Meet the employees who made sure the patients and employees who rode out Harvey at the hospital didn't
have to worry about what was for dinner ... or breakfast or lunch
Fall 2017 : Storm stories
How MD Anderson responded to an unprecedented storm
MD Anderson’s Incident Command center was activated Aug. 23, bringing together leaders responsible for coordinating emergency operations and communications. photo by F. Carter Smith
Here’s how events unfolded:
Preparations
Aug. 23: MD Anderson’s Incident Command Center is activated Wednesday, Aug. 23, bringing together leaders responsible for coordinating emergency operations and communications. The team meets four times before Hurricane Harvey’s landfall.
Aug. 24: Delivery of 1,000 cots begins.
Aug. 25: Crews begin installing 79 floodgates.
Hurricane Harvey highlights
Aug. 25: Hurricane Harvey makes landfall near Rockport as a Category 4 hurricane around 10 p.m., then stalls over Texas.
Aug. 26: Its outer bands continue to produce significant rain for areas east of the eye. The most devastating impact to the Houston area begins. Record-breaking amounts of rain fall quickly, as much as 5 inches an hour in some places.
The Harris County Flood Control District estimates the county received 1 trillion gallons of water in just four days.
The storm moves back into the Gulf of Mexico and eventually makes landfall again in Cameron, Louisiana, on Aug. 30.
UTPD used high-water vehicles to bring critical staff to the hospital.
photo by Adolfo Chavez III
photo by Adolfo Chavez III
MD Anderson highlights
Aug. 27: When the extent of the flooding becomes apparent, about 1,000 faculty and staff are on-site. Because it’s deemed unsafe to travel, they’re designated as the ride-out team.
As the floodwaters rise around the Houston area, about 530 patients and 300 family members or guests are in the hospital.
Aug. 28: Physicians are asked to come in to join the ride-out team. Managers are assessing the ability of critical staff to make it to the hospital.
Aug. 29: Critical staff arrive to supplement the ride-out team.
Aug. 30: The institution begins to slowly start key operations, including treatments for patients needing urgent care and critical surgeries.
Aug. 31 – Sept. 4: The institution continues to restore more operations and treat rescheduled patients.
Average inpatient census: 439 patients Outpatients treated: Over 1,200 Patients receiving chemotherapy in the Ambulatory Treatment Center: 857 Surgeries: 32
Sept. 5: The institution returns to normal operations.
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An unsinkable commitment to patients and each other
While a record-setting storm flooded many parts of the Houston area and the Gulf Coast, MD Anderson’s workforce showed the power of teamwork by stepping up and doing whatever it took to maintain continuous care for patients
During the weather emergency, she emerged as a key leader
Marian Von-Maszewski’s training and experience in crisis situations proved very valuable in her role as an incident commander during Harvey
UTPD served and protected by bringing in crucial supplies, staff and blood donations
University of Texas Police Department Assistant Police Chief Vicki King called on the Houston Police Department and the City of Houston for help in transporting vital blood donations and staff through the floodwaters
Nurses care for patients and each other during Harvey
Chief Nursing Officer Carol Porter, D.N.P., has treated patients through blizzards, hurricanes and 9/11. Her training was valuable during the storm.
Pediatric oncologist trudged, waded and swam 8 miles to care for patients
Jose Cortes, M.D., wouldn't let floodwaters keep him from the intensive care unit of the Children’s Cancer Hospital
Past weather emergencies have strengthened the storm-tested cancer center
Extensive emergency planning, collaboration and a strong commitment to patients were crucial to the cancer center maintaining operations during the unprecedented event
