News Capsules 01/20/06
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
President Robert Bruininks this week called on state officials to work with the University to develop creative ways to finance bioscience research buildings on campus. His comments followed Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s proposal to provide only $127.6 million in state funds for campus building projects (the U would provide an additional $43.9 million). The governor’s proposal includes full funding for Carlson School of Management expansion, a science teaching and student services center on the Twin Cities campus, and the Labovitz School of Business and Economics building on the Duluth campus. But it includes only planning funds for a medical biosciences building. Bruininks called the governor’s proposal a good start, but said investment in bioscience is critical if the U is to become a top three public research university and also essential for enhancing the state’s quality of life. “These are investments in health and prosperity that we cannot afford to shortchange,” he said. Read more at http://www.ur.umn.edu/unsreleases/find.php?ID=2686&from=umnnews.
What You Can Do: Attend the Jan. 25 Legislative Briefing. Hear President Bruininks, students, and faculty explain how the building projects in this year’s capital request will benefit the University and the entire state. This program will teach you how to be an effective advocate for the University at the Legislature and in your own community. The event runs from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in the McNamara Alumni Center and includes a light dinner. To register, call 612-625-9174. For more information, go to http://www.supporttheu.umn.edu.
NEWS
Strategic positioning efforts within the AHC received a boost this week after 56 faculty and staff members of the four AHC task forces gathered to discuss common themes and issues emerging from the four-month-long planning efforts to date. As captured by Senior Vice President Frank Cerra, the characteristics that will drive the necessary change for a successful future are: Curiosity, Creativity, Compassion, Competency, Collaboration, Connection, and Communication.
Three grants up to $200,000 each will be awarded this year under the Academic Health Center’s Translational Research Grant Program. The program was established to assist researchers move research from the lab to clinic. The application deadline is May 5. Details are available at http://www.ahc.umn.edu/research/funding/translational.
Apply now through April 7 for an AHC Seed Grant of up to $25,000. The program is intended to support new initiatives in a faculty member's research. Fifteen awards will be made. Details are at http://www.ahc.umn.edu/research/funding/seedgrants.
Business leaders from across the country are coming to Minneapolis Feb. 14-15 to attend the Business Planning for Pandemic Influenza National Summit. They will join government leaders and health experts in a timely and practical discussion of how to effectively and efficiently prepare businesses for pandemic influenza. Speakers include Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt, former secretary Tommy Thompson, and Michael Osterholm, director of the University’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP). The event is co-sponsored by CIDRAP, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. A detailed agenda and online registration are available at http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/summit.
The NIH has closed a large AIDS/HIV clinical trial because patients receiving episodic therapy had twice the risk of becoming sicker or dying than those who received continuous therapy. The NIH announced Jan. 18 that it was stopping the trial called Strategies for Management of Anti-Retroviral Therapy, or SMART, which was designed to determine which of two different HIV treatment strategies would result in greater overall clinical benefit. “The SMART trial reached a conclusion much earlier than we expected,” said Jim Neaton, U of M School of Public Health, who served as a principal investigator and chief biostatistician for the trial. “That is the significant value and potential power of conducting such a large trial.” The full press release and a Q and A are available from the NIH at http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/jan2006/niaid-18.htm.
A combined chemotherapy treatment method extends survival rates by 16 months for women with advanced ovarian cancer, according to clinical trials supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The treatment includes IV chemotherapy combined with chemotherapy delivered to the abdominal area. The NCI is encouraging surgeons and other health professionals to use the combined treatment method following surgery. Cancer Center researcher Linda Carson, Medical School, ob/gyn, led the portion of the study conducted at the University. For more, go to http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/ovarian010506.
Beginning Feb. 1, the lobby of University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview will be closed for renovation until late spring. During the closure, staff should use the Mayo building main entrance or the Diehl Plaza entrance on the medical center’s north side. Staff should be dropped off and picked up at the Mayo building circle. Patients and visitors will use the tunnel between the parking ramp and medical center and the south-side entrance to the Masonic Cancer Center. Valet parking will continue to be offered in the hospital circle. For more information about the project, contact Jim Eilrich, facilities manager, 612-273-3168.
