Memorial Hermann Life Flight Teaches Students at Dr. “Red” Duke Elementary about Their School’s Namesake

As part of the “40 Years of Life Flight, 40 Days of Thanks” campaign in honor of the 40th anniversary of Memorial Hermann Life Flight®, Life Flight crew members recently visited Dr. James “Red” Duke Elementary School to educate students about the important service the air ambulance program provides the community. They also taught the kids about the program’s founder, who is also their school’s namesake, and shared some important injury prevention tips.

“It’s essential that our young children understand the history of our campus, which includes the legacy of Dr. James ‘Red’ Duke,” said Fulvia Shaw, principal of Duke Elementary. “We have high expectations for every student that walks through the doors of our campus, and want them to have clarity in regards to what it truly means to be a Duke Elementary Bulldog. We work daily to equip our students with the necessary tools to be successful leaders so they will have limitless opportunities to leave a huge impact on this world, just like Dr. Duke.”

In addition to watching a video about who Dr. Duke was, the students got to ask the crew members questions and received a lesson on bicycle safety. Students in grades first through fifth will also be receiving a complimentary bicycle helmet, courtesy of the Memorial Hermann Red Duke Trauma Institute.

“While it was a wonderful opportunity to share Dr. Duke’s story and Life Flight’s journey with the students, it was also a perfect chance to discuss safe bicycle habits,” said Sarah Beth Abbott, Injury Prevention and Outreach Education Coordinator with Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital. “There are over 625 helmets that will be distributed to the students, and educational material will be given to the parents which includes how to properly fit a helmet. A properly fitted helmet is the best protection against head and brain injury.