Philips, Philips Foundation, and MedShare Launch Program to Strengthen U.S. Healthcare Readiness for Natural Disasters
- Designed to establish a forward-thinking, disaster-preparedness model that ensures rapid response and continuity of care during emergencies
- Provides financial aid along with advanced ultrasound systems and essential mother-and-child care products to meet urgent needs in disaster-affected areas

Hurricane Rescue Operation
Unlike traditional reactive disaster response programs, this initiative prioritizes disaster preparedness as a strategy to save lives and create continuity of care. MedShare will have Philips medical equipment and other essential products on hand, ensuring these resources are available for rapid deployment when natural disasters disrupt access to healthcare. Prompted by the critical need highlighted during Hurricane Helene in 2024 [1], this strategic partnership has been designed to supply essential medical equipment and supplies to enable continuity of care to people and communities in need during times of crisis.
“By working hand-in-hand with Philips and the Philips Foundation, we’re not only staging life-saving medical equipment for rapid deployment following disasters, but we’re also reimagining sustainability in emergency response,� said Stacey Koehnke, CEO and Executive Director of MedShare International. “Together, we’re building an innovative, resilient, forward-looking system that saves lives today and strengthens response capacity for the challenges of tomorrow.�
The need for a proactive and sustainable approach to disaster response has never been more urgent. Natural disasters are increasingly compromising access to healthcare across
Philips
“Every human life holds immeasurable value, and that belief drives everything we do,� said Jeff DiLullo, Chief Region Leader, Philips North America. “In times of crisis, access to quality healthcare becomes even more critical. Our partnership with MedShare and the Philips Foundation reflects our deep commitment to using innovation and collaboration to protect and uplift vulnerable communities when they need us most.�
Philips Foundation will provide financial aid and strategic guidance, drawing on over a decade of experience in disaster relief. In 2024 alone, the Foundation helped respond to major crises across the world, including the Noto Peninsula Earthquake in
Eddine Sarroukh, Head of the Philips Foundation, stated: “By combining Philips� healthcare expertise with MedShare’s extensive network, we are responding to disasters and building a resilient system that supports continuity of care for the most vulnerable communities. It's great that we are teaming up with a like-minded partner to establish a disaster-preparedness model for rapid response and continuity during emergencies, we hope to see scaled.�
This two-year pilot program will serve as a model for future expansion, with a focus on durability and scalability. A key component of the program is the reusability of the donated medical equipment, which will be shipped back to MedShare for reprocessing and redeployment after each emergency. This approach not only maximizes the impact of each device but also sets a new standard, supporting reuse and encouraging environmentally practices in disaster response.
[1] Fierce Healthcare (2025). 'We can't do this alone': Hospitals share lessons from Hurricane Helene to prepare for extreme weather events
[2] NOAA (2024).
About Royal Philips
Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people’s health and well-being through meaningful innovation. Philips� patient- and people-centric innovation leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver personal health solutions for consumers and professional health solutions for healthcare providers and their patients in the hospital and the home. Headquartered in
About Philips Foundation
Philips Foundation is a registered non-profit organization established in 2014 � with a mission to provide access to quality healthcare for underserved communities across the globe. By leveraging Philips� capabilities and combining them with the experience and expertise of non-governmental organizations and other community-focused and impact-driven enterprises, Philips Foundation helps create innovative pathways to open up affordable healthcare for communities most in need. By also partnering with innovative social entrepreneurs rooted in the local ecosystem, Philips Foundation aims to increase access to healthcare for 100 million people a year by 2030. More information can be found at
About MedShare
MedShare, headquartered in
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For further information, please contact:
Avi Dines
Philips
Tel.: +17816903814
[email protected]
Yannick Eshuijs
Philips Foundation
Tel. : +31 1852 6633
E-mail: [email protected]
Source: Royal Philips