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Recovering From Tropical Storm Allison: An Update on Building Repairs Basement Areas Demolition and clean up of the basement areas and Rayzor lounge is near completion. Building materials and equipment in the basements and sub-basements of the Anderson, Cullen, Jewish, and Jones buildings were badly damaged, and further compromised by rapid growth of mold. The building materials and damaged air handling equipment have been removed to ensure that the space is restored in a manner that will ensure safe indoor air quality. The long-term plan for restoration of these areas is to use the space to support non-essential functions. High volume pumps will be placed in the sub-basement as part of a multifaceted flood protection plan. The basement then will be renovated for an enlarged cafeteria and kitchen, bookstore, Credit Union, housekeeping offices and storage, maintenance shops, and multiple conference rooms. On a short-term schedule, the cafeteria function is scheduled to move to Rayzor lounge during the first and second week of October. This will be a temporary location, until the new facility in the basement is completed. Labs, administrative offices, and classrooms have been temporarily relocated. Lab space, including freezer storage, is being developed at the former Nabisco site on Holcombe Blvd. This space will be occupied beginning July 2002. Options for office and classroom space are being evaluated in buildings within the main TMC campus and can be ready for occupancy early 2002. First Floor Cullen Building The Cullen Auditorium is scheduled to reopen by the second week of October. The Jaworski classroom and Room 111A will be out of service for at least two more months. A new air handling unit, to supply fresh air to these areas, has been ordered. Because these units were outdated and located in the older Cullen Building, replacement equipment had been difficult to locate. Flood Control Measures Baylor has been proactive on flood protection since 1976, when a severe flood impacted the Texas Medical Center. Since then, the College has continued to implement flood protection measures based on the Flood of 1976 and information obtained from the most recent TMC flood prevention study conducted in 1998. In response to Tropical Storm Allison, the following measures have now been taken. Water from Tropical Storm Allison penetrated the Main Baylor campus at several locations, with the majority of the water entering the facility at two sites. Below the main entrance of the Cullen Building, water exceeded beyond the height of the flood logs that were placed on the ramp to the basement door. The ramp is now protected with a temporary wall and sand bags at a height two feet above the estimated flood level of the Storm. The other site is between the Jewish and Cullen buildings. At the time of the Storm, this area was protected by a berm, which was designed after the 1976 flood and was intended to keep water from flowing into the basement level of the Jewish building. The waters flowed above the height of this berm. A new berm of greater height is now complete; this berm is considerably higher than the maximum flood level of the most recent storm. In addition, flood doors will be placed in key areas throughout the campus. The services of architectural and engineering consultants have been engaged to evaluate the campus and prepare a detailed plan for protection against all types of potential catastrophe. Refer to future issues of Inside Information for more updates on Baylor’s recovery efforts as a result of Tropical Storm Allison. American Heart Walk Scheduled Last October, many BCM employees signed up for the American Heart Association’s annual walk. Our 152 walkers helped Baylor rank in the top ten teams, raising a total of $8,119. This year we plan to do it again! The American Heart Walk is a national event held to increase awareness of the importance of walking as a heart healthy exercise while raising funds to continue the American Heart Association’s fight against heart disease and stroke. This year’s walk is on Saturday, November 3. The Association will donate the first $250,000 raised from national proceeds to the 911 Disaster Fund, which is manged by the International Association of Fire Fighters. Contact Tonia Carter at lcarter@bcm.tmc.edu or 713-798-3314 for more information. Baylor Internal Medicine Consultants (BIMC) BIMC, the outpatient clinic for Baylor’s Department of Medicine, has opened a new facility that offers the best in patient convenience. A directory of physicians at the entrance and check in and check out services on both sides of the lobby are some of the new changes to the clinic. In addition, front desk and nursing staff have begun to wear coordinated uniforms to give the clinic an even more professional image and to acknowledge the clinic’s team approach to patient care. The clinic provides clinic space and staff for 14 different specialty physicians who treat private and clinical study patients. Located on the eleventh floor of Smith Tower, the clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. For appointments or additional information, call at 713-394-3800.
