TTUHSC ELF Project two-month pass (November and December). The money raised will help meet the needs those nominated and approved by the ELF committee. On Nov. 21, mini Christmas trees will be placed around the campus with ELF tags, which include a wish list for a family. Wishes are generally reasonable and include and outfit and a toy. While expensive gifts are sometimes requested, families know those might go unfunded. Employees can see the family’s wishes on the tag and choose one that fits their budget. Employees can go above and beyond the wishes requested. Tags, along with wrapped gifts, are to be returned no later than Dec. 21.
IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE, but when this issue of, “The Beat,” is released there will only be 54 more days until Christmas. As the old saying goes, it’s always better to give than receive. The unemployment rate in Amarillo is around six percent, meaning there are plenty of families who are going to need help providing their families a happy holiday season. While there are many organizations and ways to give back, TTUHSC is hopeful employees will consider the ELF (Employee Love Fund) Project. The ELF Project started in the late ‘80s when the director of the Amarillo Physical Plant, Phil White, saw an employee in need and wanted to help. It was a cold winter and this family was without a water heater. Soon, all of the cold baths and showers started to take a toll on the family’s health. White stepped up, raised the money and purchased the family a hot water heater. Members from the maintenance team installed the water heater during their free time, free of charge. That same year, a small group of employees collected toys and bought prepared holiday meals for some of the most needy families. The project has since grown into a campus wide event that gives employees the opportunity to help their co-workers.
“TTUHSC hopes you will consider taking a tag and fulfilling a wish of a co-worker.” On Dec. 1,TTUHSC will gather in the Harrington Auditorium, located in the School of Pharmacy building, for the annual holiday lunch where employees will be treated to a traditional turkey dinner. The remaining tags will be on display, employees will have the opportunity to buy tickets for raffle prizes and take part in a silent auction. If there are funds remaining after all gifts are purchased, gift cards will be given to each of the families to ensure they also have a nice holiday dinner. Last year, the ELF Project helped 23 families including 86 children, all families who might not otherwise had the merriest of New Years. One TTUHSC employee, Dulcina Hurtado, put it best. “This is an HSC Amarillo event, where we can come together as a family and help our fellow co-workers when they need it.” Hurtado said. Hurtado added this might be the toughest year because of the economy and it’s expected that nominations could double. While there are so many ways to help this holiday season and many organizations in need, TTUHSC hopes you will consider taking a tag and fulfilling a wish of a co-worker. Please keep in mind, these are people who work beside you, on the floor above you and often pass in the halls.
On Nov. 1, nomination forms will be sent and these cans will be set up around campus. Employees then nominate co-workers who might need a helping hand this holiday season and return the form via intercampus mail to Dulcina Hurtado, Department of Surgery. All nominations are confidential and must be turned in by Nov. 17 at 5 p.m. During the following two months, departments are encouraged to participate in ELF fundraisers such as jeans day and ELF drawings. Jeans day allows employees to wear jeans for a small fee. Employees can pay $2 per day, $25 per month or $40 for a
The Elf Project is always looking for volunteers to ensure its continuation for years to come, anyone interested contact Hurtado, dulcina.hurtado@ttuhsc.edu. Let’s all pull together and make this holiday season a merry one for all our co-workers, friends and neighbors.
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TTUHSC the BEAT NOV. 2, 2011
CHILI
HALLOWEEN VIDEO:
COOKOFF: THE SMELL OF CHILI was resonating from the from the Department of Obstetrics Gynecology last Friday, as the group hosted its second annual chili cook off.
Tracy Brewer, Chili Cook-off winner SPEAKING OF HOLIDAYS, Halloween has come and gone but if you are looking for one more treat, check out our latest staff video. As Richard Jordan, M.D., regional dean of the School of Medicine at Amarillo, put it, there have been some weird happenings around campus, SiMCentral and even in the dean’s conference room. If you haven’t already, you can watch the video on our Facebook page, YouTube channel or by going to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDi0XVxS3Ag&feature=y outu.be
Members of the staff whipped up seven different kinds of chili and invited their co-workers to taste and pick the best. While they were all fantastic, Tracy Brewer (Pot 2) had the winning recipe. Anna Rodriguez (Pot 5) and Lesli Burnes (Pot 1) tied for second place . Third place went to Candace Lanier (Pot 4), the “The Beat” staff tried to ‘beat’ the recipe out of the winner, however it’s a family secret, handed down for generations, and will remain a mystery. Maybe if you see Brewer in person, she’ll spill the beans, which were confirmed as one of the winning ingredients.
A big thanks to all who helped make the video possible.
