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News Capsules 09/24/08
September 24, 2008
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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By the end of today, we will have celebrated the addition of four more top faculty to our Academy of Excellence in Health Research. I urge you to take the time for a leisurely stroll along the second floor corridor connecting Moos Tower with the Phillips Wangensteen Building. There you’ll see the newly refurbished wall plaques honoring both of our Academies of Excellence – and you can read the brief bios of those who make this Academic Health Center what it is – an innovative place to work filled with smart and dedicated colleagues.
There will be another excellent opportunity to engage with faculty colleagues at the AHC Fall Forum on Thursday, October 16th. It will be a myth-busting session designed to foster interprofessional scholarship – and will be followed by this year’s first Third Thursday in the Campus Club. To register, go to: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/faculty/scholarship/
What makes us unique is deeply connected to the people who are here – so I urge you to take this annual opportunity to engage with your colleagues.
– Frank B. Cerra, M.D.
Sr. Vice President for Health Sciences
Researchers identify gene linked to common ailment in Labrador retrievers
College of Veterinary Medicine researchers have identified a gene in Labrador retriever dogs highly associated with the syndrome of exercise-induced collapse (EIC). After intense hunting or retrieving exercise, activities these dogs are trained to perform, affected Labradors start to lose control of their hind limbs. In most cases, their legs get wobbly and the limbs give out, and in rare cases the dogs may die.
Parental support in lives of Indian youth greatly reduces risk of suicide
School of Nursing researchers found that the presence of one or more protective factors in the lives of American Indian/Alaskan Native youth greatly reduced their risk of attempting suicide. Suicide rates for American Indian/Alaskan Native youth between the ages of 10 – 15 are four times higher than those for all other races combined in this age group. To read more about the research visit: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/suicide092208/home.html
Homosexuals' negative feelings about sexuality predict poor health
School of Public Health researchers have published a study showing that the degree of internalized homonegativity (negative attitude towards homosexuality) among homosexual men is what predicts poor mental and sexual health – not the act of being homosexual. To read more about the study visit: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/
homosexuality091708/home.html
Sarah Youngerman, M.B.A., is the new vice president of marketing and communications for the Minnesota Medical Foundation. Youngerman has eight years of experience in the Academic Health Center Communications Office, most recently as director of community and public affairs. Youngerman’s role at the AHC has included leading public relations efforts concerning the University’s biomedical research program, the University and Mayo Clinic Partnership, and a variety of policy issues at the state and federal level.
The 2008 inductees in Academy for Excellence in Health Research have been announced by the Academic Health Center. The recipients will be inducted today:
- Henry Balfour Jr., M.D. – Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical School
- Matthew Mescher, Ph.D. – Center for Immunology, Medical School
- Michael Osterholm, Ph.D., M.P.H. – Division of Environmental Health, School of Public Health
- Jean Wyman, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N., F.G.S.A. – Chair of Nursing Research, School of Nursing
Joanne Disch, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N., (School of Nursing) has been added to the Aurora Health Care board of directors. Disch is a national leader in health care with extensive experience as an educator, chief nurse executive, researcher and policy maker. She is recognized for her expertise in the field of nursing and for leadership on issues related to aging.
Deborah Powell, M.D., (Medical School) has been nominated to serve as a member of the Scientific Management Review Board for the National Institutes of Health. The board will examine the NIH’s organizational structure and balance and will provide recommendations for enhancing the agency’s mission through greater agency flexibility and responsiveness. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit: www.nih.gov.
Phillips Neighborhood Clinic honored with national award for students’ effort
The Phillips Neighborhood Clinic was chosen to receive one of four national awards from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy for student-led community engagement projects. It includes a total cash award of $17,500. The award will be presented at the AACP Interim meeting in Washington on Feb. 23. College of Pharmacy students staff the pharmacy at the clinic every Monday night and are responsible for counseling patients, maintaining inventory, and assisting student clinicians with medications. The students also hold fundraisers to benefit the clinic.
Medical Reserve Corps to staff mass influenza clinic
The University of Minnesota Medical Reserve Corps will staff a mass influenza immunization clinic in conjunction with Boynton Health Service from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday Oct. 28. The clinic will take place on the Northrup Mall. Many MRC members will be needed for various shifts throughout the day. All participating MRC members will be required to attend a 1-2 hour training session. Numerous training sessions will be offered to accommodate MRC member schedules. Anticipated member roles include injectors, supply staff, ushers, and post-injection area staff. To participate and for more information, contact Kathy Berlin at medicalreserve@umn.edu.
Memorial service scheduled to honor Carole Bland
A memorial service for Carole Bland, a faculty member of the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health and an expert on mentoring who recently passed away, is slated for Monday, Oct. 6, at the McNamara Alumni Center. There will be a light lunch at 12:30 p.m. with time to view pictures and a video. The service will commence at 1:30 p.m. For those who are unable to attend, but would like to contribute to the Carole J. Bland Fund for Faculty Development, contact the Minnesota Medical Foundation at P.O. Box 64001, Saint Paul, MN 55164-0001, or (612) 625-1440.
St. Baldrick’s Foundation Announces Pediatric Oncology Fellowship
St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising money for childhood cancer research, awarded a $47,089 Pediatric Oncology Fellowship to Troy Lund, M.D., Medical School. Lund is one of eighteen doctors currently receiving funding as a St. Baldrick’s Fellow. Overseeing his fellowship will be his mentor, Bruce R. Blazar, M.D.
