Business Operations and Facilities Employee Newsletter newsletter.pdfEmployee Newsletter June, 2011...

The banner in the 3rd floor hallway of the FOAM offices says it all…...the entire week of June 6th was spent celebrating our Construction Managers! Organized by Carol Luck, each day was made special by getting together to enjoy each other’s company while honoring Construction Managers TW Bevel, Paul Graham, David Hernandez, Sonny Morales, Jackie Picard, Bridget Tarcha and Jim Walker. • They started out the week with a burrito breakfast on Monday. • On Tuesday they had a contest to see who could come closest to guessing how

many screws were in the jar. TW Bevel was the winner, only off by 8. • Wednesday was bake-off day. Everyone who wanted to participate brought in

their favorite dish, and the Construction Managers served as the judges. In the sweets category the winner was Julie Baur for her Heavenly Hash Cake. In the savory category Carol Luck’s Spinach and Feta Croissants were the judges’ favorite.

• Thursday the group went to the Original Mexican Restaurant for lunch and played the Polly Anna game. They each wrote kudos to one of their co-workers, which was read the next day at their team meeting.

“Every day our Construction Managers sort through construction issues, work with our customers, and manage contractors and architects. Not an easy task!!!” said Kim McKay, Director of Facilities Planning and Construction. “I am very proud of all my staff, who work hard each and every day to serve the UTMB community, building a better place for our patients, visitors, faculty and staff. I appreciate their dedication and I would like to personally thank them all.”

Our cooks! Front: Jackie Picard and Tracy Jackson Back: Julie Baur, Carol Luck, Rhonda Hernandez, Yolanda Solis and Mike Pearson.

Cook Off Judges: Paul Graham, Jackie Picard, Jim Walker and Sonny Morales sample some great cooking!

AMERICA’S MOST WANTED!!!

TW Bevel, Jim Walker, Sonny Morales and Paul Graham

Business Operations and Facilities Employee Newsletter Leadership Team

Front: Carlos Escobar, Mike Shriner, Kim McKay Back: Marcel Blanchard, Patrick Michaelski, David Ketchens, Jeff Bonnardel

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Business Operations and Facilities Employee Newsletter

June, 2011 Volume 2, Number 9

Environment of Care Staff Knowledge Assessment

To ensure that staff can describe or demonstrate methods for eliminating and minimizing physical risks in the work environment, the UTMB Environment of Care Committee has developed a series of staff knowledge quizzes. Test your knowledge now. (Part 1) 1. Which document gives you information on how to evacuate during a fire emergency, including

the primary and secondary evacuation routes? A. Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) B. Written Departmental Fire Response Plan C. Yellow Sheet D. Both B and C

2. What web site will give you safety related information? A. Patient Safety Net B. UTMB Safety Links C. Environment of Care D. Both B and C

3. Define the RACE Concept for fire emergencies. A. Run And Catch the Elevator B. Remote Access to Customer Equipment C. Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish/Evacuate D. Request Attitude Changes Everywhere

4. What are the steps for responding to a chemical spill? A. Close doors to the area where spill occurred, notify your supervisor, and call

housekeeping to clean up the area B. Notify personnel in the immediate area that a spill has occurred; evacuate nonessential

personnel from area, notify your supervisor and call EHS to clean the area C. Put on gloves and eye protection, using disposable absorbent material wipe up the spilled

material and dispose of in the trash 5. Which of the following is NOT considered potentially violent or unacceptable behavior?

A. Name calling and use of derogatory statements B. Demanding to speak with Patient Services in a polite manner C. Berating individuals in front of others D. Cursing, cussing and foul language

6. If you receive a written bomb threat, you should: A. Call the Galveston police department B. Hand it over to your coworkers and supervisor to review C. Call the UTMB Development Office immediately D. Treat it as evidence, do not handle it, and call Campus Police

Answers found on page 5.

