A response to tragedy
Tuesday's
news of the terrible loss of life at New York City's World Trade Towers,
the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and the plane crash in Pennsylvania,
led many on the MUSC campus to pray and reflect at St. Luke's Chapel.
To members of the MUSC family
The entire Medical University community sends its collective sympathies and prayers to the families that have suffered losses in Tuesday's tragic events.
The Medical University stands ready to help in any way possible, and we will coordinate our efforts with local, state and federal agencies. As we work to clear our own heads and mobilize ourselves in the face of this disaster, we urge all of you to maintain your calm as we heighten our vigilance. We are responding to the situation in a proactive, rather than a reactive way.
These are the ways you can help:
- Wear your identification at all times
- Notify MUSC Public Safety (792-4196) if you receive any suspicious mail or packages
- Make sure you are familiar with those who work in your area
- Report any suspicious activity to Public Safety at 792-4196
- Be prepared to assist local agencies if necessary
- Donate blood. In addition to the regular hours for blood donation at Room 279 Medical University Hospital 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the Red Cross will be set up for donations in the horseshoe area from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 13. The West Ashley Red Cross Donor Room at 1660 Sam Rittenberg Blvd will be open from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. until further notice. To contact the MUSC office, call 792-0219; to contact the West Ashley office, call 852-2911.
In addition to these efforts, the Institute of Psychiatry is offering
counseling sessions and information packets to help employees and their
children cope with the tragedy. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is
available if anyone wants to talk to a counselor and/or to receive information.
Call the EAP at 792-2848 to receive support as an employee or parent. The
following Web site <http://www.mentalhealth.org> has two resources available;
Field Manual for Mental Health and Human Service Workers in Major Disasters
and Psychosocial Issues for Children and Adolescents in Disasters. Additionally,
Pastoral Care will conduct non-denominational prayer services each day
this week.
MEDUCARE is authorized to fly as long as it has FAA clearance. Emergency ground transportation is fully operational. Additional staff is on standby for MEDULINE in the event additional Medical Center support is needed. Security likewise has been increased all around the campus.
We will stand together as a community, dedicated to our responsibilities as health care educators, researchers and providers. In the days ahead, may we find the strength to support each other, and to serve those most in need of our help.
With deepest regards,
Ray Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D.
President
W. Stuart Smith,
Vice President for Clinical Operations and
Executive Director, MUSC Medical Center