[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 163 (Saturday, December 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2573]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE ASTUTE LEADERSHIP OF JAMES T. WILLERSON, M.D., PRESIDENT 
 OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AT HOUSTON (UTHSC-H) 
  FOR UTHSC-H's RESPONSE TO THE CRISIS BROUGHT ABOUT HURRICANE KATRINA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEVIN BRADY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 16, 2005

  Mr. BRADY of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. 
James T. Willerson, President of the University of Texas Health Science 
Center at Houston (UTHSC-H).
  On September 1, 2005, Dr. Willerson, along with UTHSC-H Executive 
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Michael D. McKinney, M.D, 
was given the task by Houston Mayor Bill White to transform a portion 
of the George R. Brown Convention Center (GRB) in Houston, Texas, from 
a convention center to a medical triage center, adjacent to the shelter 
created for more than 5,000 Hurricane Katrina survivors.
  The UT Health Science Center acted quickly to design, organize and 
prepare clinic space to serve evacuees at the George R. Brown 
Convention Center, which opened as an additional safe haven to 
Houston's Astrodome, which quickly achieved capacity within a day of 
opening. Over about three weeks, more than 6,000 volunteers operated 
the UT Clinic and managed more than 9,000 patient visits. The 
volunteers included UT physicians, nurses, dentists, public health 
professionals, students and administrative staff as well as spouses of 
these professionals. The clinic also included other volunteers and 
health professionals from Texas Medical Center institutions and 
individuals from across the country who answered the call to help in 
the aftermath of this national crisis. These volunteers worked 
tirelessly to ensure welcome, comfort and care for our neighbors in 
need. Services provided with expertise and compassion in the UT Clinic 
included: emergency aid, pediatric care, immunizations, obstetrics and 
gynecology, internal medicine, pharmacy, laboratory services, imaging 
and vision components, dental care and mental health services.
  Several dedicated professionals from the UT Health Science Center 
worked to ensure that healthcare concerns at the evacuee sites were 
communicated with state and local officials. Scott Lillibridge, M.D., 
the Director of the Center for Biosecurity and Public Health 
Preparedness, provided critical technical assistance and general 
epidemiology support at numerous evacuee facilities. Faculty and staff 
conducted rapid health assessments daily at evacuee sites. This 
information allowed Dr. Ward Casscells, the John Edward Tyson 
Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Vice President of Biotechnology 
at the Health Science Center, and Dr. Lillibridge to continually inform 
public health officials of evacuee health status and coordinate efforts 
with FEMA, CDC, the Red Cross, the City of Houston, Harris County, and 
the Texas Commissioner of Health.
  Each of the UT Health Science Center's six schools--contributed in 
one way or another to the Hurricane Katrina response. Dr. Willerson 
encouraged his deans to seek every possible avenue to help during this 
time of crisis. He approved of the placement of students from Tulane 
Medical School and allocated space for the displaced Tulane faculty for 
their medical education, resident training and research at the UT 
Medical School. The medical school is also hosting 37 residents from 
Tulane so additional interruptions to their education will not occur.
  Dr. Willerson is an exemplary leader who through his actions in this 
most recent crisis was able to show compassion in the midst of quick 
decision-making. With the help of a superb leadership team, headed by 
Dr. McKinney, the staff performed to the highest standards of 
professionalism and compassion. With the encouragement, support and 
guidance of Dr. Willerson, the University of Texas Health Science 
Center at Houston responded in countless ways as health professionals, 
lay volunteers, concerned citizens and caring friends.
  Mr. Speaker, Dr. Willerson and the hundreds of UTHSC-Houston 
professionals who answered the call to aid and assist their fellow 
Americans deserve the acclaim and gratitude of the Nation.

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