FROM THE PRESIDENT

In the year since floodwaters from Tropical Storm Allison, the worst ever to strike the Texas Medical Center, caused $5 billion in damage to the Houston area, including $2 billion in the Texas Medical Center, we look back and realize how far recovery efforts have come.

While many of the institutions still have hurdles to jump before their operations get completely back to normal, it is safe to say that the quality, quantity and level of patient care services remain uncompromised. Educational programs, as well, are online and on schedule. Due the flood, some research has sadly taken a detour, but slowly, steadily, and surely is getting back on track.

The John P. McGovern Museum of Health & Medical Science recovered fairly quickly from the flood; largely because of the good fortune of its building’s design and site elevation. The museum is continuing to implement backup systems for its emergency communications infrastructure in the event that such systems are needed in the future.

Thanks to the efforts of the staff at the Houston Academy of Medicine/ Harris County Medical Society who own the Jesse H. Jones Library Building, renovations of the HAM-TMC Library street level are complete. In addition, the John P. McGovern Historical Research Center will relocate to an off-site facility because the center’s historical archives were heavily damaged by the flood.

Methodist has found/built temporary homes for those services displaced by the flood, and remains fully functional. The permanent locations should be completed in another year. Also, $4 million worth of flood improvements are well under way.

St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital is currently working to protect the hospital’s perimeter, add internal compartmentalization, and maintain critical utilities. Completion of flood protection efforts are scheduled for this August, and the relocation of critical utilities by next June.

Texas Children’s Hospital has completed installation of seven additional flood doors which brings the total number to 13. Construction recently began on a new, permanent location for the biomedical department. Next, quick-connect systems for emergency generators will be developed and permanent pumps in low-level areas will be installed.

At the Texas Heart Institute, some research labs are still operating off site, but should move back in September. Flood prevention/control systems, including flood doors and fortifying walls, are currently being designed.

UT-Houston’s flood losses total approximately $111 million. A three-part story detailing UT-Houston one year after Allison is posted on UT-Houston’s Web site at www.uthouston.edu.

A master hazard mitigation plan for the entire Texas Medical Center, a vision for growth that will protect and preserve Texas Medical Center institutions for years to come, has been developed. The June 15 issue of Texas Medical Center News will feature more about this plan.

E-Mail: tmcinfo@texmedctr.tmc.edu
URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/06_01_02/page_17.html