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To MUSC Employees:
I am pleased to announce the appointment of two key administrative team positions. 

Bill Spring recently accepted the Heart Center administrator position.  He has served as interim administrator since August 2003.  Bill came to MUSC in May 2001 to accept the Heart and Vascular Center director position.  Prior to joining MUSC, he was employed with the Christus System (Catholic Health) headquartered in Dallas. 

Bill holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland and  master's degree in science from the University of Colorado. His career includes extensive experience in management of cardiovascular programs and services, and he has proven to be a very effective leader in the interim administrator role. 

Dennis Frazier recently accepted the position of administrator for facilities and capital projects. Since 1994, Dennis has been employed with Oconee Regional Medical Center and Health Systems in Milledgeville, Ga., where his responsibilities have included serving as the vice president and chief operations officer. 

He has extensive experience in the construction industry.  He holds a bachelor's degree in engineering from the U. S. Military Academy (West Point) and a master's degree in business from Georgia College and State University. Dennis will arrive July 12.

At the June 8 communications meeting Rob Fowler, chief meteorologist for Channel 2, gave the management team an update on the hurricane season outlook. Through the years, Mr. Fowler has provided the Medical Center with the most up-to-date weather information throughout hazardous weather periods, and we are deeply grateful for his outstanding service. His comments are highlighted below.

As we prepare for the hurricane season, everyone needs to be familiar with policies related to weather emergencies including: Medical Center Staffing During Emergencies and Disasters policy A-42; Medical Center Weather Emergency Plan policy A-64;  and Medical Center Human Resources Hazardous Weather and Emergencies policy #13. Also, instructions for the Employee Weather Emergency Information line (“green card”) used to enable communication of department-specific instructions to employees will soon be disseminated.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

W. Stuart Smith
Vice President for Clinical Operations and 
Executive Director, MUSC Medical Center
 

Prepare for hurricane season, check supplies 

Following an annual tradition begun in 1989, Tuesday's hospital communications meeting featured Channel 2 chief meteorologist Rob Fowler to kick off this year’s hurricane season with predictions and preparations.

“An above-average season,” Fowler reported, is the prediction from William Gray, Ph.D., professor of atmospheric science at Colorado State University. Gray has an impressive record of predicting storm activity during hurricane season and expects 14 named storms, three of which will be intense, bringing winds of 110 mph or faster.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) agrees, predicting 12 to 15 named storms, six to eight of hurricane strength, and two to four intense.

“It looks like a busy year,” Fowler said. “Make sure you are ready.”

Each of those attending the meeting received information from Channel 2 on how to develop a hurricane preparation plan. It includes a list of must-have supplies, a hurricane tracking map, hurricane terminology to understand storm reports, what to do during and after the storm, advice on how to store water, and information on protecting property before, during, and after the storm.

Using hurricane trivia, Fowler explained that there are six hurricane name lists from which each year’s named hurricanes originate. It’s not surprising to see a few familiar names repeated, he added. Particularly devastating storms have their names retired. There will not be another Hugo, he said. 

Safety and security director Alonzo Nesmith urged hospital units to stockpile items on their emergency items lists, such as flashlights, batteries, and chem sticks. He also reminded those gathered of the emergency workers tag needed to pass through barricades to get to work.

University-generated material dealt with accommodations for cats and dogs of employees designated to stay at the hospital for three days during a storm emergency. Included was a list of local pet boarding facilities and those that will remain open during a major storm.

For copies of the information, contact Alonzo Nesmith at 792-3135. 

Volunteers
Office of Volunteer Services’ Katy Kuder expressed the hospital’s appreciation for the employees and units that brought volunteers into their workspaces and found meaningful work for them to do.
 
 
 

Friday, June 11, 2004
Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.