Information for Patients: Clinic locations, available services, physician directory

During UTMB's recovery from Hurricane Ike, many of the clinical services normally offered on the Galveston campus have been temporarily suspended or relocated. However, most of UTMB’s mainland-based clinics and facilities—and several Galveston sites—are open to serve patients during this time of need. Many physicians and other caregivers are serving patients at alternate locations, and special arrangements are in place for special needs patients such as expectant mothers, cancer and transplant patients, children, shut-in, and others.

For details, visit www.utmbhealthcare.org.

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Galveston Regional Maternal & Child Health Program re-opening

The Galveston Regional Maternal & Child Health Program is re-opening December 1, 2008 on the 7th Floor of the University Hospitals Clinics building, located behind the UTMB Emergency Room. The Regional Maternal & Child Health Program provides prenatal care for pregnant families, and provides family planning and well-woman health services. Click here for more information.

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Further inpatient admissions temporarily suspended

In the interest of patient safety, UTMB today has temporarily suspended further inpatient admissions and surgeries because air cultures in four of six operating rooms showed unacceptable air quality. Patients who have been admitted to the hospital this morning will be allowed to remain as inpatients but further inpatient admissions, except for obstetrics and newborns, will be suspended until conditions improve, perhaps as soon as next week. The remaining two operating rooms are not affected and will continue to be used for newborn deliveries. Hospitals monitor air quality as standard procedure and it is not unusual to experience this type of problem when bringing them back into operation after a significant period of inactivity. Restoration of the affected operating rooms is expected to take at least six days.

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John Sealy Hospital reopened Monday, Nov. 24

UTMB reopened John Sealy Hospital at 7 a.m. Monday, Nov. 24. The hospital will initially operate 200 beds to serve women and infants, children, the Acute Care for the Elderly unit, a medical-surgical unit, and transplant and critical care services. Six operating rooms and four procedure rooms will be opened as well. Read more in the newsroom.

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UTMB Ob-Gyn Clinic returning to Galveston Island

Monday, Nov. 24, the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology is pleased to once again offer outpatient services in Galveston, from a clinic reopening on the UTMB campus. Get details in the UTMB newsroom...

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Celebrating the Galveston National Laboratory

A sizeable audience gathered in Levin Hall to celebrate the dedication of the Galveston National Laboratory (GNL) on Tuesday, Nov. 11. One of just two national biocontainment laboratories constructed with funding awarded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease/National Institutes of Health, the lab is a testament to years of careful planning, design and construction. Local, state and national dignitaries were on hand to celebrate the completion of this facility, which will help catapult UTMB to the forefront of the national stage in terms infectious diseases research. A video of the event is available at http://www.utmb.edu/gnl/day/

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School of Nursing wastes no time returning from Ike

Almost as soon as Hurricane Ike struck, administrators at the School of Nursing realized that their disaster recovery plan was just not going to work and that they needed to move swiftly to deal with the damage left behind by Hurricane Ike. Click here to read how the school’s leaders took action to make sure that students could continue their education.

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UTMB trauma center earns top honors nationally for survival rate

UTMB’s Level 1 Trauma Center has been ranked by the National Trauma Data Bank as first in survival rate among all Level 1 trauma centers in the nation. “This is an extraordinary accomplishment and everyone at UTMB should be proud of their contribution in helping to make our trauma center exemplary,” said Dr. Bill Mileski, chief of trauma services in the Department of Surgery. The ranking was announced Nov. 5. A level I trauma center provides the highest level of surgical care, skilled medical specialists and equipment to treat the most severely injured patients. Although activities at the UTMB Trauma Center are currently suspended due to the effects of Hurricane Ike, conditions are being assessed regularly as part of UTMB’s recovery process. Patients currently presenting in the emergency room are being treated, stabilized and transferred.

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Children can get stressed out, too

In their Nov. 5 Keeping Kids Healthy column in the Galveston Daily News, UTMB Drs. Sally Robinson and Keith Bly write that children also get stressed by the fallout caused by Hurricane Ike. Read the column at http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=a1f398528201944b

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Drs. Hankins and Hirschfeld named top doctors for women

Dr. Gary Hankins, chairman of the department of obstetrics and gynecology, and Dr. Robert M.A. Hirschfeld, chairman of the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at UTMB, have both been named to the list of America’s top doctors for women in the November issue of Women’s Health. Only 16 physicians nationwide were included. Hankins is highly regarded for his work in high-risk pregnancy care and research; Hirschfeld is a leading expert on bipolar disorder and depression. Read about Hankins and Hirschfeld in the UTMB newsroom.

