News Capsules 11/5/08
Nov. 5, 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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I always have a strong sense of relief the day after an election, but this year’s “day after” is tied to a remarkable sense of possibility as well. I was struck by Senator McCain’s sincerity and his urging of an “earnest effort to find ways to come together... to bridge our differences.” And, above the mix of individual state and national results, the idea that the White House will welcome its first black Presidential family just 45 years after that dream was stated on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial is a powerful statement of this country’s potential for great change and transformation.
It is that great potential for transformative change that I see for our University’s Academic Health Center as well. I’ve heard from some of you who are concerned that economic issues could jeopardize progress on our new clinical and research space. Let me assure you that the clinic and research facilities remain a priority to the AHC, the University and our clinical partners, and we have the benefit of seasoned leadership who understand wise approaches to capital markets.
The application for the NIH’s Clinical and Translational Science Award represents another transformative change. It is the culmination of months of work by faculty and staff across all six schools of the Academic Health Center, as well as leaders in Minnesota’s health care community. I believe our Clinical and Translational Science Institute will inspire a culture of collaboration between University and community partners, provide an important platform of accessible resources and training to promote strong clinical and translational research, and provide a central clearinghouse for strategic investments that will improve the health of Minnesotans. I encourage you to read the executive summary, which is found on the CTSA Web site.
Making these types of strategic investments is crucial in today’s economy. And now, to echo the sentiment our president-elect shared with the nation yesterday evening, it is time for us to come together to meet the challenges the University and AHC will face in the coming years. I am confident we have the creativity, the strength, and the drive to weather these uncertain economic times and to make the necessary changes that will allow us to emerge a stronger institution.
– Frank B. Cerra, M.D.
Sr. Vice President for Health Sciences
Program of Mortuary Science celebrates 100 years
What started in 1908 as a six-week, $45 program with 16 graduates has now evolved into a four-year bachelor's of science program that graduates more than 30 students each year and educates nearly 90 percent of Minnesota’s funeral directors. The program celebrated the landmark last weekend with a variety of events. To learn more about the program visit: http://minnesota.publicradioorg/display/
web/2008/10/29/100_years_mortuary_science/
U studies how vitamin D may reduce complications in bone marrow transplants
Kim Robien, Ph.D., assistant professor and cancer epidemiologist at the Masonic Cancer Center and School of Public Health, has been awarded a $339,750 grant from the National Cancer Institute. She will use the grant to conduct the first comprehensive investigation of how the genetic makeup of some patients affects the way they metabolize vitamin D and consequently, respond to bone marrow transplantation. To read more about the research visit: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/
vitamind102908/home.html
MCC study shows link between gene variations and cancer survival
Scientific research shows that certain genes can influence a person’s likelihood to contract particular diseases, cancer for example. And new research at the Masonic Cancer Center demonstrates that genetic markers may also show a person’s likelihood to survive the disease. To read more about the research visit: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/
cancergene102208/home.html
U shatters single day Guinness World Record for number of flu shots
The University beat the Guinness World Record for the most flu shots given in a single day on Tuesday Oct. 28 by dispensing more than 11,000 flu vaccines – easily eclipsing the previous record of 3,271. That record was set in November 2006 in Sanford, Florida. To read more about the record-setting effort visit: http://www1.umn.edu/urelate/newsservice/
NS_details.php?release=081028_3789&page=NS
Lynn Blewett M.A., Ph.D. (School of Public Health), director of the State Health Access Data Assistance Center, was elected to the Academy Health Board of Directors. Her term begins in Dec. and runs through Dec. 2012.
Arthur Aufderheide, M.D. (Medical School, Duluth Campus), is retiring and will be honored for his career on Wednesday, Nov. 19. He is best known for creating a new science called paleopathology, or the study of mummies. During the event he will share his experience developing the science and study of mummies. Click here for more: Event Details
Joanne Slavin, Ph.D., R.D. (Masonic Cancer Center), is one of 13 nationally recognized experts appointed to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. This committee will advise the secretaries of the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Heath and Human Services on necessary nutritional and dietary revisions to the existing dietary guidelines.
Randy Singer, D.V.M., M.P.V.M., Ph.D (College of Veterinary Medicine), testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture subcommittee on livestock, dairy, and poultry in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 25. The public hearing reviewed advances in animal health in the livestock industry .
James Cloyd, Pharm.D. (College of Pharmacy), was recently elected to the American Epilepsy Society’s board of directors.
Medical School celebrates BMT 40th anniversary
The celebration will include a Continuing Medical Education event from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, Nov. 7, in the Great Hall at Coffman Memorial Union. Visit the CME Web site to register. A 40th anniversary celebration is slated from 1 to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 8, also in Coffman Memorial Union. E-mail Melinda Baxter at mbaxter1@Fairview.org, or call (612) 672-7272 to RSVP.
Masonic Memorial Hospital officially becomes Masonic Memorial Building
Following the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the Masonic Memorial Hospital at 424 Harvard Street S.E., its name has been formally changed to Masonic Memorial Building. The name change was approved by the Board of Regents at its October meeting to better reflect the building's current use. The Masonic Cancer Clinic, the Breast Center, and the General Clinical Research Center are housed in the building.
