FROM THE PRESIDENT

It's often in times of need that we realize how many friends and how much support we truly have. During the past month, the outpouring of assistance for the Texas Medical Center has been overwhelming. Elected officials, representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Institutes of Health, and charitable organizations have all stepped forward to offer aid.

For example, a Texas congressional delegation led by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison visited the Texas Medical Center recently for a firsthand look at the damage caused by Tropical Storm Allison. After viewing the extensive losses suffered by many of the institutions, the Congress members vowed to work together in representing the needs of the Texas Medical Center to those in Washington. Democrats and Republicans put party preferences aside, and came together as Texans who all have the same goal - to see the Texas Medical Center restored to preflood conditions. The group vowed to lobby tirelessly for additional funding for the Texas Medical Center, making sure that every available dollar is delivered.

Currently, the delegation is requesting that FEMA lower or waive the 25 percent local share requirement to take into account the unprecedented damage to Texas Medical Center institutions. Traditionally, FEMA pays 75 percent of damages, and the institutions suffering the damage pay the remaining 25 percent, sometimes with state and local assistance. This cost-sharing arrangement can be altered, however, if the President gives his approval.

The delegation is also working with the National Institutes of Health to get unallocated NIH funds for Texas Medical Center institutions' research projects that have been compromised by the flood. Many local researchers have already been awarded extensions on grant deadlines from NIH.

Meanwhile, FEMA officials have established a satellite office at 2450 Holcombe in the Texas Medical Center. FEMA officials will work with hospitals, universities and other TMC institutions to assess the flood damage and restore institutions to functioning order. Like a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital unit, they have flown in from around the country, set up shop, and vowed to stay until everything is fixed. Currently, FEMA officials and their state counterparts from the State of Texas Division of Emergency Management are meeting with representatives from various TMC institutions to set the recovery process wheels in motion. No doubt there will be many meetings, inspections, and the like, but the job will get done, and when it's finished, the Texas Medical Center will be better than ever.

As we go about the business of cleaning up and starting back into full operations, let us all remember that as disheartening as this experience has been, we have many friends to help ease the burden. The Texas Medical Center community, with help from its supporters, can and will achieve a full recovery and more. Our spirit of cooperation innovation and determination will see us through.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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E-Mail: tmcinfo@texmedctr.tmc.edu
URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/07_15_01/page_17.html