The University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview, has been designated an American Society for Bariatric Surgery Bariatric Center of Excellence. The center exceeds volume and clinical outcome requirements for this designation, and its multi-disciplinary staff is uniquely experienced to manage complex cases and conduct pediatric bariatric surgery. Staff work closely with the University of Minnesota’s pediatric medical weight management program and also are developing adult programs.
University of Minnesota Physicians has opened two QUITPLAN Tobacco Cessation Centers, one at its Smiley’s Family Medicine Clinic and the other at its Broadway Family Medicine Clinic in Minneapolis. QUITPLAN is a grant partnership between the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Partnership for Action against Tobacco. An open house will launch the first QUITPLAN centers in the metro area on Thursday, Jan. 26, 3 to 6 p.m., at Smiley’s Family Medicine Clinic. Counselors will be on hand to answer questions, test breath carbon monoxide levels, and provide more information. Refreshments, games, and giveaways will be offered. All faculty and staff are welcome. Call 612-333-0770 for more information.
The Minnesota Medical Foundation (MMF) will accept two awards Jan. 25 from the Minnesota chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. “Minnesota LifeLine,” a documentary on the University’s Medical Reserve Corps’ hurricane relief efforts in Louisiana, won the IABC’s Award of Excellence. MMF’s 2004 annual report, Imagine the Future, won IABC’s Award of Merit.
The Stem Cell Institute has moved into the McGuire Translational Research Facility. Phone numbers for faculty and administrative staff are unchanged. The new address for the institute is: Stem Cell Institute, McGuire Translational Research Facility (LRB/MTRF), 2001 6th St. S.E., Mail Code 2873, Minneapolis, MN 55455.
PEOPLE
Sixty U of M physicians were listed as Top Docs in the January issue of Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. About every 18 months, the magazine lists Twin Cities physicians who are nominated by their peers for providing the type of care that they would select for their own families. To view the list of U of M physicians, go to http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/topdocs.
Gordy Alexander, president of University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview, received the Minnesota Hospital Association’s Stephen Rogness Distinguished Service Award, the association’s highest honor to a hospital executive. Alexander was selected for his leadership in mental health and medical education, his dedication to improving patient safety, and his role on a statewide ethics panel. Other Fairview award winners were: Fairview Southdale Hospital for innovation in patient care; Fairview Lakes Health Services as a community partner in health-care career promotion; and Joanell Dyrstad as trustee of the year. For a full list of award recipients, go to http://www.mnhospitals.com.
Stephen Clifford, fourth-year dental student, was selected by the Academy of Operative Dentistry as student table clinician winner at the 2005 American Dental Association’s meeting in Philadelphia for his presentation “Do Polymerization Techniques Affect the Physical Properties of Composites?” Clifford participated in the School of Dentistry’s Summer Research Program during all four years of dental school.
William H. Douglas, School of Dentistry, restorative sciences, has been selected as the 2006 recipient of the Academy of Operative Dentistry’s Hollenback Memorial Prize, given in recognition of substantial contributions to the advancement of restorative dentistry. Douglas will receive the award Feb. 23 at the academy’s annual meeting.
Judy Garrard has been named senior associate dean for research and academic affairs for the School of Public Health by Dean John Finnegan. Garrard will have primary responsibility for research and educational policy implementation, compliance, and faculty development. The responsibility for academic affairs were added to Garrard’s portfolio after Mary Story stepped down in December as associate dean for academic and student affairs to lead a new, $16 million multi-institution Robert Wood Johnson Foundation research initiative, Healthy Eating Research. Finnegan also asked Garrard to chair the search committee for a new associate dean for student affairs.
Steven Juhn, Medical School, otolaryngology, recently received a three-year, $950,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health for his study “Effect of Middle Ear Inflammation on the Inner Ear.”
Russell Luepker, School of Public Health, epidemiology, Mayo Professor of Public Health, received the Distinguished Achievement Award from the American Heart Association, Council on Epidemiology and Prevention, Nov. 15 at the 2005 Scientific Sessions in Dallas.
