LHSON Donates to Emergency Relief Efforts for Venezuela Earthquake Tragedy

In an effort to support those impacted by the recent tragedy on June 24, 2026 in northern Venezuela of two devastating earthquakes, Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing (LHSON) is working alongside one of its nursing school alums, Andrea Alvarado, BU ’21, to coordinate an emergency relief effort for her home country of Venezuela. Her parents, Victor and Ina Alvarado, along with the Venezuelan Association in Austin, are helping to deliver supplies to Miami, Florida that will be sent directly to Venezuelan hospitals for victims affected by the massive earthquakes.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those impacted by the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela,” said Tanya Sudia, PhD, RN, FNAP, FAAN, Dean and Tenured Professor of Nursing, LHSON. “We are doing all we can here at the LHSON to show our support by mobilizing a donation drive to help those in need.”

The LHSON will be donating items in two phases for pick-up. Today, Monday, July 6, is Phase One of urgent items donated directly from our LHSON Clinical Simulation Building that included: three boxes of isolating gowns; two nebulizers; two boxes of IV sets; two bags of N95 masks; exam gloves; a few C Section kits; packaging for sterilization; a box of gauze; PPE; Otoscope; a few blood pressures cuffs and a wheelchair. 

Phase Two of the emergency relief effort will invite the Board of Advocates, faculty, staff, students and friends of BU to donate additional medical supplies and essential items for collection in the lobby of LHSON at 333 N. Washington Avenue in Dallas. The deadline for Phase Two of the donation will be Monday, July 20, 2026. 

Anything you can donate to this effort would be greatly appreciated. Suggested items in need include: 

• Medical Supplies
  IV catheters (any size); IV start kits, sterile gloves; gloves (any size), gowns; gauze (rolls, 4X4, 2X2);
  self-adherent wrap, ace wraps, chlorhexidine wash; syringes, chux pads, surgical masks, N95 masks, foley catheters, and nasogastric tubes
• Medications
  Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Anti-Diarrheal, Neosporin ointment, Artificial Tears, saline solution, and IV flushes
• Personal Hygiene Items
  Toilet paper, body wraps, soap, shampoo/conditioner, toothbrush/toothpaste, adult diapers, and female products (tampons and pads)
• Baby Items
  Bottles, pacifiers, wipers, diapers, baby formula, and non-perishable baby food                                                                    

“For nursing faculty and students, mission work here at the LHSON is where education becomes service, and faith becomes action,” said Dr. Rebecca Puchkors, Assistant Clinical Professor and Global Initiatives Coordinator, LHSON. “In times of crisis, such as the earthquakes in Venezuela, we are called to be the hands and feet of Christ, reflecting His love through compassion, humility, presence, and actionable care as we walk alongside communities facing profound need.”

"Venezuela is the country I was born in and where my whole family is from and this devastating tragedy has left me helpless and I want to use any resources I can to help," said Andrea. “As a nurse, my heart breaks for the victims and their families and I want to do anything I can from afar to help bring medical supplies and other necessities to a country that already was suffering a humanitarian crisis long before the earthquakes hit. That is why I wanted to work with Baylor Nursing in order to send these supplies to hospitals in Venezuela that work directly with victims to help in any way I can.”

Currently, Andrea works as a PRN Medical Surgical Trauma/Ortho nurse in Round Rock, Texas where she has worked for almost three years. Previously, she worked in downtown Austin in a Trauma/Ortho Unit and various travel nurse positions. She travels back and forth from Puerto Rico after a recent move where she hopes to get a job as a nurse soon.

Andrea was born in Valencia, Venezuela, where her family emigrated from in 1999. In recent years due to the country's prolonged political and economic crisis, much of her extended family has emigrated from Venezuela to look for a better future. However, some of her family still currently live in Venezuela and have been directly affected by these sudden earthquakes. Watching the country her family holds dear to their heart endure hardships year after year has been devastating for her to watch from afar.

“My hope is that through this donation collection it provides meaningful support to those impacted by these earthquakes in Venezuela and help save lives,” said Andrea. “Perhaps this will remind people that when we work together we can make a difference in this world no matter how small our contribution. May God bless everyone that is helping this effort.”

Additional ways to help include visiting the following websites to learn more about opportunities for support.
*              Texans on Mission
*              Matthew 25: Ministries
*              Convoy of Hope
*              We Love Foundation
*              Caritas-Venezuela
*              World Food Program
*              World Central Kitchen
*              International Medical Corps
*             Direct Relief