An organisational safety net in an academic setting: An evaluation

Author's Biography

Esther Chachkes recently retired as the Director of Social Work and Therapeutic Recreation at the New York University Medical Center, where she was also a member of the Ethics Committee. She is a clinical associate professor at the NYU School of Medicine and the NYU School of Social Work, teaching in the school’s post-master’s certificate programme in palliative and end-of-life care. She is currently a consultant to the NYU School of Social Work, Division of Life Long Learning and Professional Development. She also teaches in the Smith College School of Social Work’s post-master’s programme in palliative and end-of-life care. E-mail: Esther.chachkes@nyumc.org

Lewis S. Nelson is Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at New York University School of Medicine, and an attending physician in its affiliated hospitals. He is also the Director of the Medical Toxicology Fellowship. He is an elected member of the Board of Directors of the American College of Medical Toxicology. In addition to writing for books and journals, he is an editor of Goldfrank’s Toxicologic Emergencies, and presents frequently at national and international meetings. Dr Nelson is currently examining the emergency readiness implications of mass casualty disasters on behalf of the Department of Homeland Security. E-mail: Lewis.nelson@nyumc.org

Ian Portelli is the project manager for New York University’s Center for Catastrophe Preparedness and Response and NYU School of Medicine. He manages the Department of Homeland Security Large Scale Emergency Readiness (LaSER) Project. He has a BSc from the University of Malta and an MSc from Manchester University. He has experience in research and consulting in paediatrics and biogenetics, and substantial military medical expertise. For the past five years, Ian has been focusing on research and leadership in the disaster preparedness and management arena while working with non-profit, governmental and academic organisations. Email: Ian.portelli@nyu.edu

Richard Woodrow is a seasoned educator, social worker, and organisational change practitioner. He is Executive Director of Organizational Change and Learning at NYU Langone Medical Center and Clinical Associate Professor at NYU School of Medicine. Dr. Woodrow is also an adviser to the Institute for Medical Education at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and recipient of a 2005 Teacher Recognition Award for his accomplishments in faculty development. A frequent speaker on organisational influence and change, he was 2006 President of the Society for Social Work Leadership in Health Care, a 1,300-member national organisation affiliated with the American Hospital Association. E-mail: Richard.woodrow@nyumc.org

Renny Bloch is an Organizational Development Specialist with New York University Langone Medical Center’s Organizational Development & Learning department. His professional experience has primarily been within large healthcare organisations. He has worked in various capacities at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Visiting Nurse Service of New York, and specialises in designing and delivering a variety of leadership development workshops and customer service training programmes. Renny has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Business Administration from the University of New Hampshire and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University. E-mail: Renny.bloch@nyumc.org

Lewis R. Goldfrank is the first Chairman and Professor of New York University’s Department of Emergency Medicine. He is also the Medical Director of the New York City Health Department’s Poison Center. He has served as the Chairman of the American Board of Emergency Medicine’s sub-board on Medical Toxicology, the American Board of Medical Toxicology and the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine. He is senior editor of Goldfrank’s Toxicologic Emergencies. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine. He currently chairs the standing committee at the IOM on Personal Protective Equipment in the Workforce. E-mail: Lewis.goldfrank@nyumc.org