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A FOUNDATION OF SUPPORT
mily Herrmann had a close-knit circle of friends and family. She worked with many of them at Walter Oil & Gas Corporation, where she served as treasurer and controller for the family-owned business for 24 years. She was a trusted employee, confidant and friend, first to founder Joe Walter and later to his son Rusty, whom she considered an adopted brother. When Herrmann was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998, her husband Mike and her family at the energy company formed a support network. They advised her about physicians to consult and covered her work duties when she couldn’t. They admired the woman who kept her strength, humor and dignity through the trials of living with cancer. The extended family proved invaluable during her 10-year battle, but unfortunately, Herrmann succumbed to the disease in the fall of 2007. Herrmann’s story inspired the Walter family to generously fund breast cancer research at The Methodist Hospital Research Institute. The family hopes their philanthropy will motivate others to follow their lead in supporting important research that may one day produce a cure for the disease that claims more than 40,000 lives annually. The Walter’s philanthropy led to the creation of a research lab named in Herrmann’s honor. At a luncheon commemorating the opening of the Emily Herrmann Breast Cancer Research Lab in June of last year, Herrmann spoke about her disease and her gratitude to the Walters for their generosity and support throughout her illness: “… I had been at Walter Oil & Gas for 15 years when I was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998. Not only Rusty, my ‘adopted brother,’ but the entire Walter family of employees was incredibly supportive of me and my family. My oncologist, Dr. Frank E. Smith, told me that each person’s battle with cancer is different and has to be diligently followed and watched. He also told me that a positive attitude was imperative in cancer treatment and survival. I soon realized that a battle with cancer was bigger than I was, so I immediately turned my battle over to God and entrusted my care and guidance to Him. Cancer is a terrible disease and a cure needs to be found. I will continue to pray that a cure is found soon and that this new cancer research facility will be instrumental in finding it. My thanks again to the Walters for this great honor, to Dr. Smith for his continued good care, to my precious husband for his love and support and mostly to God for allowing me to be here today …” The Walter family is just one example of family tradition at Methodist. Joseph C. Walter Jr., who is now deceased, was a mainstay for the hospital starting in the 1960s, when he served on the hospital board of directors for more than 20 years. Shortly after he joined the Methodist board, Walter became a heart patient at Methodist where he underwent two successful bypass surgeries and a heart transplant. Similarly, Rusty Walter has carried on the family tradition of service and philanthropy at Methodist. He serves as a director for both The Methodist Hospital and The Methodist Hospital Research Institute. In addition to establishing an endowed chair in cardiovascular disease, Walter’s sister Carole Looke and his mother Elizabeth Keeney, serve on the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center Council. The council is comprised of community leaders devoted to raising awareness and advocacy for the work of the heart center. “Everyone can become involved in some way in helping find solutions for today’s health care issues,” Walter said. “My family has been impacted by these diseases, and I want to help work toward solutions.” 䡲
22 䡲 VOLUME 5, NUMBER 1
METHODISTHEALTH.COM
