From: Gottesman, Michael (NIH/OD)
To: NIH Intramural Staff
Sent: Sun Sep 04 20:21:35 2005
Subject: Aid to scientific colleagues affected by Hurrricane Katrina
In response to the aftermath of Hurricane Katerina there has been an
outpouring of sympathy and offers of help from the NIH community. NIH's
first response, as a medical and public health agency, has been to address
the immediate medical needs of the affected population. We are participants
in the Department of Health and Human Services Task Force to respond to
these events, and approximately 250 NIH staff members are being
deployed to the field; we are working with academic partners around the
country, consulting and coordinating, to provide needed specialized medical
information. We are also prepared to make 100 beds available in the NIH
Clinical Center, as necessary for patients with special needs that the
Clinical Center is uniquely suited to meet, and have activated a consult
service for physicians in the affected areas.
These activities continue to develop very rapidly, and you can expect to
hear more about them.
One other way that NIH scientists can help is to provide research homes for
our scientific colleagues and their trainees from the affected areas.
Although it has proved difficult to contact people, some of you have been in
touch with colleagues, and others are encouraged to try to make contact with
colleagues in the affected areas who may need help. In addition, several
professional societies are creating websites to register scientists who need
help, and the NIH is attempting to contact grantees in the area (see the
following websites for more information:
http://www.nih.gov/about/director/hurricanekatrina/index.htm and
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/katrina/index.htm). Your
Scientific Directors will help you with logistics and financial support if
you do find a colleague who could benefit from time spent at the NIH during
the recovery period. Please check with your Scientific Director before you
make any commitments to be sure resources are available (including space,
travel funds, per deum allowances,and services and supply support) and to be
sure that paperwork can be completed in a timely fashion.
Michael Gottesman
Deputy Director of Intramural Research, NIH
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