In an earlier post I mentioned I was moving my blog pep talk to a new server. That’s now happened, but it did not go off without the expected hitch or two. So for now, I’m living with a foot in both places.
To make things really interesting, however, we recently launched a NEW BLOG on social media. If you’ve been a longtime reader of peptalk, you are already part of the experiment and we’d welcome your insghts and participation in the discussion. Get Social Now
I’m in the process of moving my blog to a new server. I should have some new features once we get it all set up, and a new address: https://blogs.utmb.edu/peptalk. If things look different for a while, that will be why. Please hang with us while we work out any kinks.
Here’s the official message: With the support and cooperation of various groups on campus, a new online virtual tour is being launched. The tour will serve patients, visitors, candidates, and others interested in our university, and has dual goals of assisting with way finding and highlighting features of our beautiful campus.
A preview of the tour is now available.
The first phase of the project involved 13 scenes and 390 images which were digitally stitched together. In January, several of our League City facilities will be captured and added to the tour, and at that point the tour will be made widely available and linked to other resources. Additional development may follow.
Web developers on campus will be able to embed the tour (or individual scenes from it) on their own web pages. Please take this opportunity to explore the tour, and send questions, feedback or ideas to utmb.health@utmb.edu.
Click the option to view this full screen. It’s still a work in progress; my colleague Jim Barrett is helping us plug in facts and connections. This is phase one; we’ll be capturing a few more campus spots, and then heading out to a few of our clinics. Let us know what you think.
UTMB State Employee Charitable Campaign Thanks
by: 2011 SECC Volunteers
Mr. Roboto says thanks to the great people of UTMB and wraps up the 2011 campaign. More than 2,000 employees helped us raise almost $475,000.
We blew the top off our SECC thermometer at some point this morning, clearing the $400,000 mark. Although there was no “official” target, we were hoping we’d hit this mark. Being able to offer at least this much makes a big difference to the charities, near and far, that rely on our support.
Now, the question on many minds: how close can we get to a half-million dollars? Do we have it in us, are there enough of us “last minute” givers (I’m usually one of you) to come up with another $100K? You’d think by now I’d stop being surprised by how awesome and incredible and generous you/we are. Maybe I need to take a page from Ben Raimer’s playbook, and let faith take it from here.
We’ve used a series of photos this year to represent the growth of our grassroots SECC effort. You may have seen the animated sequence on the home page of the SECC site. We have one final photo scheduled, and we hope you can stand with us to show your support. This one will be part photo, part celebration. Bring your best smile.
Final 2011 SECC “People’s Campaign” CAMPUS Group Photo
Thursday, Dec. 1, 11:30 am
At the Green Space at the University Plaza Parking Garage, above fountain (see map)
If you are off campus, there’s a final photo opportunity for you also:
2011 SECC “People’s Campaign” AMBULATORY Group Photo
Weds., Nov. 30, at 11:30 a.m.
At the Specialty Care Center at Victory Lakes in the first floor lobby (see map)
It’s good to see signs with the new logo start going up around campus and at our off-island locations. This one at the Specialty Care Center at Victory Lakes was the latest and one of the most prominent to date; it went up last week, and should be wired for light by this evening. My thanks to Brittni Stinson for sending it to me; she manages (among other things) the Specialty Care Center’s blog. Check it out…
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I spent mine in the hills of North Georgia with some old friends, a long drive from home. Had a lot of time behind the wheel to think about everything, including our progress on SECC. I was very happy to see us pass the $300,000 mark during the holiday, very approriate for a time when we count our blessings and give thanks.
This morning, we’re off and running, at $336,583 from 1,283 great employees. Dr. Cary Cooper, in his role as interim EVP and provost, sent out a great message which likely provided a reminder to some. The deadline to participate is this Friday; please consider joining us.
What will come first, the $250,000 mark, or our 1000th employee participating in the campaign? It’s going to be close either way. At about 2:45 pm on Friday, Nov. 18, we are at $249,590 and 997 employees. You guys rock.