Dear Colleagues:
As multiple wildfires continue to devastate communities throughout Los Angeles County, we recognize the significant impact that these events are having on members of our department. We know that some of our faculty, trainees and staff have been directly affected and have had to evacuate their homes amidst rapidly evolving fires.
Your well-being and safety is our most important priority and we continue to seek out information and resources to help in the recovery efforts. We are inspired by the acts of support seen throughout our department. Many of you have stepped forward to help colleagues during this difficult time, and we are grateful for your solidarity.
TEMPORARY HOUSING
In addition to the hotel resources shared yesterday, DoM community members have generously offered temporary housing options in their homes starting today for department colleagues. If you need temporary housing, please fill out the form below and we will try our best to connect you with available resources.
The University of California system has extensive travel contracts that are available to all employees through the UCLA Travel website. The rates for hotels, cars, and flights are well-negotiated and leverage the purchasing power of the UC system. These rates are available for personal as well as business use. When using the system for personal travel, please be sure to indicate this during the booking process.
If you need to access these resources, please click HERE to learn how to navigate the travel website and make a booking.
SUPPLIES
For any DoM community member in need of basic supplies, please feel free to stop by our pickup center located at:
The following items are currently available:
- Toiletries (soaps, body wash, toothbrushes, razors)
- Body lotions
- Bottled waters
- Kind breakfast bars
- Snacks including apples, bananas, popcorn, and chips
- Diapers and diaper wipes
- Honest Juices (kids)
- Portable power banks (limited)
You may also request supplies by filling out the supplies request form below.
For those who are currently staying at the Luskin Conference Center or the Guest House/Inn at UCLA
Starting at 5pm today, you can stop by the front desk for bags with basic toiletries and snacks. Please mention that you are a part of the "DoM" or "Department of Medicine." We do not know the exact number of faculty and staff at these sites. If there are no additional bags left, please leave your name and room number with the front desk and we will bring more over this evening and tomorrow.
DONATIONS
If you would like to make a donation of supplies, please feel free to stop by our supplies center Monday - Friday, from 8am-5pm or email us at DoMWellness@mednet.ucla.edu to coordinate a drop off outside of those hours. We are working diligently to arrange additional donation sites and hours for our community members.
OPERATIONS UPDATES
We continue to closely monitor developments related to the fires in our service areas. The UCLA campus has curtailed operations. Our hospitals continue to operate without interruptions. However, additional community practices have closed due to new fire activity. Stay informed about the latest operation updates from UCLA Health News – Fire Update, campus updates by visiting UCLA Bruin Safe Online, and DoM-specific updates at DoM Connect.
We remain committed to supporting each other during this challenging time. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need assistance or have questions at DoMWellness@mednet.ucla.edu. We will continue to work together to provide help where it is needed most.
Sincerely,
E. Dale Abel, MD, PhD
William S. Adams Distinguished Professor of Medicine
Chair and Executive Medical Director
Department of Medicine
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and UCLA Health
Tisha Wang, MD
Professor of Clinical Medicine
Senior Executive Clinical Vice Chair
UCLA Department of Medicine
Sun Mi Yoo, MD, MPH
Chief Wellness Officer, Department of Medicine
Section Chief, Extensivist and Palliative Care Services
UCLA Department of Medicine