RAIDER PIC OF THE WEEK This week’s picture comes from the Facebook page of Cool Horses, TTUHSC employee Cynthia Forrest found the picture and thought it was cute. In the process of making sure we could use the picture of the horse, it was discovered the horse, whose name is Little Joe, actually has a blog. Follow these links to get an inside look at the mind of a horse. http://mrsrh.multiply.com/journal/item/260 http://mrsrh.multiply.com/journal/item/261 http://mrsrh.multiply.com/journal/item/262 CAMERAS COME STANDARD on smartphones these days and people seem to enjoy capturing those memorable moments more than ever.
If you have a picture you would like to share, email steven.pair@ttuhsc.edu.
Because of that, “The Beat” staff decided to start new feature, Raider Pic of the Week.
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TTUHSC the BEAT NOV. 2, 2011
NEWS FROM THE LIBRARY:
HAPPENINGS THANKS TO ALL of our new Facebook fans. The TTUHSC Amarillo Facebook page now has more than 580 likes. What would you like to see on the page? Drop us a line and let us know. Email your comments, thoughts and suggestions to steven.pair@ttuhsc.edu.
MONEY SAVING TIP
INTRODUCING KOHA, the TTUHSC Libraries' new online catalog. Koha makes it easier to discover library resources, renew materials, and much more. Please join the TTUHSC Harrington Library faculty, on Wednesday, November 9, 2011, as they present an informal demonstration of Koha.
DID YOU KNOW that as a state employee, you could save money on your AT&T cell phone bill? State employees are eligible for a 20 percent savings on their cell phone bills. Email steven.pair@ttuhsc.edu for a form or drop by your local AT&T store and provide the Fan # 02417741 to start saving today.
The demonstration will be presented on a come and go basis in the Harrington Library at 1400 Wallace Boulevard, anytime between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. No registration or sign-up is required.
If you don’t use AT&T, be sure to check on savings with your cell phone provider. Other cell phone companies also generally offer discounts to state employees.
If you are unable to attend, drop by the Harrington Library for a demonstration or to schedule an individual appointment. Contact Harrington Library at 354-5448 for additional information. Discover Koha at your library: http://www.ttuhsc.edu/libraries, under the “Library Catalog” link.
COMMUNITY MEDICAL SCHOOL IN RECENT YEARS, experts have seen an increase in diseases once thought to be a thing of the past. It’s news like that which begs the question if adults should get vaccines as well as children.
THE TEXAS PANHANDLE saw its first dose of winter weather this past week, just another reminder that you need get signed up for STAT!Alert.
During the next community medical school, Faisal Khasawneh, M.D., will present “Adult Vaccines: You are Never Too Old to Get Shots.”
STAT!Alert is an emergency alert notification system to communicate important alerts and emergency response information to students, faculty and staff. For example, if we have to close the campus down because of snow one day this winter, we’ll send an alert out via STAT!Alert, if you’re not signed up, you might make the trip to campus for nothing. To get signed up today to stay informed, just follow this link. http://www.ttuhsc.edu/emergencyalert/
School is scheduled for Nov. 8. Enjoy light refreshments at 5:30 p.m. in the School of Medicine Lobby, and Khasawneh’s presentation will begin at 6 p.m. in the School of Pharmacy Auditorium.
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TTUHSC the BEAT NOV. 2, 2011
OUT AND ABOUT
TTUHSC GROUP HOCKEY NIGHT ARE YOU LOOKING to spend a fun night with your co-workers? TTUHSC group hockey is Nov. 4. The Amarillo Bulls will host the Odessa Jackalops at the Amarillo Civic Center. The puck drops at 7 p.m. Tickets are $8. To reserve your tickets, call the Bulls office at (806) 242-1122 and ask for the TTUHSC group rate.
RED RAIDER FOOTBALL Wreck ‘Em Tech!
Nov. 4 TTUHSC Group Hockey Night 7 p.m.
Nov. 5: Texas Tech at Texas
Nov. 15 National Memory Screening Day 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Nov. 12: Texas Tech v. Oklahoma State
CAMPUS KUDOS those who have a history of demonstrated exceptional service and devotion to their communities. That includes volunteerism and outreach with emphasis on improving the lives of others.
THANKS TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED in the Vein Drain last Friday. Coffee Memorial Blood Center collected 17 units of blood.
Jenkins has organized and continues to help educate our community with events such as Hablando de la Salud de la Mujer (Speaking ofWomen’s Health), Lunch ‘n Learns, and GiRL (Growing Relationships in Life) Power.
DURING THE RECENT President’s Faculty Convocation and Awards Ceremony, Marjorie Jenkins, M.D., regional director and chief scientific officer for the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health, received the President’s Excellence in Community Engagement Award. According to the operating policy and procedures, this award is given to
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