News Capsules - 4/23/08
April 23, 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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This has been a difficult week for the University's health sciences as two of our recent top recruits face significant charges of wrongdoing by their former university employer. We are committed to learning all the facts before making any decisions or public comment here; however, this incident already provides us with an opportunity to reflect and learn.
Within this increasingly competitive environment of academia, we are playing on a new field of endeavor that has rules and procedures all its own. We're learning those rules, and working to compete effectively as we seek to attract high performers who can augment the significant talent already here. We're learning that there are great strengths within this institution in our evolving corridors of discovery that are acting as a talent magnet drawing faculty to come join the activity taking place. We're learning that the promise of new research buildings and investment in our core service platforms are attractions to talented faculty and staff. And we're learning once again that the most important assets we have in the Academic Health Center are all of you - it's your relationships, your reputation, your work that are the primary draws bringing national and international attention to the University of Minnesota.
– Frank B. Cerra, M.D.
Sr. Vice President for Health Sciences
Legislative Update
This week state lawmakers will finalize the funding for a 5-year, $4.9 million School of Public Health-led research study on mesothelioma, a lung cancer that has affected those working in the mines on Minnesota's Iron Range. The study will review death records and conduct screenings of current and former workers and their families as well as an environmental review conducted by the National Resources Research Institute based on the Duluth campus. We hope to hear more about a signing ceremony for this important piece of legislation later this week.
Another proposal that is likely to pass this session is the advancement of a mid-level dental practitioner study to meet the state's dental needs. The legislation is part of the omnibus higher education policy bill. The School of Dentistry is helping to lead this effort, together with their partners in the higher education and health care community. We expect additional action on this concept in the 2009 session.
The Senate and House have each passed health care reforms proposals that seek to address the cost, quality and access issues. The two proposals are very different and legislative leaders are working with the Governor on what might be acceptable reform steps for the 2008 session. In addition, the budget bills are in flux and waiting for legislative leaders and the Governor to come to an agreement.
Masons give University $65 million for Cancer Research
The University of Minnesota received its largest gift ever - $65 million from the Minnesota Masonic Charities - to the University of Minnesota Cancer Center. With this pledge, Masonic support of cancer research and care at the University of Minnesota over the past 53 years totals $100 million. In recognition of this record-breaking gift, the University of Minnesota Cancer Center is now called the Masonic Cancer Center.
"Our mission is to use our knowledge and skills for a single purpose: to find cures and develop better ways for preventing, diagnosing, and treating cancer," said Douglas Yee, M.D., director. For more information, go to: http://www.cancer.umn.edu/.
U-Mayo Partnership Advances Potential MS Therapy
A production laboratory founded by the Minnesota Partnership has transferred its first potential therapy - a medication for multiple sclerosis - to a processing plant in Minnesota. This step will complete purification of material to fully enable translation from preclinical to clinical development. For more information, go to: http://www.minnesotapartnership.info/pressreleases/2008-0417/.
College of Pharmacy Study May Explain Why Some People with Epilepsy Do Not Respond to Medication
A College of Pharmacy researcher is the lead author on a study that found neurotransmitters released during epileptic seizures turn on a signaling pathway in the brain, which in turn increases production of a protein that could reduce medication entry into the brain. "This may in part explain why approximately 30 percent of patients with epilepsy do not respond to anti-epileptic medications," said Bjoern Bauer, Ph.D., assistant professor in the College of Pharmacy and lead author of the study. For more information, go to: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/epilepsy042108/home.html.
Researchers Identify Nervous System Process That May Help Discover Treatments For Parkinson's, Spinal Cord Injuries
A new discovery by University researchers may lead to a better understanding of how the spinal cord controls how people walk. These insights could help lead to treatments for central nervous system maladies such as Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injuries. The study, headed by Joshua Puhl, Ph.D., and Karen Mesce, Ph.D., in the Departments of Entomology and Neuroscience, (Medical School) discovered it's possible that the human nervous system - within each segment or region of spinal cord - may have its own "unit burst generator" to control rhythmic movements such as walking. For more information, go to: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/epilepsy042108/home.html.
Gwen Halaas, M.D., M.B.A. (Medical School), has been selected to attend the Harvard Macy Institute's Leading Innovation in Health Care and Education. This opportunity will allow her to study intensively with leaders and other scholars to further develop a project that will benefit interprofessional education within the AHC.