Research conducted in Joel Rudney’s lab, School of Dentistry, was featured on the January cover of the microbiology journal Infection and Immunity. The cover image, created by second-year dental student Tracy Grossman, depicts the invasion of a cell by a type of bacteria that contributes to gum disease. The image was considered particularly appropriate for the January cover because of its resemblance to the ball dropping at Times Square on New Year's Eve. To see the cover, go to http://iai.asm.org/current.dtl.
Eric Stafne, School of Dentistry, was elected to the Minnesota Smoke-Free Coalition Board of Directors. The Smoke-Free Coalition is a group of health, business, and civic organizations working together to reduce tobacco use in Minnesota.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The AHC Office of Clinical Research is accepting applications for clinical and translational research program summer fellowships. Applications are due Feb. 15. These paid fellowships will provide training in clinical and translational research for predoctoral AHC students (D.D.S., D.V.M., M.D., Pharm.D., or Ph.D.). The 8-10 week program begins mid-June. During this time, fellows will work with established investigators on an ongoing clinical or translational research project. Applicants will be matched with mentors based on the applicants’ needs and interests. Small group weekly seminars will also be held, focusing on research ethics, good clinical practice, grant writing, and the responsible conduct of research. Those currently pursuing a predoctoral health professional degree in dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, public health, or veterinary medicine are eligible. For more information and to access the application, go to http://www.ahc.umn.edu/ocr/fellowship. For questions about eligibility, please contact Becky Moen at 612-625-2691 or ramoen@umn.edu.
“Minnesota Confidential,” a documentary highlighting the history and current debate over the Minors’ Consent Act, will be shown at 5:45 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 24, in the Coffman Union Theater. A reception will follow. AHC faculty, staff, and students are invited. The event is sponsored by the Minnesota Public Health Association, the School of Public Health Mentor Program, and School of Public Health Student Senate. For more information, contact Michelle Lian-Anderson at liana001@umn.edu.
“Combating Emerging Infectious Disease with Wildlife Health Monitoring” is the title of a seminar sponsored by the School of Public Health and the College of Veterinary Medicine, on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 3 to 4 p.m., in Moos Tower 2-620. Katharine Pelican of the Smithsonian National Zoological Park (and an alumna of the U of M College of Veterinary Medicine) will speak. Refreshments will be served at 2:30 p.m.
Learn more about health-related careers at the third annual Biosciences and Medical Career Connections event Feb. 13, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the DoubleTree Hotel in St. Louis Park. The event provides networking opportunities for students, recent graduates, and mid-career professionals seeking employment in such health-care fields as biotechnology, medical technology, and pharmaceutical care. The cost is $25, $10 for students. To sign up or get more information, visit http://www.oncallstaffing.com or call 763-541-1393, ext. 222, if you have questions. The event is sponsored by Medical Alley/MNBIO, MedSuds, and Twin Cities Business Monthly.
“Protecting Water Quality for Future Generations” is the Great Conversations topic for Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m., at Ted Mann Concert Hall. The program features Deborah Swackhamer, professor of environmental chemistry in the School of Public Health, and David Shindler, professor of ecology at the University of Alberta, Edmonton. Swackhamer also is co-director of the University's Water Resources Center. The University’s College of Continuing Education sponsors Great Conversations. For more information, go to http://www.cce.umn.edu/conversations.
The Center on Aging Distinguished Lecture Series presents “Does Where You Live Matter? Putting Long-term Care into Context” on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 11:15 to 12:30 p.m., in Jackson Hall 6-135. Naoko Muramatsu, associate professor, Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, will present the lecture, along with special guest Richard Campbell. The lecture is free and open to the public. Lunch will be provided. Please register by sending an e-mail to coa@umn.edu or by calling 624-1185.
The Deinard Memorial Lecture Series on Law and Medicine will present David Kaye on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Mississippi Room at Coffman Memorial Union. Kaye will lecture on “The Science of Human Identification: From the Laboratory to the Courtroom.” Barbara Koenig, Mayo College of Medicine, and William Iacono, University of Minnesota, will offer commentary. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required if you wish to receive continuing education credits (CLE, CME or CNE). To register, send an e-mail to jointdgr@umn.edu or call 625-0055. For more information on upcoming events, visit http://www.jointdegree.umn.edu/conferences.
|
