Medical Center of Plano CEO Shares Message of Hope, Life Lessons from the “Lost Boys of Sudan”

The holiday season has a way of reminding us of what is truly important. Family and friends; health and wellness; laughter, love and our very life, become more precious this time of year. Too often, and sadly, we take those things for granted. And then “life” happens and puts everything into perspective.

Three of our staff members at HCA Healthcare’s Medical Center of Plano (MCP) experienced devastating loss at an early age. David Deng, David Munduk and Bior Bior were just children when they were separated from their families by violence and civil war in south Sudan.  Our colleagues were three of an estimated 20,000 boys who fled their homes and traveled by foot across the war-torn country in search of food and safety. Many didn’t survive, most resettled in refugee camps, and some were offered opportunity in the United States.

A number of the Sudanese boys were relocated to Dallas, and in true HCA Healthcare fashion, we offered to help. I’m so grateful to be part of an organization that practices what it preaches – above all else, commitment to the care and improvement of human life. Fortunately – for us – three of those extraordinary men became members of the MCP family. More than 10 years later, they are still with us – thriving in their personal and professional lives; healthy, happy and ensuring our patients have the best experience possible.

Their story has inspired all of us at Medical Center of Plano to value what’s most important in life, not just during the holidays, but every day. They have certainly helped put things into perspective. And for that, we are grateful.

You may know them as “The Lost Boys,” but to us, David, David and Bior are home.  Watch as they share their journey of tragedy, hardship and hope:

Charles Gressle

CEO, Medical Center of Plano