News Capsules 03/18/09
March 18, 2009
NEWS CAPSULES is a biweekly newsletter for faculty, staff, and students of the Academic Health Center. Please send submissions to Nick Hanson at hans2853@umn.edu.
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We are clearly operating in a new and different era of accountability, as is apparent from banking issues in New York and appointment issues in Washington in recent days.
For us, in the Academic Health Center this intense concern for accountability is somewhat familiar – with a new and different lens. We’re accustomed to the NIH environment where research grants have clear expectations for performance. And, as a public institution, we regularly report to the Minnesota legislature about our activities and outcomes. And it appears that the federal stimulus funding coming to Minnesota will add another layer of reporting, or accountability to ensure the University spends those dollars wisely.
In the midst of this heightened scrutiny, the media continues to focus on issues of conflict of interest as we publicly wrestle with developing new policies or procedures to manage the industry relationships necessary to bring new discoveries to the public and the marketplace
I’d like to make a couple of points loud and clear, as I have publicly on several occasions. Yes, the faculty within the Academic Health Center – and indeed in other parts of the University – have relationships with industry. Our new ideas, our discoveries would never go anywhere if there weren’t a company willing to develop or manufacture the results of our work. And then those discoveries would never make it into the marketplace to both improve and enhance care and health. Yes, pharmaceutical and device manufacturers pay for clinical trial work taking place at the University. There is no other source of funds. And, yes, our faculty – physicians, pharmacists, dentists and others – are compensated for their time and work.
Our job, as University administrators, is to ensure that those relationships are appropriately disclosed and appropriately managed, so that the public retains its confidence in our institution and its work. That’s accountability that’s critical for today and tomorrow.
– Frank B. Cerra, M.D.
Sr. Vice President for Health Sciences
The AHC is working on or monitoring more than a dozen bills at the legislature this week related to the health sciences:
- A bill creating a new dental therapist practitioner continues to move through the House and Senate commission.
- Four bills have been introduced concerning pharmaceutical company gift bans, academic detailing program for prescription drugs, prescription drug data mining, pricing, and pharmacy benefits management.
- Legislation has been introduced prohibiting those who are undergoing a mental illness commitment process from participating in clinical drug trials.
- Medical School faculty are working with legislators, the Minnesota Department of Health, March of Dimes and other groups to change legislation that limits the retention of newborn screening data within the Minnesota Department of Health.
Cancer researchers discover 32 new genes linked to cancers
Scientists at the Masonic Cancer Center and Medical School have reported remarkable laboratory findings – 17 new genes that could cause colorectal cancer and 15 new genes linked to liver cancer. The findings help pave the way for development of individualized genetically based treatments for patients with these cancers. Read more.
Hockey study: Player contact leading cause of injury among NCAA goaltenders
In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers discovered that despite rules against goaltender checking and contact, nearly half of all injuries suffered by NCAA ice hockey goaltenders are caused by on-ice contact with another player.
Study suggests new approach needed to govern nanotechnology risks
In order for the potential health risks associated with nanotechnology to be properly assessed, the current regulatory system in the U.S. must be changed. That’s the conclusion of a new paper, published in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Science and Technology, by researchers from the University of Minnesota and the University of British Columbia. Read more.
Minnesota Partnership awards more than $5 million in research grants
The Minnesota Partnership for Biotechnology and Medical Genomics is awarding nearly $5.4 million in state-funded research support to six research teams. This new round of scientific exploration will provide initial support for research on cancer, neurological diseases, heart disease, gastrointestinal conditions, and nanotechnology that could impact a range of diseases. Read more.
Stem Cell Executive Order
Stem Cell Institute Director Jonathan Slack, researchers, and bioethics faculty were featured in media interviews following last Monday’s action by President Obama to overturn an executive order from the Bush administration regarding federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research. A lift on the funding restrictions is great for science, Slack said, and the University, home to the nation’s first established stem cell institute, is exploring all pathways to scientific discovery. The easing of restrictions on embryonic stem cell research will help that endeavor.
Connie Delaney, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N., F.A.C.M.I. (School of Nursing), and dean of the SON, was recently elected to the board of directors at the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
Pat McGovern, Ph.D., M.P.H. (School of Public Health), gave the Ethel Austin Martin Distinguished Lecture at South Dakota State University March 4. She spoke on “Maternal Employment and Breastfeeding: Findings from the Minnesota Postpartum Health Study.”
Dan Weisdorf, M.D. (Masonic Cancer Center and Medical School), was elected as vice president of the American Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, the premier international society focused on human cell and immune based therapies.
Survey: Physicians report need for improved care for children with autism
In a national survey conducted by the University of Minnesota, primary care physicians across the nation report a need for improvement in primary care for children with autism and a desire for more autism education. Read more.
Researchers examine value of health information technology
Researchers found that the use of health information technology (IT), a popular health policy initiative, has had little or no effect on patient safety. Despite this, the researchers say it’s still too early to judge the effectiveness of health IT. Read more.
Match Day for medical students: March 19
Fourth-year Medical School students will gather in McNamara Alumni Center on Thursday, March 19 to learn which residency programs they will enter. The program begins at 10:30 a.m., and envelopes will be distributed at 11 a.m.
School of Public Health to host research day
On April 6, Academic Health Center students, faculty, and staff are invited to check out SPH student research posters in Coffman Memorial Union’s Mississippi Room from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Lunch will be provided from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Free 5K run/walk added to Design of Medical Devices Conference schedule
In support of health and wellness, the Design of Medical Devices Conference and the Medical Device Center Fellows Program are holding a free 5K fun run/walk at 6:30 p.m., April 13, on the mall of the University of Minnesota campus. Register for the walk/run. For more details or to register for the conference, held from April 14–16 at the Radisson University Hotel, visit the Web site.
