University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine Experts
Available to Discuss Aspects of NASA Shuttle Tragedy
(Philadelphia,
PA) - The following experts in post traumatic stress
at the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety,
in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of
Pennsylvania School of Medicine, are available to be
interviewed regarding the psychological and emotional
issues related to the NASA space shuttle Columbia crash,
as well as how those problems should be treated:
Sheila Rauch, PhD
Sean Cahill, PhD
David Riggs, PhD
Elizabeth Hembree, PhD
Also available for comment is David Dinges, PhD,
Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry; Chief of the
Division of Sleep and Chronobiology, and Director of
the Unit for Experimental Psychiatry. Dr. Dinges works
in research for human psychology and sleep during space
flight for the National Space Biomedical Research Institute,
which was founded by NASA to reduce the health risks
associated with space travel.
These experts may be reached by calling Press Officer
Ellen O'Brien in the Department of Public Affairs at
215.349.5659.
PENN Bioethicist Paul Root Wolpe, PhD, who is
also the Chief of Bioethics (Care & Protection of Research
Subjects and Patients) for NASA.
Senior Vice President and Corporate Chief Medical Officer
for the University of Pennsylvania Health System David
Longnecker, MD, who also chairs the Institute of
Medicine 's 'Committee on Aerospace Medicine and Medicine
for Extreme Environments' -- which advises NASA on the
health care of astronauts, both long-term and in space
flight -- is available for comment. Dr. Longnecker was
a guest of NASA for the STS-107 launch, and was briefed
by the flight surgeons and NASA regarding the scientific
mission.
To interview these two experts, please call Rosann Thompson,
Director of Media Relations, at 215.662.2560.
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