Robert Miller, M.D. (Medical School), will receive the 2008 Proctor Medal from the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. The award, the association's highest honor, is presented annually for outstanding research in basic or clinical sciences as applied to ophthalmology.
Michael Miner, Ph.D. (Medical School), was honored with the Professional Service Award from the Minnesota Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers at its annual conference.
Stephen Katz, Ph.D. (Medical School), will receive a 2007-2008 Distinguished Teaching Award from the University of Minnesota.
Joanne Disch, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N. (School of Nursing), is among seven alumni of the University of Wisconsin-Madison who will be honored with the 2008 Distinguished Alumni Awards.
Medical School welcomes new associate dean
Kathleen D. Brooks, M.D., M.B.A., M.P.A., has accepted the new position of associate dean for primary care at the Medical School. As associate dean for primary care, Brooks will provide leadership and direction for Medical School programs involving medical student educational experiences in primary care and will be leading the Rural Physician Associate Program.
Masonic Cancer Center welcomes Robert Milius
Robert Milius, Ph.D., former assistant director of the Academic Health Center's Center for Biomedical Research Informatics, has joined the Biostatistics and Informatics Core as caBIG(tm) Deployment Lead. The National Cancer Institute's caBIG(tm) Program aims to develop and deploy informatics capabilities to facilitate seamless collaborative research within and across sites that conduct cancer research and thereby speed and enhance our understanding and treatment of cancer.
SPH climbs in rankings
The School of Public Health (SPH) has reclaimed the top position in a ranking of National Institutes of Health (NIH) awards for schools of public health at a public university. Of all schools of public health, SPH is number three behind Harvard University and Johns Hopkins University. The School of Public Health is also number one among all schools of public health in the average NIH award amount, coming in at more than $1.3 million per award. This is more than double the second and third place schools, Harvard and Columbia.
Public Service Announcement contest winners
More than 50 entries competed in SPH's second annual "It's Global" Public Service Announcement contest. The event was one of several put on by SPH during National Public Health Week.
MeetingMaker upgrade coming soon
MeetingMaker will be unavailable 5 p.m. Friday, April 25 - 6 a.m. Monday, April 28, due to a software upgrade. For more information on new features and what you'll need to do complete the upgrade on your computer, go to: http://mm.ahc.umn.edu/mm_home.cfm.
Tissue Procurement Facility (TPF) has tissues available for research
The TPF now has over 11,000 malignant or metastatic cancer tissues available for researchers. These cancerous tissues were derived from a wide range of organs and body sites. TPF staff can also work with researchers to individualize the procurement of specific tissues to fit your research needs. For more details as to whether TPF currently has the types of tissues that you need for a research project and for additional information, contact Sarah Bowel at bowel001@umn.edu.
"In the Eye of the Beholder: Celebrating the Richness of Human Diversity"
These events, 7:00-9:30 p.m., April 24, at Illusion Theater in Minneapolis, and noon-1:30 p.m., April 25, at Mayo Auditorium, include a presentation, reception, and photograph exhibit by Rick Guidotti. The program at Illusion Theater will also include excerpts from Illusion Theater's play "Autistic License" in which parents describe the journey of a family living with autism. For more information, go to: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/bioethics.
It's Not Over: Innovative Approaches to the Global AIDS Epidemic - A Town Meeting with Congresswoman Betty McCollum
This event, organized by Physicians for Human Rights and the Minnesota AIDS Project, is noon - 1:30 p.m., April 28, in Mayo Memorial Auditorium. Speakers also will include Ilana Landsberg-Lewis, executive director of the Stephen Lewis Foundation; Bosola Akinsete, M.D., M.P.H., assistant professor of medicine, University of Minnesota; and Keith Henry, M.D., pioneering HIV researcher and director of clinical HIV research at the University of Minnesota.
Grant Writing for Interdisciplinary Research: Developing Successful Proposals
This workshop, 3-5 p.m., April 30, in A.I. Johnson Great Room, McNamara Alumni Center, will discuss the unique issues and concerns in preparing proposals within interdisciplinary contexts, exploring approaches and best practices in developing grant proposals those cross-disciplinary boundaries. Registration is free, but space is limited and registration is required. For more information and to register, go to: www.grad.umn.edu/oii/workshops.
Goodall to speak on campus
Renowned primatologist Jane Goodall will present the College of Veterinary Medicine's commencement address at Northrop Auditorium on May 3. Goodall will also present a public lecture on May 3 from 11 a.m.-noon at Mayo Memorial Auditorium. Admission is free, the lecture is open to the public, and no reservations are required.
