AFIP: Supplemental Appropriation Bill signed by President with moratorium language

Office of the Press Secretary

_______________________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                 June 24, 2009

 

The President released a statement after signing HR 2346 in the Oval Office:

 

"I want to thank the Members of Congress who put politics aside and stood up to support a bill that will provide for the safety of our troops and the American people. This legislation will make available the funding necessary to bring the war in Iraq to a responsible end, defeat terrorist networks in Afghanistan, and further prepare our nation in the event of a continued outbreak of the H1N1 pandemic flu."

 

Final Moratorium Language for Public Law No: 111-32

 

“Sec. 1001. None of the funds appropriated in this or any other Act may be used to disestablish, reorganize, or relocate the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology , except for the Armed Forces Medical Examiner and the National Museum of Health and Medicine, until the President has established, as required by section 722 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law 110-181; 122 Stat. 199; 10 U.S.C. 176 note), a Joint Pathology Center , and the Joint Pathology Center is demonstrably performing the minimum requirements set forth in section 722 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008.”

 

The President signed the supplemental yesterday afternoon, with the moratorium language in it.

 

Florabel G. Mullick, MD, ScD, FCAP

Senior Executive Service

The Director

 

AFIP's Armed Forces Medical Examiner featured on Fresh Air

Slain Soldiers Offer Clues To Protect The Living

Fresh Air from WHYY, June 24, 2009 · In previous wars, fallen soldiers rarely received post-mortem examinations, but that changed in 2001, when the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology began conducting autopsies on all slain service men and women. In 2004, the examinations were expanded to include CT scans.

CT Scans help show the pathway of wounds caused by bullets or shrapnel so that a less invasive autopsy can be conducted. While this improves the work of doctors, the data has a grim upside.

Captain Craig T. Mallak, a pathologist and lawyer who is also the chief of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, describes how the physical and sometimes virtual autopsies of soldiers who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan have not only assisted in the design of body armor, helmets and vehicle shields, but medical equipment as well.

One specific example is the recent improvement of chest tubes used buy combat medics. By examining 100 Ct Scans and measuring wounds, doctors found that because soldiers were in better shape than civilians, they needed longer tubes and needles to penetrate the chest wall and reach the collapsed lung.

Combat medics now carry the improved equipment on the battlefield.

Brush your teeth

Here's a pretty neat super-zoom of the surface of a tooth.

Just ignore the flat-stomach ad off to the right of the video - they're not talking to you.

Seminary tours

The Seminary at Forest Glenn, the former’s girl school turned Army base, turned condos, has a tour this weekend:

 

http://www.saveourseminary.org/schedules.html

 

Visitors to the Museum can see a mural by Jack McMillen of how the Seminary appeared during World War 2.

 

NYTimes on traumatic brain injury research

The Museum has an extremely large collection of brains and slices thereof that can be used in this type of research. For information on current research in other places, see A Chance for Clues to Brain Injury in Combat Blasts
By ALAN SCHWARZ
Published: June 23, 2009
Twenty members of the military have donated their brain tissue upon death to help scientists determine the effects of blast injuries on the brain.

FW: Interested in medical illustration? Register today for NMHM's FREE medical illustration class, July 11th.

 

 

“An Introduction to Techniques in Medical Illustration”

When: Saturday, July 11, 2009 (1:00 – 4:00 p.m.)

 

Where: National Museum of Health and Medicine

 

What: This workshop will explore the delicate beauty of traditional carbon dust illustration. While working from real specimens, participants will learn about the careful observation and drawing techniques required to create beautiful and accurate drawings using carbon dust, colored pencil, and ink. Ages 13 to adult. All levels welcome.

 

Course leader: Elizabeth Lockett, Scientific Illustrator and Collections Manager of the Museum’s Human Developmental Anatomy Center

 

Pre-registration is required by July 1, 2009: (202) 782-2673. Class limited to 15 students.

 

Cost: FREE!

 

Photo ID required.

 

Information: nmhminfo@afip.osd.mil or (202) 782-2673

 

www.nmhm.washingtondc.museum

And here I thought no one read us

Mike sent this email around today. I don't know why he didn't post it here already - I know he's not shy so that can't be the reason.

The Medical Museion blog mentioned their blog rank and put a link to a blog ranking site - so I checked it out.

We’re #6, right above them, and higher than any art museums whom I expected would fill the top tier.

To be honest, I have no idea how they figure this out and looking at individual stats further down makes our whole ranking look fishy, but it was neat to see.

National Dental Museum in Baltimore seeks director

Here’s the announcement –

 

Director - National Museum of Dentistry - Baltimore, MD

http://www.museumprofessionals.org/forum/administrators/4551-director-national-museum-dentistry-baltimore-md.html

 

User-friendly syringes

From Core77, a design blog, comes news of a disposable syringe designed by the kitchen-tool people, OXO, for people with rheumatoid arthritis. I love ideas like this. The top of the picture shows the 5 newly-designed areas, plus they added easy-open packaging.