Annual Training deadline is August

31st. Don’t wait until the last minute to

start!

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Construction Projects

Some say a picture is worth a thousand words. Such is the case when it comes to our construction work. Here are a few of the projects keeping our teams busy.

First floor lobby of the School of Health Professionals and Nursing

Marvin Graves Building First floor classrooms

6200 Tons of Permanent Chiller Capacity 3000 Tons of Temporary Chiller Capacity

Congratulations!!! Peter Villarreal from Biological and Chemical Safety, and

Robert Wilson from Utilities both retired on May 31st. Best wishes to both of them on their future plans.

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July Birthdays

Tim Schilling—FOAM West—1st Albert Delbosque—FOAM West—4th Melanie Zepeda—FOAM Capital—5th Rhonda Hernandez—FOAM Capital—5th Claude Williams—Shipping—7th Buck Bradford—Delivery—8th Eddie Long—Delivery—8th Melissa Hernandez—Central Purchasing—8th Gwen Lee—Hospital Supplies—11th Ernest Pickle—FOAM Central—17th Lydia Prater—Auxiliary Admin—18th Oscar Grimes—FOAM Central—18th Domingo Morales—Parking—20th Sergio Garcia—EHS—21st David Hernandez—EHS—22nd James Stephenson—Field House—22nd John Jorgenson—Utilities—22nd Philip Fox—FOAM East—23rd Albert Stephenson—EHS—26th Michael McLaren—FOAM Admin—28th



FOAM Development Team Family Fun Day

After work on a Friday in May the FOAM Development Team picked up their families and headed to the Galveston Boat Club for a little fun and relaxation. They fired up the grill, everyone brought food to share, they had a few drinks, and lots of laughs. Chuck Anderson was giving boat rides, the pool was available for those who wanted to swim, and it sounds like everyone had a great time. I can’t think of a better way to spend a summer evening!

———————CONGRATULATIONS

Domingo Morales Jr. , son of Domingo (Mike) Morales from

Auxiliary Enterprises, graduated from Santa Fe High

School on June 3rd. He received a football

scholarship as a receiver and will be attending the University of Eastern New Mexico this Fall.

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New Summer Dress Code I don’t think anyone will argue with the fact we are in for a LONG, HOT Summer!

Thank you Mr. Elger and Mr. Shriner for implementing a summer dress code! “Effective immediately and until Labor Day the summer dress code for Business Operations and

Facilities will be business casual (this does not include blue jeans or t-shirts) unless you have a meeting where business attire would be more appropriate or if you have a uniform requirement.”

Environment of Care Staff Knowledge Assessment Answers

1. (B) The written Departmental Fire Response Plan 2. (D) Both The UTMB Safety Links and the Environment of Care website 3. (C ) Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish/Evacuate 4. (B) Notify personnel in the immediate area; evacuate nonessential personnel from the area, notify your supervisor, and call Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) to clean the area. 5. (B) Demanding to speak with Patient Services in a polite manner 6. (D) Treat it as evidence, do not handle it, and call Campus Police.

Theresa Puccetti and Basil Arnold Andy Correa and Leah Glenn Carol Luck and Cam Guthier

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Working together to work wonders….

Significant accomplishments completed by the Business Operations and Facilities Teams in May

• Replaced 50% of the M90 main electrical circuit breakers, Vault One; pursuant to the Ike

Normal Power Mitigation Project. • CES completed a mattress evaluation of several products designed to reduce skin break-

down and assist in healing. • Successfully load banked 75% of the healthcare generators in preparation of hurricane

season. • Completed the 1st floor construction in the Graves Building. • Completed the ground floor lobby at School of Nursing and School of Health Professionals. • Completed the 6th Street storm sewer improvements. • Installed 3000 tons of temporary chillers at the West End Chiller Plant. • Completed the Phase 1 electrical switchgear refurbishment at John Sealy Hospital. • The UTMB Mitigation Plan was approved by FEMA and the State of Texas. • Participated in the Galveston Hurricane Town Hall. • Provided Emergency Management training to Ambulatory Care managers. • Implemented ‘Triggered Response Plan’ based on a new service from Impact Weather. • Dry Ice Contract has been finalized in preparation for Hurricane Season. • Large volume infusion pump replacement evaluation was completed. • Processed/executed the following major contracts: Medtronic Neurology Capital Equipment

Agreement, Medtronic Neurology Product Sales Agreement, GE Healthcare Settlement and Release Agreement for voice recognition software; Baxter IV Medication.

