Support for Gloria Ortiz — Our Emergency Department Hero
On Tuesday, our beloved colleague and friend, Gloria Ortiz, suffered a medical emergency. As she begins the road to recovery, we are reaching out to our community—friends, coworkers, and kind-hearted supporters—to help support Gloria and her family through this incredibly difficult time.
Gloria has been the heart of our Emergency Department at Presbyterian Hospital – Downtown for decades. She is fiercely loyal, deeply compassionate, and truly irreplaceable. Whether it’s making sure we have the equipment and supplies we need, jumping in to help her coworkers, or simply offering a warm smile during a hard shift—Gloria gives her all, every single day.
Her dedication is unmatched: Gloria has served Presbyterian for over 41 years, beginning her journey as a volunteer at just 16 years old. She has never wavered in her commitment to caring for others, always putting patients and staff before herself.
One of Gloria’s most impactful contributions has been her creation of the clothes closet—a resource that began in the Emergency Department and now serves patients across the entire hospital. Thanks to Gloria’s compassion and initiative, patients who come to us in vulnerable moments are provided with clean clothing, shoes, and a sense of dignity when they need it most.
Now, it’s our turn to care for her.
This fund will go directly to supporting Gloria and her family, including help with medical expenses, day-to-day needs, and ensuring her two beloved cats are cared for during her recovery. Any contribution, big or small, will mean the world to her and her loved ones.
Let’s show Gloria the same love and support that she has shown all of us. Together, we can help her get through this tough time—with the strength of the community she’s served so selflessly for so long.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
#TeamGloria