NMHM staff member attending cadaver prosection course

This local Indiana online news network talks about the cadaver prosection course that an NMHM staff member attended last year, and another is planning to attend this year.  

 

http://www.valpolife.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2883:iun-announces-2009-participants-in-international-human-cadaver-prosection-program&catid=160:education&Itemid=169

 

Smithsonian anthropologist profiled in Post

Doug Owsley is profiled in "Old West Mystery, Solved in D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Forensic Anthropologists Unravel Buffalo Soldier's Story," By Michael E. Ruane, Washington Post Staff Writer Tuesday, June 16, 2009 .

Eadweard Muybridge - an anniversary

Wired.com reports that on this day in 1878, Eadweard Muybridge used "high-speed stop-motion photography to capture a horse's motion." It just so happens we have a few samples of Muybridge's work. Here's (a scan of a photocopy of a copy print) of one of them from our collection.

David Macaulay at Medical Museum

David Macaulay spoke for 50 minutes at the Medical Museum today. He covered a few sections of his new book on the human body (of which originals are on display), showed some artwork and sketches that didn't go into the book, and it was a very good talk. He's speaking again twice on Saturday, June 13th so cruise 16th St and check it out.

TB Sanatorium records donated today

Charlotte Perry donated George Ellis Mills' records to the archives today. Mills, Charlotte's grandfather, was Director of the Boehne Tuberculosis Sanatorium in Evansville, Indiana, in the 1920s, until his untimely death in 1929. We received annual reports (no, no, not the boring, all-number kind; these have a lot of interesting narrative about the hospital with some great photos as illustrations), typewritten manuscripts about the rules and regulations there, more transcripts about tuberculosis, and 5 panoramic photos of staff and patients. I'll be making a finding aid next week, which will give me more time to read everything and scan some of the photos from the annual reports.

2057 new computer catalogue records added in Emu today

Catalogue records for 2057 files/folders from the Archives’ Medical Ephemera collection of clippings, brochures and pamphlets were imported as titles into our new computer catalogue EMU today. These are from 3 series – biographical, organizational and subject files. An example would read as: Ephemera - Trade Literature - folder - Barton, Clara (1821-1912) [Medical Ephemera] so when we eventually get the catalogue online you could search on *Barton in the titles, and you’ll get this file. In the meantime, you can still use this static (and sorry, out of date) finding aid at http://www.nmhm.washingtondc.museum/collections/archives/asearch/afinding_aids/ephemera/ephemera.html

Eye Prosthetics at Walter Reed

The Walter Reed Army Medical Center has a weekly newspaper, Stripe. This article is from last week's edition.

Interactive talk on human anatomy with David Macaulay at NMHM tomorrow, 6/12 & Sat., 6/13

 

 

©2008 David Macaulay

 

“The real beauty of the human body, as it turns out, has little to do with outward appearance. It is displayed in and beneath the skin in a remarkable demonstration of economy and efficiency.”

— David Macaulay from The Way We Work

 

 “David Macaulay: Author Talk & Book Signing”

When: Friday, June 12, 2009 (1:00-2:30 p.m.)

Saturday, June 13, 2009 (10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. & 1:00-2:30 p.m.)

 

Where: National Museum of Health and Medicine

 

What: Join David Macaulay for an interactive and lively discussion about his new book, “The Way We Work,” as he illuminates the most important machine of all -- the human body. Your body is made up of various complex systems, and Macaulay is a master at making the complex understandable. He shows how the parts of the body work together, from the mechanics of a hand, to the process by which the heart pumps blood, to the chemical exchanges necessary to sustain life. A book signing will follow the discussion.

 

Cost: FREE!

 

Bring your kids along! This is a great opportunity to teach children about the human body.

 

Photo ID required.

 

Information: nmhminfo@afip.osd.mil or (202) 782-2200

 

www.nmhm.washingtondc.museum

 

David Macaulay bio: Born on December 2, 1946, Macaulay was eleven when his family moved from England to the United States. An early fascination with simple technology and a love of model-making and drawing ultimately led him to study architecture at the Rhode Island School of Design. He received his degree in 1969 after spending his fifth year with RISD’s European Honors Program in Rome. Macaulay is probably best known for a very thick book called “The Way Things Work” (1988), an exhaustively researched compendium of the intricate workings involved in almost anything that functions. It was followed by “Black and White,” winner of the 1991 Caldecott Medal. Over the next decade, Macaulay published eight additional books, and in 2003 he began a volume about the workings of the human body—the results of which comprise this exhibition. In 2006, Macaulay was named a MacArthur fellow.