• Sent out the 2011 recertified Records Retention Schedule to all 265 Department Records Coordinators and their alternates.

• TDSHS X-ray inspection conducted in the Pearland Imaging Center resulted in no issuance of a notice of violation.

• Mammography accreditation program was completed with a ‘Pass’ certification and no issuance of a notice of violation or recommendations.

Thank You to everyone who worked on these projects!

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New Voice At The Purchasing Help Desk

Kate DeFrieze started working at UTMB as a temporary employee in March, 2010 in the Hospital Administration offices. In June, 2010 Clinical Purchasing was very fortunate to hire her as a full time employee, working as an Administrative Support Assistant. In March 2011 Karen Cook retired from the Purchasing Help Desk...opening the door to new opportunities for Kate. Now Kate works along side Pat Israel, who is our Purchasing Help Desk guru. Although Kate feels she has some pretty big shoes to fill in replacing Karen, she feels safe with Pat by her side. Kate’s duties at the Help Desk include answering incoming phone calls and helping our customers with their various questions regarding requisitions and purchase orders. Kate and Pat also run multiple daily reports to make sure requisitions and purchase orders are dispatched and running through the system in a timely manner. Kate’s favorite part about her new job is “that good feeling I get when I can help someone and they’re so appreciative”. Kate is enjoying her new job. “My co-workers are very supportive. Who knows, perhaps in six months I won’t have to interrupt them and ask so many questions and they’ll be able to get some work accomplished!” Thank you Kate, for the quick transition into your new position!

Stephanie Clark Joins BOF-Capital Team As Project Manager

What attracted you to UTMB? Dependable employment, good benefits and location (Galveston). Briefly describe your job. As a Project Manager my job is to oversee construction projects for UTMB through the phases of planning, design, budgeting, procurement, bidding, and a portion of the construction (in combination with the construction managers). This involves assessing the user’s needs, coordinating with consultants, architects, engineers, and contractors. I am also responsible for insuring my projects stay on budget, on schedule, and the quality meets UTMB’s standards. What do you like most about your job? So far what I like the most about my job are the people I work with. Everyone here has been very friendly, positive and helpful. What do you find most challenging? I believe the most challenging will be meeting some of the very tight deadlines on projects. What do you like to do when you are not at work? Gardening, cooking, water activities, traveling and spending time with friends and family. Favorite movie? Its hard to pick just one...here are a few I watch again and again. Shawshank Redemption, Man on Fire, Dazed and Confused, Forrest Gump and Almost Famous. Favorite book? Diet for a New America by John Robbins changed my life and my way of eating. More recently my favorites are A Salty Piece of Land by Jimmy Buffett and Janet Evanovich’s series of books about a female bounty hunter. Favorite TV show? I don’t watch a lot of TV, but occasionally I catch a sitcom like The Middle, Modern Family, Cougar Town, That 70’s Show or Two and a Half Men. More often, if I have time to watch TV its late and I will turn on the History Channel. Favorite music? Classic Rock like Janis Joplin, Eagles, Jimi Hendrix, Santana, Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin...and a wide mix of more modern Rock. Also Classic Country and Country up through the 80’s. Favorite vacation spot? For a long vacation San Pedro, Belize or Yelapa Mexico (a little village on the Pacific side, just south of Puerto Vallarta). For a shorter trip, New Braunfels or Austin. Anything else? I am a Texas A&M graduate. I am a vegetarian. I married my best friend, Kevin. I have 2 wonderful step-children, Kirsten (16) and Kaylor (18). I am very excited to be a part of the UTMB staff and I am really looking forward to moving back to Galveston.

