pep talk

The Lone Star Motorcycle Rally rumbles back into town this weekend, November 2-5, drawing cyclists from across the country to Galveston for an event that some say is now larger than Mardi Gras.Two entertainment districts, one downtown and one on the Seawall, will feature bands and activities throughout the weekend. Special traffic routes will be in place, and street closures will interrupt Island Transit’s trolley and bus service. Maps and additional information are available on the city’s website, www.cityofgalveston.org.

If you’re waxing your Harley in anticipation, you can get info about specific Lone Star Rally activities at www.lonestarrally.com or call (281) 597-8800.

There’s been a lot of talk about clinical service and access this summer. I had a chance to put our system to the test recently. It was time for my annual checkup, and I went online to make an appointment. (Did you know this was an option? It’s very cool, and it’s here). I put in my info late one evening and went home for the night. The next morning, there was a message from the folks at the UTMB HealthCare Hotline, my appointment confirmation. Not only that, the appointment was with my real doctor, my actual PCP, and it was in one week, not the month or longer I’d expected for a routine office visit.

The story gets better. I needed the regular blood work, and I’ve been told since I was a teenager that I’ve got tough veins, hard to locate and buried deep. It usually takes several pokes before someone can draw blood, and often it ends up coming from the back of a hand. I showed up to have blood drawn, and this delightful woman sat me down, donned her gloves, asked me a few questions and gave a small smile as I told her about my “bad” veins. Then, with great deft and finesse, she did her thing, and it was perfect and painless. I was headed back to my car in two minutes. I was impressed by the whole process, and would/could with a clear conscience advocate for the care and service I received to anyone.

End of story? Unfortunately not. I learned later my doc plans to leave, and it’s like losing a friend. But it takes a team to provide care, and I’ll take solace in the fact that most members of this team are still around. You did a great job with me and I’m grateful. Thank you.

There was a lot of UTMB material in the local newspaper this weekend. I was camping with my cub scouts Friday night, and in Austin Monday, so I’m a little late in sharing this with you. My guess is most of you have seen it. There’s an editorial by the publisher of the GCDN, Dolph Tillotson; a story by UTMB’s new beat reporter (and Biz Buzz columnist), Laura Elder; and a guest column by State Senator Kyle Janek, all—in one sense or another—about our future at UTMB. Rather than add my two cents, take a read for yourself.

Call for aid requires a little explanation
Galveston County Daily News, Oct. 22
When Dr. John D. Stobo said he would resign as head of the University of Texas Medial Branch next August, he issued a plea for support from Galveston County. “If you don’t want to see us shrink to a 200-bed hospital, if you don’t want us to lose the National Laboratory, this is a time for the community to get behind UTMB,” Stobo said. Funding cuts, staff reductions and even the institution’s hotly debated, evolving mission have left UTMB in turmoil. There are two problems in responding to Stobo’s call for support. First, no one understands clearly what the community should do. Second, the community simply cannot solve many of UTMB’s problems. UTMB must do that. Nonetheless, UTMB is too critical to Galveston County’s future to ignore, and we simply must engage. See it…

UTMB ‘taking a deep breath’
Galveston County Daily News, Oct. 22
Citing pragmatism, not political pressure, as the reason, University of Texas Medical Branch officials say they’ll postpone by six months construction of a $30.5 million specialty care facility in League City. The decision to postpone construction that was supposed to begin in January comes as leaders of the island’s largest employer are being intensely criticized for cost-cutting measures and layoffs that so far have eliminated 800 full-time equivalent positions. Do Not Resuscitate? Administrators deny that outcry by mainland physicians and fear of alienating local lawmakers, who are getting heat from constituents, has killed plans for the League City clinic. Read it…

A prescription for UTMB
Galveston County Daily News, Oct. 22
For more than a century, the University of Texas Medical Branch has served our community both as a beacon of hope and care for our poorest citizens, as well as a force for progress in the eyes of medical students and professionals alike. Read more…

If you missed it like I did, Sunday’s Chronicle carried a story by Kevin Moran on our summer of discontent. Here’s a summary and link:

Expansion plans downplayed as staff takes hit from shrinking funds
Houston Chronicle, Oct. 15
In a year when this island city has avoided even the threat of a major natural storm, its largest and oldest employer— the University of Texas Medical Branch — is experiencing an unprecedented financial, employment and political tempest. Facing a $20 million deficit and aiming to cut $130 million in spending in 2007, the 13,000-employee medical center started the year by hiring a consulting firm to heavily reduce expenses. Read more…