News Capsules 03/30/05
March 30, 2005
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Senior Vice President Frank Cerra testified to the House Higher Education Finance Committee March 21 in support of the University's legislative request. Cerra provided an overview of the AHC, outlined how the University benefits the state, listed the financial challenges facing the AHC, and emphasized the importance of a partnering with the state of Minnesota and its communities. Also presenting was Doris Taylor, Medical School, who demonstrated her research in cardiovascular repair and discussed how discoveries in the AHC's labs can be translated into new therapies and treatments for Minnesotans. Taylor is the director of the Center for Cardiovascular Repair.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Attend AHC Day at the Capitol: Meet your legislators Thursday, April 7, and explain to them the importance of funding the University of Minnesota. To make it easy for you to participate, legislator meetings will be scheduled for you, and shuttle buses will depart for the Capitol from Mayo Circle every 30 minutes. Register by April 1, 5 p.m., at http://ga4.org/u_of_m_leg_net/events/ahcday/details.tcl. Questions? Contact Deborah Zorn at 625-1185 or mailto:zorn@umn.edu.
Introduction to those representing health professions students at the state legislature: Did you know that there are people who educate legislators on your behalf at the state and federal levels? Do you know what they are saying on your behalf? Ever wonder how best to make your voice heard regarding state policy issues that may affect you both now and into your professional career? If you answered yes to any of these questions, please join the Academic Health Center's Student Consultative Committee April 12, noon 1 p.m., in Moos 2-520 for a brown bag discussion with government affairs professionals and grassroots coordinators from various health professional organizations. All AHC students are invited. For more information, contact Matt Wiisanen at 651-398-9206 or mailto:wiis0006@umn.edu.
NEWS
Medical School researchers have identified a newly emerging illness that strikes patients while they are recovering from flu-like illnesses. The disease is caused by a new strain of Staphyloccocus bacteria, which release toxins into the bloodstream. It can lead to death. "It is important to alert medical professionals about the symptoms and treatments of this new deadly disease," said Patrick Schlievert, Medical School, microbiology. "We are continuing to study and monitor cases of purpura fulminans to better understand the causes and best treatment options." For more, go to http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/respiratory032805 http://www.startribune.com/stories/1556/5317318.html
Ophthalmologists in the Medical School say that a condition that causes permanent vision loss has been diagnosed in a small group of men who have taken the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra. The condition, described as “stroke of the eye,” occurs when blood flow is cut off to the optic nerve, which injures the nerve and results in permanent vision loss. These cases were published in the March 2005 issue of the Journal of Neuro-ophthalmology. For more, go to http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/viagra032105
Cancer Center researcher Logan Spector, Medical School, pediatrics, has received a $2.6 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to lead an investigation on the causes of a rare liver cancer--hepatoblastoma--that affects only about 100 young children per year in the United States. This study will be the largest and most comprehensive national investigation of HB to date. For more, go to http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/liver031605
The College of Veterinary Medicine held the world's first equine dental symposium Feb. 25 to 27, covering such topics as dental radiology, periodontal disease, endodontic disease and root canal therapy, dental restorations, and orthodonics--all applied specifically to horses. Twenty-six equine veterinarians from 15 states and five countries attended. The symposium was led by Gary Goldstein, Veterinary Medical Center and director of the Veterinary Dental Service.
Investigators can now conveniently complete required forms online, thanks to a University initiative called eResearch Central. Many AHC researchers are now taking advantage of this service by completing forms required by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). The IRB and IACUC will e-mail investigators a “time-to-file” reminder when a form is due for completion. More information about how to complete forms online will be included in that e-mail. A list of frequently asked questions about eResearch Central and the IRB/IACUC process is available at http://egms.quickhelp.umn.edu/eRC/Support/faqs.pdf. For more information, contact the relevant review board at mailto:irb@umn.edu or mailto:iacuc@umn.edu.
Medical School education leaders have begun a project to transform and improve the school’s medical education curriculum. Visioning and planning for the five-year project, called MED 2010, began in January. MED 2010 will build upon the curricular and educational program improvements instituted in the last few years. More information is available at http://www.med.umn.edu/education/curriculum. Along with an introduction to the project, the Web site offers references, faculty development opportunities, and the ability to submit questions. The site will evolve over the course of this project. Questions, comments, and suggestions for improvement can be submitted via the Web site.
Graduate assistants soon will vote on whether to unionize and join the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America, Local 1105. A polling place will be set up for AHC graduate assistants to vote on April 15 at 1-250 Moos Tower. University leaders urge all graduate assistants to study the question of unionization and to vote. Under state law, a majority of those voting, no matter how small the turnout, will determine the outcome for all 4,500 University graduate assistants. If the union is approved, it will represent graduate assistants in bargaining compensation, benefits, and certain other employment matters. And all graduate assistants will have union dues or a faire share fee in lieu of union dues deducted from their paychecks. For more information, go to http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/er/gaunion/qanda.html.
