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.
There was a time when things slowed down in the summer at the University. This is not one of those times.
We’re finalizing budget plans throughout the health science schools and colleges, and all deans, directors, department and division chairs are faced with very tough decisions related to the reduction in state revenue for the next fiscal year. This year I’ve seen actions taking place that fully recognize that we are working in a different economic environment that requires change. I’d like to extend a profound thanks to all for the hard work this budget presents for us.
In addition, I’m now putting the finishing touches on materials for a work session with the Board of Regents tomorrow concerning our relationship with Fairview. After the session is complete, I’ll be posting that presentation to the AHC’s Web site so that you, too, can see the conceptual framework that is guiding the next phase of our pioneering partnership.
– Frank B. Cerra, M.D. Sr. Vice President for Health Sciences
Minimally invasive stroke treatment produces better outcomes than surgery While minimally invasive coil treatments for those with a ruptured brain aneurysm have proved to be a more effective technique than traditional surgical operation in selected patients, the superior procedure is drastically more expensive, according to new research from the ZeenatQureshiStrokeResearchCenter at the MedicalSchool.
Cat ownership may be beneficial to heart health In 2008, the MedicalSchool’s Adnan Qureshi, M.D., made big waves in the research community, media, and among the general public when he presented research at a conference correlating strong cardiovascular health and cat ownership. Now the research has been officially published in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Neurology.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar announces new food safety bill at U of M Sen. Amy Klobuchar recently unveiled a new food safety bill regarding the nation’s response to food-born illness outbreaks. The interviewing skills of “Team D,” a Minnesota Health Department and U of M collaboration to investigate food-born illness, were praised as being a possible solution to combating nationwide outbreaks.
Ted Thompson, M.D. (MedicalSchool), is receiving the 2009 Distinguished Service award from the Minnesota Chapter of the AmericanAcademy of Pediatrics. Thompson was nominated by his peers for this statewide recognition which honors a chapter member for exemplary service to the community, and the profession of pediatrics. Visit www.mnaap.org for more.
Alicia M. Johnson has joined the College of Veterinary Medicine as director of continuing education. Johnson most recently served as associate to the dean of the University of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts.
Elizabeth Seaquist, M.D. (MedicalSchool), was presented the first Carole Bland Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award. The late Carole Bland, Ph.D., devoted her career to faculty development. Click here for details about the award and the assembly.
Dennis Niewoehner, M.D. (MedicalSchool), was awarded the American Thoracic Society Annual Recognition Award for Scientific Accomplishment at the ATS international conference. Niewoehner received this prestigious award for his notable contributions to the understanding, prevention and treatment of lung disease, especially in regard to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Brent Larson, D.D.S., M.S. (School of Dentistry), was elected to the Board of Trustees of the American Association of Orthodontists. Larson is the orthodontic division director and associate professor of orthodontics at the School of Dentistry and has an orthodontic practice in Rochester.
Jasjit Ahluwalia, M.D., M.P.H. (MedicalSchool), was honored with the Society of General Internal Medicine’s 2009 Herbert W. Nickens Award. The Nickens Award honors an individual who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to cultural diversity in medicine or to improving minority health.
Paller will serve as executive vice dean of MedicalSchool Mark Paller, M.D., M.S., physician and leader in the University of Minnesota’s research efforts, will serve in the role of executive vice dean for the University of Minnesota Medical School beginning July 1, 2009.
Spring 2009 Medical Bulletin available online The spring 2009 issue of the Medical Bulletin, the MedicalSchool’s award-winning magazine, is now available online. Visit the Medical Bulletin to read about new collaborative research at the U that’s benefiting both dogs and people, good news for kidney donors and recipients, a focus on patient care in the anatomy lab, the Medical Alumni Society Facebook page, and more. To receive e-editions of the Medical Bulletin, e-mail bulletin@mmf.umn.edu.
EpiCH shuttle service to close during summer The last day of service will be Friday, June 12. Service resumes Tuesday, Sept. 8. The mail runs to ECRC, Mayo, and HSRC will continue at their regular times.
“Ask Us” question and answer program to debut Have a question you’d like to ask someone in the AcademicHealthCenter? All students, faculty, and staff of the AHC are encouraged to participate in a new question and answer video segment called “Ask Us.” In an effort to enhance internal communications, questions can and should run the gamut – any topic is on the table including administration, research, education, health topics, health care, and more. Send your questions to Nick Hanson at hans2853@umn.edu. Be sure to include your name and a contact phone number. We’ll begin airing answers to your questions in News Capsules later this summer.