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LANDSCAPES SURVIVING DROUGHT

You better hang on because 2011 is breaking all kinds of records for freezing, high temperatures, drought, etc., and the year is only half over. High temperatures, sea breezes and the lack of rain is really putting stress on our landscape. Not fully recovered from hurricane Ike and the drought conditions of 2009, it is time to step in and intervene if you want to save your landscape. According to the US Drought Monitor, currently half of the state of Texas is under the two worst drought categories (extreme or exceptional). The current drought is already the third worst in State history, but may soon approach or surpass the impact of both of the 1950's drought and the Dust Bowl in its environmental impact.

The greater Houston area will potentially lose millions of trees if we do not see significant precipitation in the soon. Trees For Houston is asking that local communities begin watering the trees in their neighborhoods to help reduce this damage. Symptoms of drought in your landscape include turf areas turning yellow or brown, or even dying if your lawn is Saint Augustine grass. If you have Bermuda grass the top of your lawn can turn brown and die but the underground runners and roots are still alive and your lawn should recover quickly when watered. Bermuda grass is drought tolerant and a native that grows best in full sunlight. You will also find large cracks in the ground, usually in the center of the yard, along concrete sidewalks or along your foundation. Home owners should be watering their foundations to stabilize the moisture levels and prevent house shifting. Trees and shrubs will wilt and if not watered, show premature yellowing/fall coloring and dropping of leaves. If the trees and shrubs are deciduous they may shed their leaves and rebound, but will be stressed. In extreme cases of drought you will see sections of the plants completely die. This is when your plants are in trouble. Stress from drought will allow opportunistic insects and diseases that could further weaken and kill plants during the next few years. How to keep your landscape drought free: Slow deep water your landscape once or twice a week, depending on rainfall and your soil structure. The best time to water is between 7:00 pm to 7:00 am. Allow the water to soak in 4” - 6” for lawns, ground covers and vegetables. For shrubs and perennials soak the root zones 6” - 12” deep, and for trees soak the ground 12” - 24”. Avoid water run off. Established large mature trees need about 10 gallons of water per trunk diameter once a week.

- Ken Steblein

RECYCLE Please remember to toss your newsletter in the recycle bin when you are done with it.

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UTMB Health Multispecialty Clinic & Stark Diabetes Center Construction of a multi-clinic facility at Victory Lakes Town Center (2660 Gulf Freeway) in League City is currently underway for substantial completion in July and will be open for accepting patients in August 2011. Conveniently located ¼ mile south of UTMB Health Specialty Care Center at Victory Lakes off the Gulf Freeway, patients will have access to many medical specialty services.

Faith Webber Interns With The Capital Team What attracted you to UTMB? I grew up in Galveston! Plus, I hope to apply to architecture school and I had the chance to work with the won-derful people in the FOAM department. Briefly describe your job. I’m an intern, so I get to do all sorts of things, from organizing files to shadowing architects. What do you like most about your job? The people! It is a very low stress environment, even though we have such an important job to do. What do you find is the most challenging part of your job? Right now, trying to learn all the names of the buildings on campus, and navi-gating my way through them! What do you like to do when you are not at work? Paint, read, cruise the seawall. Favorite movie? Dazed and Confused Favorite book? The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton Favorite TV show? Community or Conan Favorite music? Classic rock, but there’s a special place in my heart for the Backstreet Boys. Favorite vacation spot? Chain-O-Lakes in Romayor, Texas. Anything else you want to tell us about yourself? I’m looking forward to a really great summer!

Business Operations and Facilities Employee Newsletter newsletter.pdfEmployee Newsletter June, 2011...

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