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CENTERVIEWS
A Publication of The University of Texas Harris County Psychiatric Center

Monday, September 20, 2004

SECC Kick Off Scheduled
MSI Move, UT Improvements Discussed at Meeting
In Memory of Dr. McLaughlin
Staff Kudos
Website On Line
Capital Assets Inventory Completed
Stores Department Growing
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Lecture Series
Holiday Book Fair Benefits UT Scholarship Program
Fitness Center Discount
Volunteers needed for National Depression Screening Day
Equal Employment Policy reaffirmed by Dr. Willerson

SECC Kick Off Scheduled
Join us for the kick off of the State Employees Charitable Campaign. For as little as $ 2 each month or a one time donation of $ 2 or more, you can help a number of local, national and international charity causes. UTHCPC will sponsor several activities (with more to come later) in support of this worthwhile campaign:

• Wednesday, September 22, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, join us in the cafeteria for free snacks, prizes and information about the charities involved in the SECC

• Wednesday, September 22, from 10 pm – 12 midnight, learn about the SECC, win prizes and join in the fun

• Thursday, September 30, at 2 p.m., join UTHCPC Chief Administrator Dr. Lois Moore at the SECC Kick Off at the School of Nursing. A van will leave promptly at 2 pm.

MSI Move, UT Improvements Discussed at Meeting
The UTHCPC management team welcomed UTHSCH Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Dr. Michael McKinney to its monthly management meeting. Dr. McKinney reaffirmed UT’s support of UTHCPC and praised Dr. Moore and the work done by the hospital and its employees. He also announced that the UT Mental Science Institute will move to the UT South Campus, and that the house and land next to UTHCPC, originally sought to be the MSI will be sold to a private group.

In other news, discussed at the meeting,

• Dr. Moore discussed several new program ideas, including an early intervention program, a nursing home project, disease management program and other initiatives which are currently being researched by clinical and financial operations staff as to their feasibility;

• Richard Montanye announced that MHMRA and UTHCPC are discussing integrating medical records for better use by both agencies

• Suzanne Foster noted that social services saw 50% more families during the first quarter than previously.

• Dr. Moore recognized Paul Sturdal’s efforts as ERC Chair and welcomed Gene McCardle as this year’s chair. She also noted that she has given the ERC a budget for events, including the holiday party.

In Memory of Dr. McLaughlin
UTHCPC Administration and staff were saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Edward McLaughlin, Ph.D. Dr. 'Mac' as he was affectionately known to students and faculty alike was a former Assistant Dean for Educational Programs as well as an early leader in the development of the UT Health Science Center at Houston, where he served as vice president for Operations and Planning from 1974-1977. He first joined the Medical School's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences in 1975 and served as chief psychologist for the department as well as for the Harris County Psychiatric Center. He retired in 1997.

Staff Kudos
Congratulations to Nurse Manager Karen Wells on completing the University of Phoenix. Masters in Business Administration degree program.

UTHCPC Web site On Line
The English-language version of the UTHCPC web site has been updated. You can access it at http://hcpc.uth.tmc.edu. It has many new features, including an on-line volunteer application, information about donations and updated information on services. Thanks to MIS’s Ruby McCullough for her help in designing and uploading the site during the past four months. The Spanish and Vietnamese-language pages will be updated this coming year. And, remember, your comments and suggestions are always welcome. Contact Geri Konigsberg at 7876 to provide your input.

Capital Assets Inventory Completed
Gonzalo Herrejon reports that the UTHCPC capital assets inventory is complete. UTHCPC’s capital inventory or more than 900 items totals $4.4 million dollars.

Stores Department Growing
Gonzalo Herrejon reports that Stores now stocks more than 170 items. Thanks to Gonzalo and Michael Locket for their work on reducing UTHCPC’s costs for routine items by making them available through our own Stores Department.

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Lecture Series
The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science Lecture Series will be continued with Alan Swann, MD, discussing “Bipolar Disorder” on Wednesday, September 29, from 11 am to 12 noon in the MSI Auditorium.

Holiday Book Fair Benefits UT Scholarship Program
The University of Texas Health Science Center will once again sponsor a holiday book fair at the Barnes and Noble on Holcombe. The event will take place during the first week of December. Faculty and staff are encouraged to take advantage of this special event, registering their purchase at Barnes and Noble, who will then donate 25% of the proceeds to the UT Scholarship Program (including the Classified Staff Council Scholarship program, which benefits children of UTHSCH employees).

Fitness Center Discount
The UT Recreation Center will offer its annual October special: 15 percent off a three-month membership for persons signing up between Friday, Sept. 24-Sunday, Oct. 31. For more information on rates and programs visit http://ae.uth.tmc.edu/.

Volunteers needed for National Depression Screening Day
The Houston Psychiatric Society invites psychiatrists and psychologists to volunteer during National Depression Screening Day. These professionals are needed to conduct screenings from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 7, in the lobby of the Reliant Building, 1000 Main Street. Contact: Dawnelle.J.Schatte@uth.tmc.edu, a child psychiatry fellow, for information on assisting with this project

Employee of the Quarter Nominations Due
The Employee Relations Committee is soliciting nominations for Employee of the Quarter. Please go to http://hcpc.uth.tmc.edu/psm/ERC/EmployeeNominationForm.pdf for complete rules and an application.

Equal Employment Policy reaffirmed by Dr. Willerson
In a memorandum UTHSCH President James T. Willerson, M.D. reaffirmed UT’s commitment to UT’s Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity policy, ensuring a workplace that is free from discrimination. For more information, please contact Yolanda Davis, Director of Diversity, The Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, at 713-500-3079.