Newswise — Specialists can talk about range of subjects: disaster planning, infectious diseases, environmental impact, social justice issues and the emotional consequences
Experts from the professional schools at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and the University of Maryland Medical Center can discuss many different aspects of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. These include the risk of infectious diseases, health problems resulting from poor water quality and spoiled food, carbon monoxide poisoning and the impact of the disaster on the emotional health of adults and children.
The following specialists are from the University of Maryland Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Law, and the University of Maryland Medical Center, all located in Baltimore.
Robert Edelman, M.D., is a professor of medicine and pediatrics at the School of Medicine and an expert on infectious diseases such as cholera, typhoid and malaria, which can pose risks to those in areas affected by natural disasters. Dr. Edelman can also comment on the dangers of unsafe drinking water.
J. Glenn Morris, Jr., M.D., M.P.H., is professor and chairman of epidemiology and preventive medicine at the School of Medicine. He is an expert in disease risk factors and prevention. His special interests include infectious diseases, epidemics, tropical medicine and food safety.
Connie Noll, R.N., is a patient care manager in Psychiatry at the Medical Center and is also a volunteer mental health coordinator for the American Red Cross. Connie has volunteered in other hurricane ravaged areas of the country, as well as after the Oklahoma City Bombing and in Pennsylvania following the September 11th terrorist airplane hijackings. She can address mental health needs of hurricane victims.
Jon Mark Hirshon, M.D., is an associate professor of surgery at the School of Medicine and is acting director of the National Study Center for Trauma and Emergency Medical Services. He is also an Emergency Department doctor at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Dr. Hirshon has expertise in helping localities plan for bioterroism and natural disasters. He can discuss disaster planning and the next steps to help hurricane survivors rebuild their lives.
James Nataro, M.D., is a professor of pediatrics at the School of Medicine and an expert in pediatric infectious diseases. He can talk about the health effects of contaminated water and the impact of shortages of water and other essentials on children's health.
Brenda Afzal, R.N., is part of the Environmental Nursing Department at the School of Nursing. She is a national expert on water quality and can speak about health issues related to standing and moving water.
Sally Raphel, MS, APRN, CS-P, FAAN, is a clinical instructor in the Department of Family and Community Health at the School of Nursing. She can speak to the emotional effects on children and helping children cope with seeing this disaster on TV, etc., hearing things at school, etc.
Barbara Sattler, Ph.D., RN, FAAN is an associate professor in the School of Nursing's Department of Family and Community Health and can speak about the affects of the hurricane on our environment, including environmental degradation/contamination of the water due to factories being under water. Robyn Gilden, MS, RN, program manager in Family and Community Health, can speak to the same issues.
Michael Greenberger, JD, is a professor at the University of Maryland School of Law and Director of the University of Maryland Center for Health and Homeland Security. He is also a former Justice Department official. He can talk about what he perceives as the federal government's ineffective response to the hurricane.
Jeffrey Johnson, Ph.D., a professor and social epidemiologist at the School of Nursing. He can speak about the social justice issues tied to the Katrina aftermath.
Bruce Anderson, Pharm.D, is director of the Maryland Poison Center, based at the School of Pharmacy. He can talk about the potential hazards of food spoilage, carbon monoxide poisoning from damaged or clogged water heaters, generators, and home heating systems.
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