Pulmonary Hypertension Educational Symposium
This event, 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., May 3, at McNamara Alumni Center, is hosted by the Lillihei Heart Institute and the Center for Lung Science and Health. The symposium is free of charge to patients, families and caregivers who are interested in learning more about pulmonary hypertension. For more information, contact Meghan Biever at bieve008@umn.edu or 612-624-8970.
Hear the world's first face transplant surgeon
Jean-Michel Dubernard, M.D., Ph.D., professor of surgery at the University of Lyon will present at 8 a.m., May 6, in 11-157 Phillips Wagensteen Building. Dubernard received international attention after the world's first successful face transplant in 2006. This lecture is the second annual John S. Najarian, M.D. Lecture in Transplantation. For more information, go to: http://www.surg.umn.edu.
"The True Workings of Single Payer Health Systems: Lessons or Warnings for U.S. Reform"
This two-day conference, May 9-10 at the University's Humphrey Center, will examine the true workings of single payer health systems. The conference will include a host of policymakers and national experts. For more information and registration, go to: http://www.politicsandgovernance.org/events/singlepayer.html.
Health Technology Assessment and Health Care For All - A transatlantic experts' roundtable
Join a dialogue with experts from Germany's Federal Ministry of Health and U.S. and German industry representatives, insurers, providers, and policy makers, May 19-20. Speakers include Senior Vice President for Health Sciences Frank B. Cerra, M.D., and Minnesota Department of Human Services Commissioner Cal Ludeman. For more information, go to: http://www.cges.umn.edu/outreach/healthcare.htm.
Ethics in the Worst of Times: Rationing to Protect the Public's Health during a Severe Influenza Pandemic
Ethicists in Minnesota have worked with state and local public health agencies and a diverse community panel to develop an ethical framework to guide the Minnesota Department of Health's decisions in the midst of a severe pandemic. In this session, 1-5 p.m., June 5, at Snelling Office Park, they will present their ethical framework, consisting of principles, goals, and strategies. Interactive remote sites in Bemidji, Fergus Falls, Rochester, St. Cloud, Marshall, and Duluth. For more information and registration at http://cpheo.sph.umn.edu/cpheo/ethics/home.html.
Raise a glass - and raise money for children's health
Enjoy exquisite wines, gourmet menus, and enticing auctions while supporting groundbreaking medical discoveries that help children May 9 - 10 at the Depot in Minneapolis. For event times and registration information, go to: http://www.thewinefest.com.
CALENDAR—
Apr. 30
7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Clinical Research Coordinator Meeting
Becoming One of the Top Three Public Research Universities: How Can Clinical Research Advance the Cause?
Presenter: R. Timothy Mulcahy, Vice President for Research
Location: Moos Health Sciences Tower - 2-520
May 1
6 - 9 p.m.
From Eugenics to Deadly Medicine and Back - Film and Lecture Series
Liebe Perla (documentary of 'Auschwitz dwarf' Perla Ovitz reflects on past experiences and genetic present)
Commentator: Kirk Allison, PhD, MS (Program in Human Rights and Health)
Location: Law Building - 25
May 5
8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Melanoma Monday
Annual Free Skin Cancer Screening
Department of Dermatology
Location: Phillips Wangensteen Building - Dermatologic Surgery and Laser Center - 4th floor
May 6
noon - 1 p.m.
Masonic Cancer Center Seminar
Adhesive Regulation During Cell Migration and Invasion
Presenter Anna Huttenlocher, University of Wisconsin Madision
Location: Cancer Center Research Building - 450
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.
FACILTIES NEWS—
MBB sidewalk relocation
Construction crews are moving a sidewalk in the East Gateway district as construction on the Medical Biosciences Building (MBB) progresses. The affected sidewalk is on the south side of the MBB site, just east of the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research. See the diagram above for the sidewalk's new route.
First bricks laid on TCF Bank Stadium
The first brick was laid on TCF Bank Stadium by 100 year-old Hilding Mortenson, a bricklayer on the original Memorial Stadium project and the uncle of Mort Mortenson, Jr., chairman of Mortenson Construction. Masonry work will continue until November 2008 and will involve 150 workers. 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.
TIME CAPSULE —
Where were you on the afternoon of January 15, 1975?
If it wasn't at the first meeting of the University of Minnesota Hospitals Board of Governors, take a look at the meeting minutes and learn more about the process of bringing an archival collection together.
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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