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Currents To Medical Center Employees: I want to thank everyone for your cooperation and support during this busy  hurricane season. While we have not fully activated the emergency weather plan for any of the storms this season, employees in numerous areas have been called upon to work extra hours or to be prepared to come in early.  Due to the near miss storms this year, we recognized a need to develop and disseminate an “Intermediate Weather Alert Plan” to address staffing issues for alert status situations that fall short of the need to fully activate the emergency weather plan. This Intermediate Weather Plan will soon be included as a component of our weather emergency policies. I also wish to commend everyone involved in the recent JCAHO Special Function Lab (POCT) survey.  The survey was conducted Sept. 21 through 24.  The survey was thorough and it was clear that the bar has been raised by the JCAHO.  In his closing conference the surveyor stated “this was a very pleasant experience, a very good survey and a real good team effort.” Thank you very much. W. Stuart Smith Vice President for Clinical Operations and Executive Director, MUSC Medical Center October: time to make insurance changes  David Soutter, Office of Development, reported that at the conclusion of the Yearly Employee Support (YES) campaign, a total of $53,717 was raised in designated support of the replacement hospital. Nearly $21,000 of the total came as a match donation from University Medical Associates (UMA).  “Thank you. That $53,000 was from a standing start. This exceeds our expectations. We are very pleased with it and it is another step toward making this hospital a reality, and changing it from an extremely good hospital to an excellent one,” Soutter said. Human Resources Helena Bastian, director of Medical Center Human Resources, announced that the Human Resources policies on attendance and tardiness are now posted. She said that the revisions to the PTO policy regarding transfer of leave are also posted on the Intranet. “Also, we are working with Joe Avant’s group to look at our physical requirements for job description,” Bastian said. “We will get that out to you as well.” Annual Enrollment Janet Browning, Human Resources benefits and records manager, reminded that October is the annual enrollment period and urged administrators and managers to inform their departments. She said that her office now has the official documents on annual enrollment materials.  “Please send your business person to pick up the materials for your cost center. It will include the retirement statements, the benefit statements, the insurance advantage and a cover memo. The cover memo highlights some basic changes in the insurance program for 2005.” She said that main thing she wanted to point out in the meeting was that the Blue Cross Blue Shield economy plan will be eliminated. “If people don’t enroll in another choice, they will lose coverage effective Jan. 1. They will be receiving individual mailings, there will be a notice on paycheck stubs and they will receive notification from the employee insurance program.” She said that employees should take time to attend benefits briefings scheduled: 1 p.m., Oct. 7 in the 2W Amphitheatre  2:30 p.m., Oct. 7, 2W Amphitheatre 10 a.m., Oct. 12, 2W Amphitheatre,  3 p.m. Oct. 12, 2 West Amphitheatre,  1:30 p.m., Oct. 14, SEI Auditorium  10 a.m. through 3 p.m. Oct. 21 for the annual benefits fair on the Library/Administration Building portico. Managed Care Managed Care director Karyn Rae introduced Justin Davis, newly appointed as manager of specialty contracting.