "It's heartwarming seeing how our city comes together to 'Dine Out & Do Good' every August!”
