Friday, March 23, 2007

New Job!

So as many of you know, I had been working as the Coordinator for the City of Fort Worth's Bioterrorism Preparedness Team. I started in that position in 2004 and have enjoyed my time with that program. I really felt like I did some good things there. Before that, I had started working with the City in 2000, and after six years, I felt it was time to move on and try something new.

On February 19, 2007 I accepted the position of Sr. Business Continuity Planner for UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.

So, you might ask, "What is a UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas?"and "What exactly does a Sr. Business Continuity Planner do?"

Well...UT Southwestern Medical Center is comprised of a world reknown medical, allied health and graduate schools, a research center, two hospitals and several clinics all conviently located in the heart of Dallas, TX. (There, I've paid for the image and logo I've placed on this page)

Now what I do is part of the department of Business Continuity. Basically, my job is focused on the emergency management for the center, as well as preparing all 538 departments within the medical center to continue working even after a major disaster occurrs. This include disaster planning and identifying all the various functions that are necessary to continue operations, and helping the staff determine how to prioritize and recover if the facility was destroyed.

I'm finding that its ALOT of work. This is because I've responded to more emergencies in 3 weeks then I have in 6 years working for Fort Worth. But I actually have enjoyed this, and additionally enjoy the exposure to the hospital setting, which I got my formal education in.

Needless to say, I feel like a freshman in high school again. There is 7.3 million square feet of University owned space here, and 4 campuses. I don't know very many people and I used to be a medium-sized fish in a small pond. Now I feel like plankton. But, I will get accustomed to it, and will definately keep you all posted on things that happen around here.

Welcome Back Shaner!

Ok, so i told you- I WILL WRITE LOTS OF POSTS and then TAKE LOTS OF BREAKS from this blog. Not because I don't love each and everyone of you and want to keep you updated, but because things tend to distract me.


So I am returning from the first of many hiatus-i (sp? word?). There is a reason for this one though-

Alot has happened.

So over the next few posts, I will fill you in on the updates! Pay attention though, I am only going to write this once.