Turtle Derby set to kick-off The University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital is hosting a turtle derby, featuring a parade, BBQ, and turtle race 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m., June 25, at DiehlPlaza (behind the MayoBuilding). Departments and individuals can sponsor a turtle. The event includes an art auction and merchandise. The event raises money for child and family programs at the hospital. Sponsorships ($30 for individuals or families, $50 for departments or units) must be purchased at merchandise locations by June 19. For more information, visit: Turtle Derby.
AHC Perimeter Security Project update Initial construction has started on the AHC Perimeter Security Project. This project is a combination of card access, door monitoring/locking, and video surveillance that will provide controlled access and security to buildings throughout the AcademicHealthCenter. Current building hours will not change. As the project progresses, more information will become available. The project is being managed by University Services in consultation with the AHC, Fairview, and UMP. For more information, contact Dan Anderson, project coordinator, at (612) 626-2903, ander349@umn.edu, or Rich Swedberg, AHC Facilities, at (612) 626-4376, swedb005@umn.edu.
Board of Regents to hold public forum on U’s budget The forum is open to individuals who wish to address the board regarding the U’s fiscal year 2010 budget. The event is at 11:30 a.m., June 17, at the sixth floor boardroom in McNamaraAlumniCenter. Those wishing to speak should call (612) 625-6300 or e-mail the board office by 3 p.m., June 10. For more information, visit: budget forum.
2009 seed grants awarded Fifteen research projects across the AcademicHealthCenter have received funding from seed grants. There were a total of 54 applications. Seed grants are designed to provide support for faculty who want to initiate a substantially new direction in their research or to help develop innovative projects that will allow faculty to expand into new research areas. New faculty are eligible if the subject of the seed grant represents an area of research different from that performed while training.
“Farm to Fairview” to debut in DiehlHallPlaza The University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview employee wellness committee is launching a “Farm to Fairview” weekly farmers’ market in DiehlHallPlaza. The market will run from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. every Friday, June 19-Aug. 21, in DiehlHallPlaza (next to the Mayo building). Faculty, staff, students, and visitors are welcome to come and enjoy fresh, local produce and cut flowers. Contact Shyamala Ganesh with questions at sganesh1@fairview.org or (612) 273-3219.
Dental clinics seeking patients; care provided at reduced price Dental clinics at the School of Dentistry are open to the public and accepting summertime dental appointments for children and adults. You'll receive a diagnosis and professional care from student dentists, dental residents, and dental hygienists., who treat patients under faculty supervision. All general and specialty dental services are provided, including check-ups, fillings, teeth cleaning, braces, root canals, dental implants, dentures, oral surgery, and more. Clinic fees are reduced to reflect the student status of the caregiver -- most dental insurance plans are accepted, including medical assistance and MinnesotaCare. For information and appointments, call (612) 625-2495.
Global Health Course open for registration Refugee and immigrant health is the topic for the first week of the Global Health Course. It begins June 29 and continues through Aug. 21. The course offers both full-course and weekly registration and is open to physicians and other health care providers, residents, medical students, and community members. CME credit is available. Go to www.cmecourses.umn.edu to register.
“Partners in Research: Faculty Training on Community Engaged Research” The Partners in Research project will provide intensive faculty training seminars on community-engaged research. These sessions will focus on preparing faculty members to work on community-based participatory action research projects in a manner that ensures a mutually-beneficial partnership and achievement of research goals. The event will be 1-4 p.m. on both July 6 and 13 in 717 Delaware Building, room 105. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. E-mail Shannon at pirp@umn.edu for more information.
“Microbiology & Infectious Diseases Symposia” Research in microbiology and its impact on infectious diseases, biotechnology, and engineering will be the topic of a coordinated scientific symposia at the McGuire Translational Research Facility on June 24-25 presented jointly by the Minnesota Craniofacial Research Training Program, Biotechnology Institute, Center for Infectious Diseases and MicrobiologyTranslationalResearchCenter, and AHC Infectious Diseases Corridor. The symposia are free and open to the public with registration on-site. “Biofilms: Microbial Sim Cities” will be presented on June 24, and “Innovative Approaches to Prevent and Treat Infections” will be presented on June 25. For more information about the symposia, visit: www.cidmtr.umn.edu or www.mncrest.umn.edu.
Salvaging Powell Hall What would you salvage from a building before being torn down? If fire hoses, light switch cover plates, paper towel dispensers, and an elevator or two are on your short list, then you just might have picked up something from the demolition of Powell Hall. See who got what at: http://blog.lib.umn.edu/moore144/ahcarchives/2009/06/salvage.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.