FDA awards U pharmacy consortium $1.19 million
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has awarded a $1.19 million contract to the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Technology and Education, a consortium of 11 leading pharmaceutical science and engineering universities, to develop quality by design guidance on design space specifications. To read more about the contract visit: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/
fdaaward102908/home.html
U receives $100,000 Grand Challenges Explorations Grant
The University has received a $100,000 Grand Challenges Explorations grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The grant will support an innovative global health research project conducted by Dan S. Kaufman, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of medicine in the Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation and associate director of the Stem Cell Institute, titled, “Human embryonic stem cell-derived natural killer cells as potent mediators of anti-HIV immunity.” To read more about the grant visit: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/
challengesgrant102408/home.html
Deadline approaching for 2009 Academy for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
The deadline for nominations to the 2009 Academy for Excellence in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning is Friday, Nov. 28. Eligible candidates include all full- and part-time faculty members, clinical-track faculty, professional and academic instructors, community-based faculty members, preceptors, or teams of faculty. Questions regarding the nomination process may be directed to Erin Sperling at (612) 624-3970 or sperl004@umn.edu. Details regarding the nomination process may be found online at: www.ahceducation.umn.edu/academy.
Mini Bioethics School set to begin
Mini Bioethics School is a three-week course beginning Nov. 13, covering topics such as ethics and public health emergencies, health care professionals in interrogation, and stem cell research. The course is taught by the Center for Bioethics faculty and hosted by center Director Jeffrey Kahn. Registration is $45. A limited number of scholarships for students are available; to inquire about a student scholarship contact: meslo001@umn.edu. All classes are 6-8 p.m., in 3-125 Mayo Memorial Auditorium. For more information and registration, see Bioethics.
SOD clinics seeking child, adult patients
School of Dentistry patient clinics are open to the public and immediate appointments for children and adults are available. Patients receive a diagnosis and professional care from student dentists and hygienists, dental residents, and faculty members. The full range of general and specialty dental services are available at reduced fees. For an appointment or more information, call (612) 624-8400 or go to www.dentistry.umn.edu.
“The Impact of Public Reporting on Post-Acute Care”
Rachel Werner, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pennsylvania and core investigator with the VA HSR&D Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion will present a seminar 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 4, in Room 2-530 Moos Tower titled, “The Impact of Public Reporting on Post-Acute Care.” For more details, go to the Division of Health Policy and Management Web site at www.hpm.umn.edu.
“The Safety of Our Food Supply”
Mike Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, and Kirk Smith, supervisor of the Foodborne Disease Unit at the Minnesota Department of Health, will discuss the safety of food supply and the technologies and regulations available to insure the health of Minnesotans. The event is 7:30-9 a.m., Nov. 21, at the Minnesota Department of Education. Seating is limited and registration is encouraged. Register at www.MPHA.net.
CSpH to host Positive Aging Conference
With the goal of advancing a national conversation around positive aging, this day-long conference will share tools and resources to explore purpose, meaning and vitality in the second half of life. Broadcast live from the University of Minnesota’s Center for Spirituality & Healing, world-renowned experts and best-selling authors will address the importance of purpose and meaning in later life, as well as lessons for health and longevity learned from regions around the world. The conference is 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 12. Visit www.csh.umn.edu for more about the event, or contact Tony Baisley at (612) 624-2141.
“Party in the Park”
This event will be on Sunday, Nov. 9, at Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America. The family-friendly day will feature exclusive use of park attractions, rides, music, live entertainment, and a silent auction. Proceeds benefit the University Pediatrics Foundation, which supports the University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital, Fairview and the Department of Pediatrics, where physician-researchers develop and deliver innovative treatments and cures for childhood diseases. For more information, visit www.upf.umn.edu.
SPH to educate prospective students about graduate programs in health care
From 5-7 p.m. on Nov. 10, in the Mayo Memorial Building, Room D330, prospective students are encouraged to learn about academic programs for: M.P.H. in Public Health Administration & Policy; M.H.A. in Healthcare Administration; M.S. in Health Services Research, Policy & Administration; and Ph.D. in Health Services Research, Policy & Administration. For more information or to make a reservation, call (612) 624-8818 or send an e-mail to eherring@umn.edu. Complete event details can be found at www.hpm.umn.edu.
Nov. 8
8 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Caring for a Parent with Memory Loss:
Legal, Medical, and Distance Issues
Joseph Gaugler, Ph.D., University of Minnesota School of Nursing
Location: Moos Health Sciences Tower - 2-530
Nov. 11 – Nov. 13
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
4th Annual Minnesota Nanotechnology Conference
Location: Radisson University Hotel
Nov. 12
12:15 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Learning 2.0 Lunch & Learn Seminar
Serious Gaming
Kurtis Scaletta and Chris Scruton
Location: Moos Health Sciences Tower - 1-450, and 155 Peters (St. Paul)
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.
Lung cancer research
November is the home to the Great American Smokeout and also is National Lung Cancer Awareness month. Check out a 1956 photograph showcasing University research technologies connecting the relationship between smoking and lung cancer at: http://blog.lib.umn.edu/moore144/ahcarchives/
2008/11/cancer_awareness.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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