| ||
| Vol. 23, No. 15 |
| August 15, 2001 |
|
FROM THE PRESIDENT When the flooding caused by Tropical Storm Allison took Houston by surprise on June 8 and 9, the Texas Medical Center was armed and ready with the Rice University/Texas Medical Center Brays Bayou Flood ALERT System.
A unique early-warning system that uses the Internet, photography and radar to provide several hours' warning of imminent flooding, the system is an assist device allowing institutional administration, safety, facilities management and security teams to plan for alternate patient care and power sources, if needed.
The system has successfully assisted TMC institutions in circumventing flood situations in the past. However, in the case of Tropical Storm Allison's aftermath, no technology currently exists that could have provided adequate warning to fight a flood of such massive proportions, which is estimated to occur only once every 500 years.
The article on page 1 of this issue of TMC News provides more details about the flood alert system.
***** I would also like to take a moment to note a milestone for one of the Texas Medical Center's valued institutions. The Ronald McDonald House of Houston recently celebrated its 20th anniversary.
Each year, thousands of children travel to Houston to be treated for serious illness. Their families may experience worry and anxiety, due to lengthy hospital stays, months of outpatient treatment and the added, and sometimes unexpected, expense of being away from home for so long. In addition, Ronald McDonald House Houston guests find support and camaraderie in other families staying at the House, as they are also experiencing similar childhood illnesses.
The Ronald McDonald House of Houston provides comfort and safety as a home-away-from-home for these children and their families.
In 1978, Ronald McDonald House Houston was launched by a group of parents and friends, many of whom had experienced the trauma of childhood illness in their own families. Now, it is one of 276 Houses in 19 countries.
Located at 1907 Holcombe Blvd., the three-story atrium brick building includes 50 private bedrooms, and eight station kitchen, a special needs kitchen, dining room, meeting areas, business offices, resident manager quarters, playrooms, laundry, an outside play area, and even a school room.
Families who stay at Ronald McDonald House Houston are asked to make a small donation and assist in the House's maintenance. The donations range from $5.00 to $20.00 per day. If it is not possible for the families to meet the requested cost of the donation, their stay is free.
Collected donations total less than 20 percent of the cost to operate the House. The shortfall is covered by charitable contributions from individuals, companies, and foundations.
Congratulations to Ronald McDonald House Houston on this marked occasion. Thank you for the support you have given pediatric patients in the Texas Medical Center. We are looking forward to celebrating many more milestones with you in the years to come.
©2006 Texas Medical Center E-Mail: tmcinfo@texmedctr.tmc.edu URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/08_15_01/page_21.html |