UC San Diego Medical Center Experts Respond to California Fires

Newswise — UCSD Medical Center has on-call experts to answer questions about fire-related injuries as well as disaster response from both the medical and regional perspectives. The UCSD Regional Burn Center, the only burn center serving San Diego and Imperial counties, began receiving patients on Sunday, October 21 when the fires first broke out, and currently is caring for 17 burn victims including 5 firefighters, many in critical condition.

All calls should be directed to 619-543-6163 or page 619-290-2688.

Burn, Trauma & Emergency Medicine: Caring for the Casualties● Raul Coimbra, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.S.Chief of Division of Trauma, Burn and Surgical Critical Care● Bruce Potenza, M.D.Director of UCSD Regional Burn Center● James Dunford, M.D. Professor of Emergency MedicineMedical Director for the City of San Diego

Disaster Preparedness & Response: How San Diego Hospitals Dealt with the 2007 Firestorms● Irving "Jake" Jacoby, M.D.Professor of Emergency Medicine & Disaster Control Officer for UCSD Medical Center Commander of the Federal Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT San Diego CA-4), sponsored by UCSD Medical Center and International Relief Teams ● Thérèse E. Rymer, RN, C.FNP, COHN-S, MAS Director of Emergency Preparedness Response and Deputy Commander for DMAT

Hospital Management During a Crisis; Impact of Crisis● Richard LiekwegChief Executive Officer of UCSD Medical Center

Nursing Response/Nursing Critical Care● Janine Dubina, R.N., Nursing Manager, UCSD Regional Burn Center● John Cruz, R.N., Burn Specialist, UCSD Regional Burn Center

Psychological Impact● Steve Hickman, M.D.Director of UCSD Center for MindfulnessAssistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry● Arpi Minassian, Ph.D.Staff Psychologist, UCSD Medical CenterAssistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry

Respiratory & Pulmonary Damage from Fires and Smoke● Smita A. Desai, D.O.Assistant Clinical Professor of MedicineLung Transplant Specialist● Tim Morris, M.D.Service Chief for Pulmonary MedicineMedical Director of the Respiratory Care and the Pulmonary Function Laboratories