NEW YORK, NY, 5 May 2020—In response to the COVID-19 crisis, Deloitte is donating unused ticket balances on Southwest Airlines® to the University of California’s academic health systems to support medical professionals travelling to treat COVID-19 patients within the state of California.
The COVID-19 pandemic has severely strained health and hospital systems around the world.
says Michele Parmelee, Deloitte Global Chief People and Purpose Officer.
One way for Deloitte to make an impact that matters in this crisis is to help connect medical professionals to the communities with the greatest needs. Working with Southwest Airlines, we have developed a creative solution that allows us to donate Deloitte’s unused ticket balances to fund the travel of medical professionals to the frontlines of this fight.
In times like now, it’s wonderful to see one of our top corporate partners provide critical travel support to organisations fighting on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
said Kevin Sullivan, Senior Director of Southwest Business.
Southwest remains committed to putting its Hearts in action by helping those serving on the front line and partnering with organisations to ensure medical personnel are able to reach areas where they are needed the most.
By joining forces with Southwest Airlines, Deloitte’s donation is helping to reduce the travel costs of medical professionals flying to and from the six University of California health systems in the state. With offices and professionals located in more than 150 countries and territories around the world, Deloitte is one of the largest travel buyers globally. As a result, Deloitte is in the process of donating approximately US$1 million unused ticket balances across multiple airlines to assist frontline workers travelling to COVID-19 hotspots, as well as to facilitate the transportation of personal protective equipment and medical supplies to areas of greatest need.
Deloitte’s multi-pronged, global approach to its COVID-19 response focusses on making an everyday impact through direct donations to organisations fighting the pandemic, collaborating with clients and suppliers on innovative medical solutions, supporting nonprofit and community partners in need, rolling out or expanding employee giving programmes and supporting government response efforts.
About Deloitte
“Deloitte,” “us,” “we” and “our” refer to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte organization”). DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms and related entities are legally separate and independent entities, which cannot obligate or bind each other in respect of third parties. DTTL and each DTTL member firm and related entity is liable only for its own acts and omissions, and not those of each other. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more.
Deloitte provides industry-leading audit and assurance, tax and legal, consulting, financial advisory, and risk advisory services to nearly 90% of the Fortune Global 500® and thousands of private companies. Our professionals deliver measurable and lasting results that help reinforce public trust in capital markets, enable clients to transform and thrive, and lead the way toward a stronger economy, a more equitable society and a sustainable world. Building on its 175-plus year history, Deloitte spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloitte’s approximately 415,000 people worldwide make an impact that matters at www.deloitte.com.
About University of California Health
University of California Health is one of the nation’s largest academic health systems. It is comprised of six academic health centers, six medical schools, and 13 health professional schools. Each year, it provides care to more than 375,000 people through its emergency departments, admits more than 172,000 people for inpatient care and provides more than 7.6 million outpatient visits.
Press contact(s):
Steve Dutton
Deloitte Global Communications
Tel: +1 202 738 7586
Mobile: +1 202 734 3207
sdutton@deloitte.com