Executive Vice President's Message
Disaster: What We Can Do

The enormous impact of disaster—man-made and natural—seldom truly resonates with us until it occurs close to home.  For years, many U.S. citizens enjoyed a naïve sense of security and complacency that made us ill-equipped to deal with the physical and emotional trauma that disaster inflicts.  In the past four years, Americans have faced the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, and now two major natural disasters. The helplessness and despair we feel are a challenge to our professional experience and training in developing and administering good healthcare practices.

So it is both as humans and as participants in CLSI that we find ourselves asking what we can do as an organization to help mitigate the effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  CLSI can and will continue to play a small but important role in assisting healthcare institutions to get back up and running.  The easy part will be donating standards and products to help re-establish clinical and laboratory services.  We can also adopt a liaison role, connecting our volunteer experts with those in need. We will continue to explore the options and act where we can. 

This month's issue of eNews features a Volunteer Focus interview with Thomas Williams, MD, a CLSI volunteer who has devoted much of his life and career to disaster preparedness.  It is our—and Dr. Williams'—intention that this article provide insight and specific information about the ways in which members of the healthcare community can become a part of disaster preparedness efforts, as well as response.

Please know that our thoughts and prayers go out to those thousands of people affected by the innumerable problems caused by the hurricanes and their aftermath.  Please do not hesitate to contact any of our staff to ask for support--guidance in connecting with colleagues, or any other assistance we might give. 

Glen
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