School of Nursing to host research day
The event “Creating Synergy: Linking Nursing Research and Practice” will be from 12-4:30 p.m., on April 24 in the Mayo Memorial Auditorium. Nursing faculty and students, with engaged community partners, will showcase research studies and evidence-based clinical innovations, discussing implications for practice, policy, and enduring research. Go to www.nursing.umn.edu/ResearchDay for more information or to register.
Tailgating policy updated for new stadium
With the completion of the new stadium, the University will allow tailgating in surface lots on football game days. The policy and tailgating rules will are designed to frame the on-campus football experience, as well as promote a safe campus environment. Comments on the policy are welcomed. For more information, see tailgating.
News updates available from Program in Health Disparities Research
Subscribe to the Medical School’s Program in Health Disparities Research newsletter and ListServe by emailing, phdr@umn.edu. More information on the program is available at: http://www.healthdisparities.umn.edu/ccr/hdresearch/home.html.
“Leveraging the Power of You”
The Carlson School of Management will host a women’s leadership conference from 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m., April 10, in Coffman Union. Keynote speakers include Gail Evans, author of Play Like a Man, Win Like a Woman, and Verna Cornelia Price, president and principal consultant, J. Cameron & Associates and JCAMA Publishers. General admission is $150 with a U student rate of $50. To register, visit Carlson or call Emily Nelson at 612-626-9334.
“Abortion: 2 Perspectives”
The event will feature one pro-choice and pro-life speaker. Both address the question: “Is abortion a human right, or a human rights violation?” The free debate is scheduled for 7 p.m., on Wednesday, April 15, in the Coffman Memorial Union Theater.
“I Want to do Clinical Research, but the FDA Wants Me to do What?!?”
This event will focus on why it’s important for clinical researchers to understand their obligations under FDA regulations, their roles and responsibilities in conducting clinical research and what can happen when things go wrong. It’s scheduled from 4-5 p.m., Monday, March 30, in the President’s Room in Coffman Union. It’s free and open to the public. For more information and to register, go to: http://www.research.umn.edu/events/research_ethics.html
SPH film festival scheduled for April 6-11
This year’s selection of films are aimed to be educational, intriguing, and thought-provoking. A new addition to the festival is a Family Fun Film Day on Saturday, which includes short films for kids, crafts, and pictures with Goldy Gopher. Winners of the “It’s Global” Public Service Announcement contest will be screened Monday evening and Saturday beginning at 1:30 p.m. The evenings begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Mayo Memorial Auditorium. The film festival is free and open to the public.
SPH sponsoring children’s coloring contest
Children who are 12 and under and related to SPH faculty and staff are eligible to enter. The coloring sheet must be postmarked by Friday, March 27 or dropped off at the SPH main office by Monday, March 30. Coloring sheets will be displayed during the Film Festival (April 6-11) at the Mayo Memorial Auditorium. For questions, call the SPH main office at 612-624-6669.
Session to explore natural and organic medicines
“The Healing Forest: The Origin and Discovery of Natural Organic Medicines from the Forbidden Forests of Africa and the Amazon in Peru,” will be presented by Professor Eloy Rodriguez, of Cornell University at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, in the University of Minnesota campus Bell Museum of Natural History. The event is free and open to the public. The lecture also is available via Webinar. Contact Crystal Schwietz at schwi098@umn.edu to make arrangements. 
Hartford Center hosts talk on pain management in older adults
Visiting scholar Kella Herr, professor and chair of adult and gerontology at the University of Iowa College of Nursing, will give three public lectures on evidence-based guidelines in pain management in older adults and in end-of-life curriculum. Three public lectures, including an evening community presentation co-hosted with the U’s Center on Aging, will take place April 14 and 15, noon–1 p.m., Mayo Memorial Auditorium; and April 15, 5–6 p.m., 2-201 Hasselmo Hall. For more information, visit the Hartford Center’s Web site.
2009 planning grants in health disparities announced
The Medical School’s Program in Health Disparities Research is accepting proposals for projects focusing on eliminating health disparities that also encourage community-initiated research and foster sustainable long-term collaborative research between community-based organizations and academic researchers. Letters of intent are due March 31. For more information, visit the program’s Web site.
March 24
6-9 p.m.
Healthy Eating/Healthy Living
Brenda Langton
Location: Off Campus - Roth Distributing, 1347 W. 47th Street, Minnetonka
March 25
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Points of Pride Research Day
Location: Animal Science Veterinary Medicine - Lobby of Animal Science/Veterinary Medicine and Pomeroy Student-Alumni Learning Center
March 31
6 – 7 p.m. Islam Awareness Week 2009
What Works in Health Care:
Working with Somali and other Muslim Patients
Abdirahman Mohamed
Location: Moos Tower - 2-650
More events like these can be found on the AHC calendar, http://www.ahc.umn.edu/calendar. You can submit an item to the AHC calendar by going to http://www.ahc.umn.edu/submitevent.
More than 25,000 pages of material
There are more than 25,000 pages of material in the AHC digital archives and counting. Get a behind the scenes look at the analog to digital conversion process at: http://blog.lib.umn.edu/moore144/ahcarchives/
2009/03/turning_over_25000.html
AHC News Capsules is a biweekly newsletter for faculty, staff, and students of the Academic Health Center. Please send submissions to Nick Hanson at hans2853@umn.edu.
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