USA Biomedical Library Promotes Disaster Preparation and Awareness

The University of South Alabama Biomedical Library will partner with two local public library systems to host two community events in an effort to help coastal citizens prepare for disasters – particularly those involving severe tropical weather.

On June 5, 2010, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., USA will co-host a Hurricane Preparedness: Community Day Event at the West Regional Branch of the Mobile Public Library at 5555 Grelot Rd. On June 26, 2010, they will co-host another Hurricane Preparedness: Community Day Event at the Fairhope Public Library at 501 Fairhope Ave.

Both events will feature local exhibitors from each county’s public health departments, area first responders, local media outlets, representatives from the USA Coastal Weather Research Center, the USA emergency medical services education department and others. Additionally, representatives from participating groups will staff information booths at both the Mobile and Fairhope events.

The day-long events will include information about hurricanes from weather professionals, interactive talks and demonstrations on cutting-edge communication technologies, safe pet evacuation, first aid, coping with storm-related life interruptions, and other general disaster preparedness information.

Deitra Tate, the weekend/WeatherPlus meteorologist from WPMI-TV, will be a celebrity reader for the children’s story hour at the Mobile Public Library West Regional Branch on June 5 at 11 a.m. Later that day, Alan Sealls, chief meteorologist for WKRG-TV, will present “How Many Hurricanes?” at 2 p.m. at the same location.

On June 26 at 1 p.m., Dr. Bill Williams, director of the USA Coastal Weather Research Center, will present “Hurricanes Past, Present, and Future” at the Fairhope Public Library event.

Community Day is part of “Ready America,” a nationwide effort initiated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, encouraging Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, schools and communities. The goal of the USA Biomedical Library’s two events is to promote libraries as active partners in a community’s emergency advance planning, response and recovery.

Both Community Day events are funded by an award the USA Biomedical Library recently received from the National Network of the National Libraries of Medicine Southeast/Atlantic Region.

For more information, contact Justin Robertson, associate librarian at the Baugh Biomedical Library at (251) 460-7045.

"Women's Health: Beyond Babies"

The May Med School Café lecture will feature Dr. Nicole Brooks, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine. Her lecture, titled “Women’s Health: Beyond Babies,” will take place May 26, 2010, at the Chandler YMCA at 951 Downtowner Blvd. in Mobile. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m., and the presentation begins at noon.

Dr. Brooks, a specialist in urogynecology, will lecture on the physical changes that take place in women following their “child-bearing” years. During her talk, Dr. Brooks will outline the benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy; provide information on preventing osteoporosis; discuss sexual health for women in their 40s and beyond; and treatment of urinary incontinence.

The Med School Café lecture and lunch are provided free of charge, but reservations are required. For more information or to make reservations, please call Kim Barnes at (251) 460-7770 or e-mail kebarnes@usouthal.edu .

Med School Café is a free community lecture series sponsored by the USA Physicians Group. Each month, faculty from the USA College of Medicine share their expertise on a specific medical condition, providing insight on the latest treatment available as well as promising new research.