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Halloween carnival provides fun respite for Galveston children

Galveston children, decked out as butterflies, fairies, super heroes and more, enjoyed the children’s Halloween carnival with their parents on Friday afternoon in the Moody Medical Library plaza. All the children were winners in fun games and a costume contest. Healthy snacks and candy were distributed to children still grappling with the enormity of Hurricane Ike.  Also, volunteers were on hand to distribute school supplies, clothing and food to families victimized by Ike. The event was sponsored by several Osler Student Societies and UTMB Children’s Hospital.  Click here to see pictures from the event.

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State and local dignitaries tour UTMB campus

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, State Sen. Steve Ogden and State Rep. Warren Chisum, along with local legislators, Sen. Mike Jackson and Reps. Craig Eiland and Larry Taylor, met with President David Callender and other UTMB leaders on campus Oct. 28. The visit included a tour led by Mike Shriner, an account of Hurricane Ike damages, and information about the institution’s current progress and future plans. The tour ended with a short press conference in front of John Sealy Hospital. The group was then joined by Galveston Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas, City Manager Steve LeBlanc, and representatives from the Sealy & Smith Foundation, the Moody Foundation and Landry’s Restaurants Inc.

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University team flies high at recent Wings Over Houston

A group of faculty, staff and students earned high praise this past weekend for their work at the annual Wings Over Houston Air Show. In addition to providing first aid services, UTMB volunteers hosted a preventive medicine tent that provided health screenings, served on lost and found teams, handed out information about UTMB services and the Aerospace Medicine clinic and program. Greg Shaskan in PMCH helped coordinate the volunteer effort, which included people from UTMB, NASA, the Texas Medical Center and others; the event was attended by an estimated 80,000 people.

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University Eye Center reopens in Galveston

Lost your glasses during the storm? Need an updated prescription? Good news … UTMB’s department of ophthalmology and visual sciences has reopened its Galveston offices to provide a full range of ophthalmology and optical services. The optical center features a certified optometrist for eye exams and contact lens fittings and a full selection of glasses. Dr. Bernard Godley, chairman of the department of ophthalmology and visual sciences, said, “Our team of caring professionals appreciates everyone’s patience as we worked to fully restore services.” Read the full story here or visit www.utmbhealthcare.org.

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UTMB opens cardiology clinic in Texas City; repairs continue at Galveston facilities

UTMB cardiologists are now serving patients at a new site in Texas City as repairs to the Hurricane Ike-damaged Galveston location continue. The full-service cardiology clinic, located at 6807 Emmett F. Lowry Expressway, Suite 310, is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday. For more information, call 409-933-0017 or visit www.utmbhealthcare.org.

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Students return to UTMB

Back-to-school for medical, nursing, graduate and health professions students

More than a thousand students returned to classes at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston on Monday, Oct. 20, just a month and a week after most fled the island in the wake of Hurricane Ike.

A total of 460 first and second year medical students, 450 biomedical graduate students, as well as nursing and health professions students gathered at UTMB’s Levin Hall at noon where they were welcomed back by Dr. Garland Anderson, UTMB provost and dean of medicine.

“This experience will change you; it will make you stronger,” Anderson said.

He also said that despite the visible changes on campus, the spirit of UTMB and the dedication and determination of its people had not changed and continued to be his inspiration.

Students cheered and applauded following an a capella rendition of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” by David Mitchell, program coordinator of the Jesse Tree.

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UTMB Family Medicine continues to augment available services, sites

UTMB and Family Medicine providers are now available to see patients at several locations, including 6710 Stewart Road in Galveston, where the clinic has moved from temporary quarters back to its regular offices. At the Stewart Road site, other UTMB specialists are offering services in pediatrics, dermatology, orthopedics, vascular services and psychiatry. Family Medicine has also begun to offer an extended house call service. Call (409) 772-2166 or visit links below for details.

