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TMC Library McGovern Center Radiation Effects & Events Collections

  • radiationeffectsan
  • Mar 19, 2024
  • 3 min read

Updated: Apr 29, 2024

The Radiation Effects & Events Collections, housed at the TMC Library, comprise a variety of materials relating to radiation effects and events in various countries. Collections often have digital components available for viewing online, though others are only available for in person viewing. Several collections have been donated by individuals personally involved in work related to radiation effects and events. A brief overview of said collections can be found here.


A few collections within the Radiation Effects and Events Collections that are highlighted within this website include the Teresa Hayes MD PhD papers, the Randall Wright papers on Kazakhstan health care, the Texas Hadassah Medical Research Foundation records, and the Armin Weinberg PhD papers.


The Texas Hadassah Medical Research Foundation records document the work of Houston-based physicians and scientists to provide medical treatment and other forms of care to individuals in countries such as Russia, Kazakhstan, Israel, and Palestine, among other places. The Foundation was active during the 1990s and early 2000s as a part of Baylor College of Medicine. Many records also describe the efforts of said scientists to study the impact of fallout from Chernobyl on impacted children, particularly children in Israel that were impacted.





Texas Hadassah Medical Research Foundation records; IC 105; John P. McGovern Historical Collections and Research Center, Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Library.


Newspaper articles included in the collection, pictured above, provide unique insight into the Foundation's work as it related to radiation effects and events. The articles above focus on the Foundation's work as it relates to Chernobyl, both in terms of medical aid for victims and in terms of scientific studies on the victims themselves. The collection includes clippings from a variety of media sources, including the famed Houston Chronicle, which is still in operation today.


Other articles not pictured elaborate on other work of the Foundation and further actions/collaborations between Houston and nations impacted by radiation. The articles also describe the Foundation's work to compile a registry of survivors of radiation events.



Armin Weinberg, PhD papers; MS 211; John P. McGovern Historical Collections and Research Center, Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Library.


The photographs above show Dr. Armin Weinberg, who donated photos and records from his personal collections to contribute to the Radiation Effects and Events Collections. As of 2024, Dr. Weinberg remains active in his contributions to the project. Many of the materials that Dr. Weinberg contributed are available online, linked here. In the past, Dr. Weinberg led partnerships with physicians and scientists in Russia, Israel, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan to address the impact of radiation-related events. Dr. Weinberg's work spans decades, and a non-comprehensive overview of his life and work can be found in his collections on the TMC website at the previous in-text link.


Most recently, Dr. Weinberg contributed an article to the TMC library website titled "25 years later: we still care about innocent Palestinians." Throughout this article, Dr. Weinberg reflects upon the medical aid provided to Palestinians by Israelis and Americans after Palestinians were cut off from medical resources available in Hadassah Hospitals. This effort is little-known, but particularly relevant in light of the ongoing 2023 Israel-Hamas war. In Dr. Weinberg's article, he utilizes snippets from an interview of Debbie Zarkowsky Goldberg, former Executive Director of the Texas Hadassah Medical Research Foundation, to support his recollections. In the article, Dr. Weinberg states:

"Fast forward to today as yet again, we worry about innocent Palestinians much like we did 25 years ago. As innocent lives are being lost, hostages remain captive, and demonstrations, violence and rhetoric further the hate, we’re left wondering what anyone can do. What can we do? What can I do? I can share the history that showed we cared, wanted to enhance the opportunity for peace. We need to do so again today. Perhaps remembering and building upon this history will help us find another opportunity to show we care. The archive having this brief interview allows me now to highlight the humanity seen then, and which I believe remains today.

-Dr. Armin Weinberg, "25 years later: we still care about innocent Palestinians," courtesy of the TMC Library


Dr. Weinberg continues to mentor students in their learning about Radiation Effects & Events and was involved in the creation of this website.


Sources:


All photos cited in-text.


 
 
 

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