Pennington Biomedical Reflects on 20th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina

August 29, 2025 · Baton Rouge, LA

---

Employees organized diabetes relief efforts and served more than 50 shelters across Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi

As Louisiana reflects on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Pennington Biomedical Research Center is remembering the  efforts of its faculty, staff, and volunteers who mobilized in 2005 to support evacuees, provide lifesaving diabetes care to those in need.

Shortly after the storm made landfall, employees began looking for ways to help and knew that people displaced with diabetes had special needs that Pennington Biomedical could meet. Employees rallied to launch a massive diabetes relief effort to help thousands affected by the storm’s devastation.

“When Hurricane Katrina struck, our community came together like never before to help in any way possible,” said Dr. John Kirwan, Executive Director of Pennington Biomedical. “Our team didn’t hesitate to step up – whether it was supporting displaced individuals, getting insulin into shelters, or creating thousands of diabetes care packs. These efforts reflect the compassion, resilience, and commitment to health that define Pennington Biomedical.”

2005 Diabetes Relief Effort:

• Over 100 volunteers from across Greater Baton Rouge and Louisiana worked around the clock to provide relief, supported by part-time staff members Peggy Rodriguez and Eleanor Meador, along with the Pennington Biomedical Diabetes Relief Team: Steven R. Smith, Crystal Traylor, Annie Chatellier, Milton Spaulding, Bea Winkler and Claire Hazlett.
• More than 50 shelters served across Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. On Labor Day 2005, the team visited 47 shelters in a single day, delivering insulin, glucose meters, testing supplies, and other critical items.
• Over 10,000 people with diabetes helped, based on the distribution of thousands of “care packs” and supplies. With an estimated 11 percent of the pre-Katrina Orleans and Jefferson Parish population living with diabetes, this support was essential to preventing life-threatening complications.
• More than 7,000 diabetes discharge packs distributed, containing meters, strips, insulin syringes, alcohol preps, lancets, and glucose tablets. Distribution continued well into the months following Katrina, with ongoing insulin support provided across southern Louisiana.

As Louisiana honors the resilience of its people two decades after Hurricane Katrina, Pennington Biomedical remains committed to improving health and serving the community in times of crisis.

For more on the LSU System's reflection and remebrance of Hurricane Katrina, visit https://www.lsu.edu/katrina-20th/index.php.