The Medical School’s M.D./Ph.D. program recently received a highly favorable review following an external site visit by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. Students develop a robust identity as physician scientists-in-training from the program, the reviewers said, and transitions between phases of learning-from classroom to laboratory to clinic-are as seamless as possible. Cited for their energetic, committed leadership were program Director Tucker LeBien, and Associate Director Peter Bitterman.
On March 17, 223 U of M fourth-year medical students received their residency match information. Just over 48 percent of the class of 2005 went into primary care and 114 placed in Minnesota. Of those who placed out of state, 19 percent will be in the central region of the country, 12 percent in the west, 10 percent in the northeast, and 5 percent in the south.
Hasselmo Hall will become the official name for the Basic Sciences and Biomedical Engineering building at a public event on Friday, May 6, 3:30 to 5 p.m., in the building’s atrium. Watch Brief for more details.
PEOPLE
The following faculty are recipients of the University’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Graduate and Professional Education: Timothy J. Ebner, Medical School, neuroscience; Carl A. Osborne, College of Veterinary Medicine, veterinary clinical sciences; Mary Margaret Rowan, School of Nursing; Raj G. Suryanarayanan, College of Pharmacy, pharmaceutics; and Gregory M. Vercellotti, Medical School, hematology/oncology/transplantation.
College of Veterinary Medicine faculty and students were recognized at Points of Pride Research Days March 22 and 23. The Pfizer Research Excellence Award went to Sagar Goyal, veterinary population medicine, for his leadership in the development of vaccines and diagnostic tests. Poster competition winners were Summer Scholars Julie Bryngelson and Brian Hardy, Alonso Guedes in the residents/interns category, and Catherine St. Hill in the post-docs category. Graduate students Jean Paul Cano won in the applied science area and Polly Mattila won in the basic science area. Also, the Distinguished Research Partner Award was given to Boehringer Ingleheim Vetmedica, Inc., a major supporter of the College's Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory and swine research programs.
Barbara Brandt, AHC assistant vice president for education, served on a national commission that recently released a strategic report and faculty toolkit for helping health professions schools and associations better support community-engaged scholarship. “Linking Scholarship and Communities” was prepared by the Commission on Community-Engaged Scholarship in the Health Professions. The commission was convened by the nonprofit organization, Community-Campus Partnerships for Health, and received funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Susan Gust, coordinator and co-founder of Phillips Neighborhood Healthy Housing Collaborative, also served on the commission. To view the report, go to http://depts.washington.edu/ccph/kellogg3.html.
James Cloyd, College of Pharmacy, will receive a Research Achievement Award in the Pharmaceutical Sciences from the American Pharmacists Association.
Scott A. Dee, College of Veterinary Medicine, Swine Disease Eradication Center, was named president-elect of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians March 8 at the organization’s annual meeting. Third-year veterinary student Jennifer Schurrer received a $5,000 scholarship for best student presentation at the meeting.
Robert Fecik, College of Pharmacy, will receive an American Cancer Society Research Scholar Grant of $720,000 over four years for his project, "Synthesis of Tubulysin D and Investigation of Its Tubulin Binding Site." David Ferguson, College of Pharmacy, is a co-investigator.
Kamil Ugurbil, director, Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, McKnight Presidential Endowed Chair Professor, received an honorary doctorate March 24 from Utrecht University in the Netherlands. He was honored for his groundbreaking research in magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy studies in cerebral function and metabolism.
Dan Winterer, School of Nursing undergraduate student, will receive a President's Student Leadership & Service Award. Winterer was nominated by Karin Alaniz for his work as this year's chair of CLARION.
Jean Wyman, School of Nursing, has been elected to serve on the board of directors of the Midwest Nursing Research Society for 2005-2007.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Familial cancer, cancer myths, and genetics and cancer will be the topics discussed at the spring Cancer U: Ask The Experts series sponsored by the Cancer Center. The free community education series is an opportunity to talk with University cancer doctors, researchers, nurses, and counselors about cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and research. Program dates are April 2, April 16, and May 14. For more information, go to http://www.cancer.umn.edu/page/news/release031705-2.html.
