Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Galveston Island. As a medical student and resident in training in general and plastic surgery, I lived there for nine years of my life (see my little niece sitting on the beach along the Seawall about seven years ago!). I have never seen a storm of this size and magnitude of Hurricane Ike hit the island and wish them all the best in their restoration efforts. To give to the UTMB relief fund, please click here. The folks of Galveston are strong and resilient, and the University of Texas Medical Branch will endure. Although Galveston was the hardest hit area, Houstonians and many others along the Gulf Coast have been affected as well. Even nursesarah is stuck in Mexico right now because the Houston airport shut down. We wish for the safety and health of all Texans as the search and rescue efforts continue.