February 11, 2010
UW Medicine tapped for 2010 Olympics role
UW physician Brian Krabak was selected to work at the 2010 Olympic Games, which open Friday, Feb. 12, in British Columbia. He’s not alone. UW Medicine’s health system was also designated to work with International SOS for the upcoming games.
International SOS works in partnership with businesses, governments and non-profit organizations to provide medical assistance, health care and security services for Olympic-sized events as well as disasters.
UW Medicine’s health care system—specifically Airlift Northwest, Harborview Medical Center and UW Medical Center—will be on call, as needed, for the evacuation of critical patients at the 2010 Olympic games in Vancouver, B.C.
“We are pleased to have entered into this arrangement and will provide access to the world class medical care provided by our UW physicians and staff who work at Harborview Medical Center and UW Medical Center,” said Johnese Spisso, vice president for medical affairs at the UW and clinical operations officer at UW Medicine.
Spisso said the designation is a first for UW Medicine, which was selected over similar health systems in Washington state and California. “We are well prepared and ready to serve in the event it’s needed.”
