NEW ORLEANS – A Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant, which is administered by the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP), will allow a local eye clinic to begin permanent repair of hurricane-generated damages.

The campus of the Louisiana State University (LSU) Health Sciences Center received more than two feet of flood waters following Hurricane Katrina. This caused damages to the building envelope, interior finishes, and the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.

This recent obligation will fund repairs to the Isidore Cohn, Jr., MD, Learning Center, which is located at the Lion’s LSU Clinics building. A nationally recognized center for innovative simulation-based medical education, small group teaching, simulation learning, computerized instruction, conferences, and meetings are conducted in this facility. It also houses demonstration laboratories and small group-teaching rooms. In the event of an emergency, the virtual operating room and training technology can be immediately converted to use for patients.

The repairs, which have not yet begun, are expected to last 12 months. Part of the repairs includes relocating critical facilities to higher floors, thereby mitigating any potential future flood damages.

 “This support is a critical milestone in the recovery of the Health Sciences Center and will greatly accelerate our ability to educate and train the next generation of physicians caring for the citizens of our state,” LSU Health Sciences Center School of Medicine Dean Steve Nelson said. “As one of the country’s pioneers in developing the next generation of human patient simulation teaching capability, returning these programs to their permanent home will greatly enhance our advances in this arena.”

FEMA has obligated $9.2 million toward the repair of the Isidore Cohn, Jr. Student Learning Center facility building and contents.

When projects are obligated by FEMA through its supplemental Public Assistance grant, the funds are transferred to a Smartlink account. This allows the applicant, in this case the Office of Facilities and Control, to work with GOHSEP as quickly as possible to access the reimbursement monies. The state may require additional documentation from the applicant before disbursing the funds. Obligated funds may change over time as the project worksheet is a living grant that is often adjusted as bids come in and scope of work is aligned.                   

The Public Assistance program works with state and local officials to fund recovery measures and the rebuilding of government and certain private nonprofit organizations’ buildings, as well as roads, bridges and water and sewer plants. In order for the process to be successful, federal, state and local partners coordinate to draw up project plans, fund these projects and oversee their completion.

FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.