The College of Veterinary Medicine/Raptor Center holds its annual open house Sunday, April 3, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, go to http://www.cvm.umn.edu/newsandevents/events/openhouse.html
Celebrate National Public Health Week April 4-10 by taking in free movies at a film festival sponsored by the School of Public Health, the Minnesota Public Health Association, and the U of M Film Committee. Featured films include "Making a Killing: Philip Morris, Kraft & Global Tobacco Addiction,” "Meth: Shadow Across America,” and "Sex Hygiene Scare Films.” Movies and snacks are free, as are the panel discussions and expert introductions provided by health professionals. For more, go to http://www.sph.umn.edu/news/phawarenessweek
The first national CLARION case competition for interprofessional teams of students takes place April 8-9. Teams from Dartmouth, the University of Chicago, University of Missouri at Columbia, University of Tennessee, University of Connecticut, and University of Wisconsin-Madison will compete with the number-one University of Minnesota team. Each team consists of four students from the fields of medicine, nursing, pharmacy, public health, or health-care administration who tackle the case study of a major medical error. CLARION was founded by Minnesota students a few years ago, with a focus on increasing patient safety through interprofessional collaboration. Details are at http://www.chip.umn.edu/chip/involvement/committees/clarion/CaseComp/Winter_Retreat.html. For more information, contact Judy Beniak at mailto:benia001@umn.edu.
An evening of multicultural arts called Harambe, which means "let's all come together,” starts at 5 p.m., April 10, at Coffman Union’s theater. The performance program, which begins at 6:30 p.m., celebrates the healing power of the arts and our common humanity, uniting the medical community with the greater campus community. For more information, go to http://www.student.med.umn.edu/amsa/harambe/harambe.htm
The Design of Medical Devices Conference is April 13-14 and the President's Interdisciplinary Conference on Medical Devices is April 15 at the Radisson Hotel Metrodome. The forum brings together researchers and industry professionals to discuss the future of biotechnolgy. A full program and registration information is available at http://www.me.umn.edu/dmd/
“Leading Change: Strategies for a Vital Health Professions Workforce” will bring together business, education, economic development, and health care professionals April 14-15 in St. Paul to discuss community-based, regional strategies for invigorating and supporting the next generation of health professionals. Sponsored by the Academic Health Center, the conference will seek solutions to health professions workforce shortages and explore complex concepts that have an impact on health care, such as education, financing, economics, and changing demands on health system delivery. For more information or to register, visit http://www.ahc.umn.edu/education or contact Shelby Williams at mailto:mnahec@umn.edu or 624-5873.
Wine glasses will clink in celebration of children’s health at the University Pediatrics Foundation’s WineFest on May 13 and 14 at the Historic Depot in Minneapolis. This year’s event will celebrate the Department of Pediatrics 90 years of research, education, and meeting the health care needs of children in Minnesota and throughout the world. For more information, go to http://www.thewinefest.com.
“Critical Health Issues for the 21st Century” is the theme of this year’s Global Health Forum, presented April 16 by the Students’ International Health Committee. The keynote speaker is Werner Fornos, president of the Population Institute in Washington, D.C. The event will be held at the Holiday Inn Metrodome, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, students, faculty, and staff. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. For more information, please contact mailto:ever0152@umn.edu.
Mayo Professor in Public Health Bradley P. Carlin, biostatistics, will present “Hierarchical Models for Spatio-Temporally Correlated Public Health Data” on Thursday, April 21, in the Molecular and Cellular Biology lecture hall 3-120. A reception is from 4 to 4:30 p.m., followed by the lecture. The Mayo Professors in Public Health Program honors faculty who have distinguished themselves as internationally recognized scholars in one or more of the fields of public health.
Get ready for Relay For Life, an American Cancer Society fund-raising event that celebrates and honors the memory of those whose lives have been touched by cancer. Relay for Life begins at 7 a.m., April 22 and continues through 7 a.m., April 23.
--Register by April 1: register your team online at http://www.acsevents.org/relay/mn/uofm For more information, contact Jenny Meslow, at mailto:meslo001@umn.edu or Jemma Perkins at mailto:merri064@umn.edu . Captains turn in forms and fees, 7 p.m., April 4, in 2-580 Moos Tower. Questions? Contact Brea at mailto:atki0091@umn.edu or Jana at mailto:jana.poppe@cancer.org
--Encourage cancer survivors to participate in Relay for Life’s Survivor Lap--the very first lap of the relay. Those interested should contact Janet at 612 626-2873 or mailto:shane010@umn.edu. There is no fee to participate.
--Purchase luminaria bags to honor those who have died of cancer, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., March 31, April 7, 13, 20, and 21 in the Phillips-Wangensteen concourse (adjacent to Outside Inn); and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Coffman Memorial Union, on April, 13 and 19, and from 1-3 p.m. on April 20. For more information, contact Candy Holmbo at 612-624-9967 or mailto:holmb006@umn.edu.
--Purchase goodies at bake sale April 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Phillips-Wangensteen concourse near the Outside In.
CLINICAL RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
For information on other clinical research opportunities, go to http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/campusnews/trials.
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