After the Storm: Effects of Hurricane Ike on University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) & Galveston Island

Aims: This presentation will depict the impact of Hurricane Ike on UTMB and the island of Galveston and describe resultant challenges to public health and to meeting UTMB's service, education, and research missions. Methods: When Hurricane Ike struck on September 13, 2008, the UTMB campus and surrounding community of Galveston suffered major devastation to campus and community infrastructure, affecting physical, environmental, economic, social, communication, and health and social service subsystems and resulting in numerous challenges. The entire community was faced with meeting basic needs, and UTMB was further challenged in meeting its education, service, and research mission. Results: Many UTMB students, staff, faculty, and other employees were among community members who lost homes and belongings. Building and equipment damage or loss forced adjustments to providing health services, offering classes and clinical, and continuing research. These and other challenges required creative and innovative strategies, including the forming of new partnerships or collaborations, re-structuring and re-inventing classes and teaching methods, and adjusting research protocols. Past good relationships with community partners and other institutions provided a platform on which to build strategies for first survival, then recovery. Conclusions: Successful recovery after a large-scale disaster is a complex and lengthy process requiring commitment, stamina, flexibility, and adaptation. Participation in community recovery is an excellent way to develop additional opportunities for service, new clinical sites and methods for students, and alternative research protocols, sites, or populations.