MyU portal Web site updated
The MyU portal entrance Web site used to gather information about courses, collaboration sites, AHC news, and AHC quick links was recently updated. Visit MyU to view the updates (http://www.myu.umn.edu) and for a chance to win passes and a gift certificate to the Arboretum.
SON receives HRSA grant to promote evidence-based practice among nurses
The School of Nursing was awarded the “Culture of Excellence: Evidence-Based Public Health Nursing Practice” grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration. The grant awards $950,000 over three years to promote evidence-based practice among public health nurses throughout Minnesota.
“Hot Topics in Health” – Mini Medical School Fall 2008
Topics for this five-week series will include: pandemic flu; food and water safety; battlefield medicine; the science of stem cells; forensic pathology; ethical situations in natural disasters; and, clinical trials. The program runs Mondays, 6-8:30 p.m., Oct. 13-Nov. 10 in the Coffman Union Theatre. For more information, visit: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/outreach/minimed.
SOD offering high quality cosmetic dentistry for reduced fees
The School of Dentistry is offering high quality cosmetic dentistry during upcoming weekends for a greatly reduced price. The service is open to any interested patient. Weekends for this program will be:
- November 14-16, 2008
- January 9-11, 2009
- February 13-15, 2009
- April 3-5, 2009
For more information, e-mail Kris Frischmon at frisc052@umn.edu. Be sure to include a name and daytime phone number in the e-mail.
Women’s cancer – understanding U of M research and its benefits
This event will be hosted from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28, at the McNamara Alumni Center. All females are welcome to attend and learn from University physicians and researchers about women's cancer studies currently underway; as well as cancer risk, prevention, and survivorship. Speakers will include Women’s Cancer Research Program co-leaders Douglas Yee, M.D., Levi Downs, M.D., Amy Skubitz, Ph.D., Carolyn Torkelson, M.D., and Beth Virnig, Ph.D. Follow this link for: more information and registration.
Walter Mondale to lecture on politics and health care
As part of the first annual David A. Rothenberger lecture series, former vice president Walter Mondale will speak about the, “Complexity and Meaning in Politics and Health Care.” The event is at 4 p.m., Oct. 2 at the Mayo Memorial Auditorium, with refreshments to follow. The event is hosted by the Medical School and Department of Surgery.
Health care experts to discuss reform at Humphrey Institute
Health care industry and policy leaders are coming together to discuss health care reform. The forum, “Health Care Reform – Building Momentum for Change,” will be 12:30-2 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 15, in the Cowles Auditorium at the Humphrey Institute on the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis. The public is invited to attend this free forum. Panelists will include David Durenberger, chair of the National Institute of Health Policy; Tim Penny, former congressman and member of the Mayo Clinic Health Care Symposium Advisory Panel; Dave Olson, president of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce; and Nancy Feldman, president and chief executive officer of UCare.
Legislative network seeking members
University allies sent more than 2,800 letters to their elected officials last year, with the help of online tools provided by the U’s Legislative Network (www.supporttheu.umn.edu). The efforts may have contributed to the passage of the $292 million Minnesota Biomedical Research Program and $105.2 million in U of M infrastructure support. Those interested in demonstrating the value and relevance of the U to state legislators are encouraged to join. Visit www.supporttheu.umn.edu for details.
Women to be honored at Mother Earth banquet
A benefit for the Women’s Environmental Institute is scheduled from 5:30-9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 1 at the Park House, 2120 Park Ave, in Minneapolis. The event will celebrate the achievements of 2008 honorees — Devra Lee Davis, Winona LaDuke and Annie Young — and empower the work of the Women’s Environmental Institute. Call (651) 583-0705 for additional questions and to register for the dinner and event.
Sept. 26
4 p.m.
Special Friday lecture in Department of Surgery
“The Sea Surgeon: Surgeons and Surgery in the British Royal
Navy and Merchant Marine, 1545-1850.”
Alan Chapman, Ph.D., faculty of history, University of Oxford
Location: 11-157 PWB
Sept. 26
7:30 – 9 a.m.
Public Health Matters policy forum series
The Connection between Food and Health
Commissioner Sanne Magnan, MN Department of Health, and Commissioner Gene Hugoson, MN Department of Agriculture
Location: Off Campus - Neighborhood House, St. Paul (www.neighb.org)
Oct. 08
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Lecture Series on Law, Health & the Life Sciences
Synthetic Genomics: Risks and Benefits for Science and Society
Robert Friedman, Ph.D., J. Craig Venter Institute
Location: Coffman Memorial Union - Theater
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.
Stadium update
The second year of stadium construction is underway. Most of the steel stadium structure is now in place and the seating bowl and exterior masonry work are well underway. The TCF Bank Stadium is slated for substantial completion in July 2009 and will open for the first Gopher football game of the season on September 12, 2009. Read more on the stadium Web site at http://www1.umn.edu/stadium/index.php
Follow construction of Children’s Hospital via live video
Below is a link to a new construction site with details, maps, photos, and a live Web camera showing progress as the new facility for University of Minnesota Children's Hospital, Fairview is erected. During the course of construction the site will be updated with new information: http://www.uofmchildrenshospital.org/construction/index.asp
Rules and Regulations
Want to learn about the rules and regulations for staff physicians at the University Hospitals in 1961? Rule number one? Keep Friday lunch open for staff meetings. See all the rules at: http://blog.lib.umn.edu/moore144/ahcarchives
/2008/09/rules_and_regulations.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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