Administrative Leave – Weather (ALW) EXTENDED thru Nov. 14!

Effective Oct. 8, 2008, ALW will continue through Nov 14th for all employees who are available to work, IF certain conditions apply including the inoperability of work facilities and work assignments not conducive to telecommuting (as determined by their Business Unit Leader). 100% (40 hrs. max) for each week from Oct 4th thru Nov 14th

ALW is used only to supplement employees’ time so they can continue to receive fully appointed hours per pay period. If using ALW, employees may not record more than their appointed hours per pay period with any combination of pay codes.

Once ALW ceases, employees may use their accruals (except sick leave) to achieve 40 hours per week, if desired.

Click here for more details on the ALW policy and to view a list of FAQs.

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UTMB pediatric urgent care to open Thursday
Round-the-clock care adjacent to UTMB Emergency Department

GALVESTON, Texas — A 24-hour urgent care facility for children will open at 8 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 9, at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, according to university officials.

"Appropriate medical care for children has always been a priority for UTMB," said Dr. Christine Turley, vice chair for clinical pediatric services. "As the schools have opened and families with children have returned to the island there is an increased need for pediatric care including minor illnesses and injuries."

The urgent care facility is adjacent to the university's Emergency Department on 800 Harborside Drive. It will be fully staffed with pediatricians and pediatric nurses to care for common illnesses and injuries such as sprains, coughs, colds, fevers, dehydration and diarrhea.

Walk-in patients are welcome.

John Sealy Hospital is not admitting patients due to damage caused by Hurricane Ike. Individuals with serious injuries are being transported to nearby medical facilities for inpatient care.

For more information, call 409-772-2222.

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UTMB University Eye Center serving patients in Friendswood; public invited to open house

Patients who normally received vision services or care at UTMB can now visit the University Eye Center at Friendswood, 400 W. Parkwood Ave., Suite 120, near the intersection of South Friendswood Drive. While the Galveston location did not sustain serious storm damage and will reopen soon, patients who have an appointment or surgery scheduled or who need post-surgery follow-up are encouraged to call the Friendswood eye center at 281-996-7564. The eye center has specialists in a range of eye conditions and services. The public is invited to attend an open house from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, at the Friendswood location. The Friendswood Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. For more information, read more, call the Friendswood eye center at 281-996-7564, or visit www.UTMBeyecenter.com.

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Missed the Oct. 7 Town Hall meeting? Watch it now…

On Tuesday, Oct. 7, UTMB President David L. Callender and interim UT System Chancellor Dr. Kenneth Shine hosted a post-Hurricane Ike Town Hall to an overflow audience in Levin Hall auditorium. We hope you were able to join us. However, if you missed the meeting, it will be rebroadcast on campus cable TV channel 53 for the following two weeks, starting midday Wednesday. The presentation and a webcast from the event are also now available on the Town Hall web site.

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Looking for the UTMB Hurricane Ike emergency site?

The information and resources posted during Hurricane Ike are all still available, but they have been moved to a new location in an effort to restore normal web operations. Click here for the emergency information and resource site.

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Delivery Of Perishable / Refrigerated Materials

Departments expecting refrigerated or perishable materials must notify Central Receiving at 772-5341 or 772-0454 with the tracking number, shipper and delivery carrier to ensure materials are accepted and not refused during the building renovation period. For more information about all Logistics services please visit http://www.utmb.edu/logistics/.

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Information for Patients: Clinic locations, available services, physicians and caregivers directory

During UTMB's recovery from Hurricane Ike, clinical services normally offered on the Galveston campus have been temporarily suspended or relocated. However, many of UTMB’s mainland-based clinics and facilities, and a mobile Galveston clinic, are open to serve patients during this time of need. Many physicians and other caregivers are serving patients at alternate locations, and special arrangements are in place for special needs patients such as expectant mothers, cancer and transplant patients. For details, visit www.utmbhealthcare.org.

For patient care questions or information, please contact the UTMB Access Center at (409) 772-2222 or toll-free at (800) 917-8906.

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"We stop for no storm!" t-shirts now available

Now here is a way to help give back to the school and island we all love so much. "We stop for no storm!" t-shirts are available and all the proceeds will go to the UTMB Hurricane Recovery Fund. It's a simple way to show your Galveston and UTMB pride and support the school's efforts to get everything up and running as quickly as possible. Click here to order your t-shirt now!

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The Access Center launches new web site

The UTMB Access Center has launched a new web site promoting their services to UTMB patients and employees, referring physicians, and the communities UTMB serves. The Access Center meets the needs of these important groups through appointment scheduling, telephone triage, physician referral programs, and much more. The Access Center is committed to providing convenient, customer-friendly access to the UTMB Health System. Visit the Access Center online at www.utmb.edu/AccessCenter or call (409) 772-2222 or toll free (800) 917-8906.