Donald J. Gordon, Ph.D., M.D., health science center professor of emergency health sciences, has been reappointed as chair of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Preparedness Coordinating Council (PCC). Dr. Gordon will serve for two years. His first appointment as chair began in July 2005 and this year his membership was extended to June 2011.
The PCC manages plans for organizing volunteers for disaster responses and preparedness grants made to the DSHS, including the National Institutes of Health and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It also coordinates the communication between logistical and informational suppliers to the state in a disaster. As chair, Dr. Gordon is responsible for planning and organizing work groups, and facilitating the needs for the council so that it can accomplish its mission.
“I am honored to be reappointed to the council for six years and to be reappointed as chair of this organization, which is vital to disaster response,” Dr. Gordon said. “I am proud to represent the Health Science Center and San Antonio, which is on the forefront of disaster preparedness in Texas. Many of our innovations are now used throughout the state.”
The PCC meets quarterly in Austin and has participants including physicians, nurses, disaster managers, hospital managers, and members of the American Red Cross (ARC) and the Native American Council. Other members include representatives of the AARP, the Council of Governments, the Public Health Association, the Governor’s EMS and Trauma Advisory Council and the Mental Health Association. The PCC also evaluates the administration of approximately $48 million and produces an annual report.
Dr. Gordon also serves as medical director of the San Antonio Fire Department and the Leon Valley Fire Department, and he is the founding medical director of the Bexar County Responders Network. He was recently selected by the national headquarters of the ARC to receive the 2005-2006 American Red Cross Health and Safety Volunteer of the Year Award. There are approximately 1 million ARC volunteers.
“Physicians and Health Science Center faculty need to become more involved in disaster planning, because Texas depends on each individual profession for its vitality and strength,” Dr. Gordon said. “Our citizens look to the licensed professional in times of great and special need.”
Dr. Gordon will maintain his dual role as chair of the PCC and professor of emergency health sciences at the Health Science Center.
