Altman of New York Times to speak at R&T Building dedication Sept. 23

Dr. Lawrence K. Altman

The Research and Training Building at Harborview Medical Center will be dedicated in a ceremony beginning at 3 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 23, in the building lobby. The new building is at the corner of 9th Avenue and Alder St., across from the Harborview entrance and next to Harborview Hall.

Featured speaker for the event is Dr. Lawrence K. Altman, science and medicine reporter for the New York Times. Altman was a resident in medicine at the UW from 1966 to 1968, and then a senior fellow in medical genetics here. He has been a member of the New York Times science news staff since 1969. In addition to reporting, he writes the “Doctor’s World” column in the Science Times section of the paper.

The 179,000 gross sq.ft. building has 10 levels—seven floors plus a mechanical floor above ground and two floors below ground. A pedestrian tunnel links the building with Harborview Hall, where many School of Medicine faculty based at Harborview have their offices.

The training facility, including a 150-seat auditorium and three large classrooms, occupies the first floor. Five floors house research laboratories, with a typical research floor accomodating six research teams, general lab space, office space and adaptable support space.

The laboratories are designed for state-of-the-art cell and molecular biology research. Investigators will pursue research projects that address questions related to vascular biology, neurosciences, trauma, infectious diseases (including HIV infection), sepsis, orthopaedics and other areas. The research activities will be relevant to the multidisciplinary care provided at Harborview.

The project was funded with state support and funds generated by research activities at the UW Academic Medical Center. The prime land of the site has been provided by King County. Harborview Medical Center also contributed funds for the training facilities on the first floor. The total project cost was just under $79 million.

A reception and tours of the facility will follow the formal dedication program. The UW community is invited to attend. For more information, call Harborview Community Relations, 731-3041. ¶