Andrea Seabrook of NPR is interested in us

Andrea Seabrook of NPR came by yesterday to look at our photograph collections and is planning on doing a story on the pictures.  More to come as we find out about it, but we talked for about 2 1/2 hours.

National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM), Forest Glen, Maryland presolicitation construction bid online

https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=b43052fd9f26a0270e9d70c957876ea0&tab=core&_cview=1

Y--National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM), Forest Glen, Maryland

Solicitation Number: W912DR-09-R-0070

Agency: Department of the Army
Office: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Location: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore

Solicitation Number:

W912DR-09-R-0070

Notice Type:

Presolicitation

Synopsis:

Added: May 27, 2009 4:40 pm Modified: May 28, 2009 11:08 amTrack Changes

This proposed procurement is 100% Set Aside for Small Business with NAICS category 236220 with small business standard $33,500,000.00.

This two-step procurement is being advertised as a Request for Proposal (RFP). Phase I consists solely of qualifications of contractors. Phase II requires the government to evaluate separate technical and cost proposals. This RFP requires the government to perform separate concurrent evaluations based on the best value award of the project.

In phase I the prequalification phase offerors will submit their technical proposal as directed in the solicitation. The government will competitively evaluate the proposals based on the evaluation criteria set forth in the solicitation package issued on or about 12 June 2009. There will be a site visit at 0100 EST local time, on or about 22 June 2009. Qualifications of contractors are due on or about 13 July 2009.

In phase II, those offerors who pre-qualified under the Phase I qualification stage will be issued an amendment for Phase II ON OR ABOUT 11 September 2009. There will be a site visit on or about 16 September 2009. Proposals will be due on or about 16 October 2009, and will include the specification package and associated plans or drawings.

Estimated cost of construction is between $10,000,000.00 and $25,000,000.00. Completion of work required no longer than 450 days.

Project Description:
This is a Best Value 2 phase procurements Small Business Set-Aside, FAR 19.502 (a) & (b). Rule 2 applies, DFARS 219.1502-2.

This is a BRAC 05 Medical MILCON project consist of design and construction of a new 20,000 + or GSF museum. The primary facility includes a building, special foundations, building information systems, fire protection and alarm systems and connection to Energy Monitoring and Control Systems (EMCS). Comprehensive interior design is required. Anti-terrorist Force Protection (ATFP) measures and intrusion detection system (IDS) are required. ADA compliance and LEED silver rating is to be provided. Heating, air conditioning and moisture control will be self contained system. Commissioning is required.

Supporting facilities to include utilities, external lighting, signage, ATFP features, paving, curbs, walks, storm water management and site improvement features.

EVALUATION CRITERIA WILL BE PART OF THE SOLICITATION.

Submission Requirements:
After issuance of solicitation:
Submit responses in person to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, City Crescent Building, ATTN: Mary Tully, Room 7000, 10 South Howard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201; or by mail to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: Mary Tully CENAB-CT, P.O. Box 1715, Baltimore, MD 21203-1715. Facsimile transmissions will not be accepted. All deliveries, packages, etc. of more than one box or container must be bound together by tape or other means.

All responsible sources may submit a proposal which shall be considered by the agency. You must be registered in the (CCR) Central Contractor Registration to be considered for award of a Federal contract. Registration can be found at Website: http:/ccr.gov. Or call CCR at 1-888-227-2423. A paper form for registration may be obtained from the DOD Electronic Commerce Information Center at 1-800-334-3414.

The solicitation will be provided in an electronic format, free of charge, to all registered plan holders. The media through which the Government chooses to issue this solicitation will be the Internet only, or CD to pre-qualified offerors. This solicitation will not be issued in paper. No phone or fax request for copy of Request For Proposal will be accepted. Contractors requests for this solicitation will be performed through Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) System.

Project Manager: Alexandra Crawford (410) 962-2830
DTL: Joan Pamperien (410) 962-2616
Contracting P.O.C.: Mary Tully (410) 779-7542

Contracting Office Address:

US Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore, 10 South Howard Street, Baltimore, MD 21203

Place of Performance:

US Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore 10 South Howard Street, Baltimore MD
21203
US

Point of Contact(s):

Mary Tully, 410-779-7542

US Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore

Influenza photo used by New York Times

Our most published photograph, influenza cases at Camp Funston during WW1 (NCP 1603) was published again yesterday in the New York Times. You can see the story at

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/09/health/09docs.html

The Doctor's World

Is This a Pandemic? Define 'Pandemic'

By LAWRENCE K. ALTMAN, M.D.

Published: June 9, 2009

After decades of warnings about another influenza pandemic, health officials have failed to make clear to the public what they mean by that word.