Issue link: https://tmcpulse.uberflip.com/i/1189458
29 t m c » p u l s e | d e c 2 0 1 9/JA N 2 02 0 • • • HARRIS COUNTY INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC SCIENCES Launched new disaster assistance strategy The Texas Mass Fatality Operations Response Team, or TMORT, began as an idea at Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences (HCIFS) and has matured into a statewide strategy for providing medicolegal assistance to jurisdic- tions overwhelmed by disaster circumstances. TMORT deployed for the first time to assist in the response to the mass shooting in El Paso, Texas, on Aug. 3, 2019. Three HCIFS staff mem- bers helped examine and identify the deceased and manage associated evidence. TMORT is part of the broader Texas Emergency Medical Task Force, a group capable of providing scal- able responses to medical disasters by rapidly activating members from unaffected EMS and fire departments, public and private health care organizations, universities, regional coalitions and state and local government—including private and county medical examiners' offices. • • • HOUSTON HOSPICE Presented Community Spirit Award Nina Wickman received the 2019 Laura Lee Blanton Community Spirit Award at Houston Hospice's annual Spirit Award Dinner on October 15, one of the organization's most successful fundraising events. A former fund- raiser for Houston Ballet, Wickman directed a $14 million capital campaign that financed the building of Houston Hospice's current inpa- tient care center and chapel, and the renovation of offices located in Holcombe House. • • • HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL Served oldest living kidney donor in United States An 84-year-old Texas man became the oldest living kidney donor in the U.S. after donating to his 72-year-old neighbor at Houston Methodist Hospital. Frank Dewhurst knew Linda Nall's kid- neys were failing, but it wasn't until he saw a sign in her front yard that he took action. ➟ • • • HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM Tackled food insecurity and diabetes with new program A new program at Harris Health System called Population Health Transformation addresses the social and economic needs of patients— aside from providing medical care—through direct and collaborative intervention. Harris Health expanded its flourishing community farm at Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital this year; by next spring, the 1-acre farm should yield 500 pounds of produce for patients every week. Additionally, a food "farmacy" (mini grocery store) at Strawberry Health Center opened its aisles for patients with food insecurity and uncontrolled diabetes, a first-of-its-kind effort in partnership with Houston Food Bank. Patients are given a prescription for 30 pounds of food every two weeks to help them eat healthfully and manage disease. The success- ful program may be replicated at other Harris Health locations. JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER - Be the first to know our opening date - Get happy hour and dinng specials - Recieve exclusive discounts for rooms and events SIGN UP: westinhoustonmedicalcenter.com EXPERIENCE THE ALL-NEW WESTIN Westin Houston Medical Center brings groundbreaking, inspirational design, exceptional dining and a tranquil escape - an infusion of wellness and distinctive service unlike any other. 1709 DRYDEN ROAD, HOUSTON TX 77030 | 713.730.2404 | SALES@THEWESTINHOUSTON.COM