FROM THE PRESIDENT

The Texas Medical Center joins the throngs of people in this great nation, in mourning the loss after the recent attack on our country's East Coast.

Many people lost family and friends. Although the wounds have not yet healed, our country is strong, and Americans have shown a deep commitment to one another. But we have so much to be grateful for, and at President Bush's urging, people have returned to their daily routines, and a sense of normalcy is being restored.

The support of Houstonians, many who have donated money, food, time and blood, will help ensure that this country lands on its feet. The Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center reported that they had set single-day and 6-day records for donating, and during the 6-day period, from Sept. 11 through Sept. 16, they collected more than 10,200 units of blood. In addition, more than half of all donations were made by first-time donors.

During this same period, the Texas Medical Center was on a heightened state of alert, and took the proper precautions in keeping with emergency plans of each institution.

Let us remember that it is important to do all we possibly can to assure the safety of all patients, visitors and employees in the Texas Medical Center.

Should violence or threats occur, or rumors of violence or threats take place, contact the command center of each institution, or the Texas Medical Center Security Command Center at (713) 795-0000.

This is also the sixth annual Women's Health Focus edition of Texas Medical Center News. It is fitting that we celebrate the accomplishments of health care providers, educators, and researchers, both male and female, working on subject matters dealing with women's issues at the 42 Texas Medical Center institutions. In addition, support staff, in areas such as finance, planning, security, community relations, and administration, are applauded for their hard work that allows these health care pursuits to continue.

The people and subjects covered in this issue are representative of the thousands of talented individuals on the Texas Medical Center campus, the state, the nation, and the world.

For example, Dr. Richard Finnell, director of the Texas A&M Institute of Biosciences and Technology, is working with a team to eradicate neural tube birth defects. Rebecca Schwartz, The Methodist Hospital's new director of cancer services, and a breast cancer survivor herself, co-founded the Young Survival Coalition, an advocacy group for young women with breast cancer.

Then there are folks like Harris County Hospital District employee Angela Price-Hardeman, who spends her free time away from her job as a pharmacy office manager at Harris-Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital, playing the dual positions of wide receiver and punt returner on the local Women's Professional Football League team.

Without the contributions of the many talented individuals profiled in this issue, and those like them who work throughout the Texas Medical Center, our exceptional efforts in patient care, research and education would certainly be diminished. We salute your accomplishments and offer our sincerest appreciation.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/10_01_01/page_36.html