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"Everyone who was touched by the World Trade Center attack is affected by it, and every American was touched by it— to some degree," says Dr. Paul Ofman. Ofman (MBA '95), a graduate of the Baruch/Mt. Sinai MBA Program in Health Care Administration, is the voluntary chairman of emergency services for the Red Cross in Greater New York and the developer of its disaster mental health program.
Even though Ofman has extensive disaster experience—Hurricanes Andrew and Luis; TWA, Swissair, and Egyptair crashes; and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing—nothing compares to the Sept. 11 attack. "Disasters have large ripples that radiate from the place of impact. The needs related to a disaster of this magnitude will continue on into the distant future." Ofman points out that recovery from the Oklahoma City bombing continues to this day—over six years later.
In his role as emergency services chairman, Dr. Ofman helps shape the organization's disaster relief strategy and coordinates with other agencies, facilitating collaboration among a variety of organizations. "I do less of the one-on-one counseling, except at senior leadership levels, where preexisting relationships allow me to offer psychological support." Ofman spoke of the agency's models for immediate and long-term assistance and prioritizing needs but stresses that "the needs are not just nearby. The Red Cross will be meeting needs in communities across the area."
Ofman is justifiably proud of the Red Cross's efforts, especially its Respite Center, adjacent to Ground Zero: "We provide emergency service workers with a clean, comfortable, dignified place to eat, to rest, to send and receive e-mails—even to get therapeutic massage from professionals volunteering their time. It might all sound simple, but it's about creating an atmosphere that supports coping with their grim tasks. We help them preserve their health emotionally and physically."
He prescribes talk and sharing as ways to cope. "When people face danger, first they do what they have to do, and that action is very useful. But the tendency to just do and avoid facing one's emotional reactions is a risk factor over the long term. Once life turns more normal, it's no longer good to keep things bottled up. Everyone needs to make the transition." How does Ofman take care of himself during these stressful times? "I may be experienced in disaster relief, but I've been profoundly affected by the WTC attack. I could see the buildings burning from my home. But at the Red Cross, we take our own advice: Be aware of the importance of sharing your thoughts, feelings, and reactions. It won't be a one-time discussion. Healing is a process of self-reflection."
The attack has also affected Ofman professionally. He is a corporate psychologist with RHR International Company, a management consulting firm, where he consults to senior corporate leadership on leadership assessment, selection, development, and effectiveness. "Recovery from disaster is not just about getting new office space or rewiring computers. Businesses also need to address the psychological impact of the disaster on individuals and on the whole organization." Clients are asking a different set of questions: How do we manage an organization following the attack? What are the implications for our workforce? How do we redirect distraction and personal anxiety back to the drive to meet business goals? "It may sound trite at a time like this, but I'm grateful for my Baruch education. It gave me an ability to understand organizations and the business of human service delivery. The jobs I'm doing today have been tremendously enhanced by my Baruch training."
—Diane Harrigan
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