Support at Blood Centers Helps Injured and Beyond Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is returning to normal operations after the tragic events at the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania. The decision came after officials received word from America’s Blood Centers, the national organization responsible for coordinating shipments of blood into New York City and Washington, D.C., that blood inventories in both cities were at adequate levels. It is important to note The Blood Center never received a request for assistance from either city. In the three-day period September 11 through September 13, 2001, The Blood Center collected 7,220 units of blood—enough to restore its inventory and build a reserve in the event assistance is needed in any city. A normal three-day collection would be approximately 2,100 units. Those who wish to donate and have not been able are encouraged to continue their supportive spirit. The need continues and your donation will be appreciated when you visit one of The Blood Center’s fixed donor facilities. For further information, call 713-790-1200, 1-888-482-5663, or visit The Blood Center at www.giveblood.org.
BCM honors the Heroes of the recent United States tragedy and those who have been affected by the loss locally, nationally, and around the world.
How To Discuss the Tragedy with Children In the wake of terrorist attacks on the United States, Americans are struggling with feelings of shock, fear, and helplessness. Children are most vulnerable during this time to the effects of the violent images they see on television. It is important for parents to pull themselves away from the news coverage, turn the television off, and talk to their families, according to Steven Pierrel, Ph.D., a psychologist and Baylor Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine. “We need to listen to the concerns of our children and learn what meaning they are attaching to these events,” Pierrel said. “It is our responsibility to talk with them, share our perspective and provide a place of comfort and security as they come to grips with these tragic events.” There are several ways parents and others who care for children can help alleviate the emotional consequences of trauma. The American Psychological Association suggests spending more time with children and let them be more dependent on you during the months following the trauma—for example, allowing your child to cling to you more often than usual. Physical affection is very comforting to children who have experienced trauma. Provide play experiences to help relieve tension. Younger children in particular might find it easier to share their ideas and feelings about the event through non-verbal activities such as drawing. Encourage older children to speak with you, and with one another, about their thoughts and feelings. This helps reduce their confusion and anxiety related to the trauma. Respond to questions in terms they can comprehend. Reassure them repeatedly that you care about them and that you understand their fears and concerns. Keep regular schedules for activities such as eating, playing, and going to bed to help restore a sense of security and normalcy. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry also recommends the following guidelines for minimizing the negative effects of watching the news: Make sure you have adequate time and a quiet place to talk if you anticipate that the news is going to be troubling or upsetting to the child. Ask the child what he or she has heard and what questions he/she might have. Provide reassurance regarding his or her own safety in simple words emphasizing that you are going to be there to keep him or her safe. Look for signs that the news may have triggered fears or anxieties such as sleeplessness, fears, bedwetting, crying, or talking about being afraid. “Parents should remember that it is important to talk to their child or adolescent about what he or she has seen or heard,” Pierrel said. “This allows parents to lessen the potential negative effects of the news and to discuss their own ideas and values. While children cannot be completely protected from outside events, parents can help them feel safe and help them to better understand the world around them.” Food Drive To Be Held Help Baylor contribute to the Houston Food Bank by donating perishable items on October 15. Bins will be located in the lobbies of the Alkek and Cullen buildings, as well as the Cashier’s Office and in the Office of Public Affairs. Food collected will be given to the Texas Medical Center Food Drive. For information, call 713-798-4712. Town Meeting On Pollution To Be Held Houston-area residents can share their concerns about how pollution might be affecting their health with health professionals and government officials at an environmental town meeting, on Saturday, October 20. Baylor College of Medicine’s Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Research Center is hosting the event at the University of Houston Hilton Hotel from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The event is one of a series of regional town meetings organized by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) to encourage a public dialogue on pollution and public health. Lunch is provided for those who pre-register. For more program information and to pre-register, visit http://chronic.bcm.tmc.edu/townmeeting, or call 713-798-1053. Continuing Medical Education October 4-6: 9th Innovations in Urologic Practice
October 6-7: Psychopharmacology Update 2001 October 12-13: Telemedicine National Conference
For online CME activities, visit www.bcm.tmc.edu/cme/.
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