Manhar Dhanak, Ph.D., stands with a device that helps test the effectiveness of types of personal protection measures against airborne viral transmission. Photo provided
By Christine Davis
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science received a two-year $698,801 grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to test the effectiveness of types of personal protection measures against airborne viral transmission.
Building on their prior research, the project will result in strategies for mitigating airborne transmission of aerosolized droplets for a safe workplace environment.
“Employers are considering various protective measures in the workplace such as face masks, placing safety barriers in offices and at workstations, reviewing ventilation/air conditioning systems in buildings, redesigning interior spaces as well as arranging safe queuing procedures at checkouts and other high-density environments,” said Manhar Dhanak, Ph.D., the principal investigator. He is chair of FAU’s Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering, and professor and director of SeaTech.
“With this CDC grant, we will conduct experimental simulation studies that will result in observations and analyses in support of social distancing and other preventative measures for mitigating airborne transmission of viral infections, which will be of particular interest to businesses, schools and the general public.”
The Palm Beach County Medical Society Services honored recipients of its 18th annual Heroes in Medicine awards at a virtual event in May.
Ankush Bansal, MD, Cleveland Clinic Martin Health, received the Physician Hero award. Alicia Rootes, interim director for diversity and inclusion, FAU Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, received the Bruce Rendina Professional Hero award. Rootes manages the university’s health care careers outreach program, which provides middle and high school students from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to enter health care fields.
During National Hospital and Health Care Week, May 9-15, Tenet Palm Beach Health Network hospitals showed appreciation to people who work in hospitals.
This year’s theme, “Inspiring Hope through Healing,” recognized the hope that health care workers provide despite the pandemic and acknowledged their efforts.
For National Nurses Week, May 6-12, Tenet recognized the critical role nurses perform in its hospitals. Tenet also celebrated National Emergency Medical Services Week, May 16-22. This year’s theme was “This is EMS Caring for our Communities.”
Delray Medical Center is one of Tenet’s hospitals.
In honor of National Nurses Week, Palm Health Foundation and the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties launched a “Thank Our Healers” program, offering complimentary admission to Palm Beach County nurses and their guests at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, and the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens.
In April, Marcus Neuroscience Institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital earned the Gold Seal of Approval for Spinal Surgery Certification from the Joint Commission, a national independent accreditation organization.
Physicians at the institute’s Phillip & Peggy DeZwirek Center for Spinal Disorders & Back Pain perform more than 1,500 procedures annually. The center’s approach includes pain management, neuro and ortho-spine surgery, and physical therapy.
In May, Delray Medical Center achieved a Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award for the fourth year in a row. This distinction places Delray Medical Center among the top 5% of short-term acute care hospitals reporting patient safety data as evaluated by Healthgrades.
Send health news to Christine Davis at cdavis9797@gmail.com.
Comments