 

:: Get more information on Family Medicine sites and services

:: Read Friday's clinic article in the Galveston County Daily News

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UTMB transplant patients can get treatment at Friendswood clinic

UTMB has established a transitional multi-organ transplant clinic at the Friendswood Pediatric Associates, Adult, Specialty Care clinic at 128 West Parkwood. UTMB’s transplant patients, both pre- and post-transplant, can continue to receive treatment under the care of UTMB transplant physicians. Plans to reactivate the program in Galveston are progressing. Current or potential transplant patients should contact the Texas Transplant Center directly at 877-TX2-CNTR (877-892-2687) or 409-772-1451. Visit the Texas Transplant Center's interim web page.

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UTMB University Eye Center serving patients in Friendswood

Physicians and staff at the University Eye Center, 400 W. Parkwood Ave. in Friendswood, are ready to help patients with a wide range of eye conditions and services. In the photo, taken during a recent ribbon cutting hosted by the Friendswood Chamber of Commerce, are (left to right) Sammye Hesser, Dr. Garvin Davis, Dr. Praveena Gupta, Dr. John Davis, Dr. Eric van Kuijk, Gibran Khursid, Dr. Manuj Kapur, departmental chairman Dr. Bernard Godley, Dr. Brian Wong, and Dr. Oday Alsheikh.

While the Galveston location did not sustain serious storm damage and will reopen soon, patients who have an appointment or surgery scheduled, or who need post-surgery follow-up, are encouraged to call the Friendswood center. The University Eye Center is also welcoming new patients. For more information, call (281) 996-7564, or visit www.UTMBeyecenter.com.

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Entrance to clinical complex now switched from Waverley Smith Pavilion to John Sealy Hospital main entrance

During our ongoing renovation and restoration, the safety of all personnel on campus continues to be a primary objective. Due to ongoing repairs throughout the hospital complex to many first floor entrances—including Children’s Hospital, the clinics building and John Sealy Annex--employees are now being requested to enter the hospital complex via the John Sealy Hospital main entrance, rather than the former access point through the Waverley Smith Pavilion entrance.

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Administrative Leave – Weather (ALW) EXTENDED thru Nov. 14!

Effective Oct. 8, 2008, ALW will continue through Nov 14th for all employees who are available to work, IF certain conditions apply including the inoperability of work facilities and work assignments not conducive to telecommuting (as determined by their Business Unit Leader). 100% (40 hrs. max) for each week from Oct 4th thru Nov 14th

ALW is used only to supplement employees’ time so they can continue to receive fully appointed hours per pay period. If using ALW, employees may not record more than their appointed hours per pay period with any combination of pay codes.

Once ALW ceases, employees may use their accruals (except sick leave) to achieve 40 hours per week, if desired.

Click here for more details on the ALW policy and to view a list of FAQs.

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UTMB pediatric urgent care now open adjacent to UTMB Emergency Department

A 24-hour urgent care facility for children opened at 8 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 9, at UTMB.

“Appropriate medical care for children has always been a priority for UTMB,” said Dr. Christine Turley, vice chair for clinical pediatric services. “As the schools have opened and families with children have returned to the island there is an increased need for pediatric care including minor illnesses and injuries.”

The urgent care facility is adjacent to the university’s Emergency Department on 800 Harborside Drive. It is fully staffed with pediatricians and pediatric nurses to care for common illnesses and injuries such as sprains, coughs, colds, fevers, dehydration and diarrhea. Walk-in patients are welcome.

John Sealy Hospital is not admitting patients due to damage caused by Hurricane Ike. Individuals with serious injuries are being transported to nearby medical facilities for inpatient care. For more information, call 409-772-2222.

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Missed the Oct. 7 Town Hall meeting? Watch it now…

On Tuesday, Oct. 7, UTMB President David L. Callender and interim UT System Chancellor Dr. Kenneth Shine hosted a post-Hurricane Ike Town Hall to an overflow audience in Levin Hall auditorium. We hope you were able to join us. However, if you missed the meeting, it will be rebroadcast on campus cable TV channel 53 for the following two weeks, starting midday Wednesday. The presentation and a webcast from the event are also now available on the Town Hall web site.

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Looking for the UTMB Hurricane Ike emergency site?

The information and resources posted during Hurricane Ike are all still available, but they have been moved to a new location in an effort to restore normal web operations. Click here for the emergency information and resource site.

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Delivery Of Perishable / Refrigerated Materials

Departments expecting refrigerated or perishable materials must notify Central Receiving at 772-5341 or 772-0454 with the tracking number, shipper and delivery carrier to ensure materials are accepted and not refused during the building renovation period. For more information about all Logistics services please visit http://www.utmb.edu/logistics/.

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