College of Medicine Katrina Relief Efforts
The college is working with the American Association of Medical Colleges, Baylor College of Medicine, University of Texas-Medical Branch and the University of Texas Medical School at Houston to address Tulane Medical School's needs. The Tulane leadership has relocated to Houston, and the school will need to place medical students, faculty members, research labs, etc. The need is greatest for clinical (third and fourth) years of medical school and for graduate medical education (GME). The College of Medicine has offered take an additional 10 to 15 medical students. GME positions are also being made available at Scott & White and other college-affiliated residency programs.
Wanda Watson, director of recruitment and special programs, has been coordinating collection of items for Katrina evacuees in the local area shelters. To date, she and other College of Medicine staff and students have delivered three carloads of food, clothing, books, toys, diapers, toiletries, sleeping bags, blankets and cash to local shelters. According to Ms. Watson, "the response has been phenomenal and everyone has been so generous."
The Microbiology and Immunology Department has been collecting gift cards to distribute to evacuees.
College dean, Dr. Christopher C. Colenda held an in-service session Saturday, September 3 for local nurses on “Understanding the impact of the Katrina crisis on mental health”, and also hosted a session Wednesday, September 7 for medical students and A&M undergraduate students on “Working with Evacuees from Katrina”.
First and second-year medical students have plans to spend time with evacuee children this weekend and will take games, toys, puzzles, etc. to play with them for several hours. Details are still being worked out.
