News Capsules - 5/7/08

May 7, 2008

NEWS CAPSULES is a biweekly newsletter for faculty, staff, and students of the Academic Health Center. To view online, go to:  http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/capsules/capsules050708/home.html. Please send submissions to Nick Hanson at hans2853@umn.edu.

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Spring is finally here, or so it seems, and perhaps the ice will finally clear Minnesota’s lakes in time for this weekend’s fishing opener. But one ritual of spring provides all of us a great reminder of why we do what we do in the Academic Health Center. Commencement season is in full bloom. Already the Medical School and the College of Veterinary Medicine have had their celebrations. This weekend College of Pharmacy students will walk across the stage, and within the next two weeks so will the graduates of the School of Nursing, School of Dentistry, and the School of Public Health. It’s in these days that we are reminded of our profound responsibility to educate the next generation of health professionals who are the stewards of our state’s health. I hope you will take time to recognize the students whose lives you have touched and wish them well as they head out to serve the needs of our families, our communities, our state, and indeed, our world.

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HEADLINES —

Legislative Update
With two weeks left of the regular session and the close of the biennium, there is still much left undone in St. Paul. The House and Senate have agreed on the omnibus higher education bill which would cut the University’s base budget by $5.15 million in 2008 and $4.69 million in 2009. Without a global budget agreement – largely surrounding health care financing and reform – or a tax bill agreement between the legislature and governor, it’s impossible to know whether the legislative proposal will stand. University leadership will continue to plan for best and worst case scenarios.

The Omnibus Higher Education bill now heads for a final vote in the Senate and House before it goes to the governor for his signature. An important part of this bill for the AHC is the legislative study of the mid-level dental practitioner; an effort that will involve the School of Dentistry and many in the community.

Last week the governor signed the Taconite Worker Study Bill which will fund a $4.9 million School of Public study of the health issues of taconite workers and their families.

Dental school student earns prestigious award for heroism after I-35W bridge collapse
Nathan Lund, fourth-year student in the School of Dentistry, received the Soldier’s Medal from the U.S. Army for his efforts to rescue victims of the I-35W Bridge collapse. Lund, a Second lieutenant, and his wife Christine, a registered nurse, were among the first volunteers to respond to the news of the I-35W Mississippi River bridge collapse on Aug. 1, 2007. For more information go to: http://www1.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories/U_student_wins_medal_for_bravery.html

Study may lead to improved treatment for epilepsy, other central nervous disorders
A University of Minnesota 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. For more information go to: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/leukemia050108/home.html

Online intervention paramount for reducing HIV in high risk population
Young Internet-using men who have sex with men and who meet their sexual partners both online and offline have greater numbers of partners, appear more likely to contract HIV, and report higher substance use rates than those who meet their partners exclusively online or offline, according to research at the University of Minnesota. For more information go to:  http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/online042908/home.html

U of M study finds children with leukemia are living longer, productive lives
More than 90 percent of children and young adults who survive five years or longer after diagnosis and treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are alive 20 years later and leading productive lives, according to a study by cancer researcher for the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota. For more information go to: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/leukemia050108/home.html

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Michael Davern, M.A., Ph.D. (School of Public Health), has been awarded the 2008 John D. Thompson Prize for Young Investigators from the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPA). The prize recognizes young investigators based on their contributions to the research literature in the health services field.

Gwen Halaas, M.D., M.B.A. (Medical School), former director of Rural Physicans Associate Program and now the director of the Center for Interprofessional Education, won teacher of the year for her 20-plus years of teaching medical students and family medicine residents.

Therese Zink, M.D., M.P.H. (Medical School), a professor in family medicine and faculty with RPAP, received researcher of the year award for her contributions to the development of family medicine research in Minnesota and with her work in the area of family violence and sexual assault nationally.

Bashar Bakdash, B.C.S., D.D.S., M.P.H., M.S.D. (School of Dentistry), was recognized as the guest of honor at a dinner on April 17 by the Minneapolis District Dental Society for his valuable contributions to dentistry and the community.

Mary Tate (Medical School), director of the Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity, received University-wide recognition on April 15 for her work advising the local chapter of the Student National Medical Association and the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students.

Students: Jessica Oetting, (Medicine), Travis Sherman, (Public Health/Health Care Administration), and Alanna White (Pharmacy), collaborated on the CLARION Interprofessional Case curriculum and won second place in the 2008 national competition.

Nelson L. Rhodus, D.M.D., M.P.H. (School of Dentistry), and Michael C. Brown, Pharm.D (College of Pharmacy), are the first inductees to the Academic Health Center's Academy for Excellence in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, the highest recognition of excellence in the AHC educational mission.

Arne Vainio, M.D. (Medical School alumnus, who started his medical education in Duluth), is receiving the Early Distinguished Career Award, given to a physician for exceptional accomplishments within 15 years of graduating medical school.

John Thomas, M.D.(Medical School), one of the founders of the Medical School’s Duluth campus, is receiving the Harold S. Diehl Award – a lifetime award granted to individuals who have made outstanding professional contributions to the Medical School, the University, and the community.

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UPDATES —

Medical School welcomes Joe Metzger to head Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology
The University of Minnesota Medical School has successfully recruited Joseph M. Metzger, Ph.D., one of the top molecular and integrative physiologists in the United States.

Metzger will become professor and head of the Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology and the Maurice Visscher Endowed Chair in Physiology at the University of Minnesota Medical School beginning Aug. 15, 2008. For more information, go to: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/metzger050508/home.html

Masonic Cancer Center welcomes Cuong Nguyen to head biostatistics and informatics
Cuong Nguyen is the new biomedical informatics information technology manager for the Biostatistics and Informatics Shared Resource. Before coming to the Masonic Cancer Center, Nguyen worked at the University's Minnesota Population Center for almost 10 years as an information technology professional, where he developed database applications, served as architect for data warehouse solutions, and led software development and database projects.

President's Award goes to several AHC members for outstanding service
The President's Award for Outstanding Service is presented each year in the spring and recognizes exceptional service to the University, its schools, colleges, departments, and service units by any active or retired faculty or staff member. Recipients of this award have gone well beyond their regular duties and have demonstrated an unusual commitment to the University community.

Several faculty members from the Academic Health Center received the award:

• Mary Hastings Kenyon, community relations manager, Academic Health Center Office of Communications.
• Andrew Phelan, assistant director, Department of Environmental Health and Safety.
• Warren J. Warwick, professor, Department of Pediatrics, Medical School.

Training and tutorials for new enterprise Financial System available
Training services have launched for four new online tutorials and an instructor-led course for the Enterprise Financial System. The tutorials are requisition approvals, travel and expense approvals, departmental deposits, and asset management, and they are available for enrollment. An instructor-led course, HRMS Impacts, also began last week. Journal entry approvals and vendor payment approvals tutorials will be online later this week. Questions regarding training should be directed to Training Services at trngsvcs@umn.edu or 612-626-1373. Visit this Web site to register: http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/trainingservices/financial/efs/index.html.
 

OPPORTUNITIES —

"Nanotechnology in Health Care: Possibilities, Risks, and Benefits"
The forum includes an introduction to nanoscale technology, an overview of the possible medical implications, and a group discussion. People of all fields and backgrounds are encouraged to attend 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, May 8 at the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul. The forum is free, and space is still available. Register at: http://www.smm.org/forums/. Contact Jen Scott, jscott@smm.org, for more information.

Wald Lectureship on Palliative & Hospice Care, "The Other Side of Caring: Caregiver Suffering"
Internationally known ethicist and scholar Cynda Rushton examines the burden of caring in today's health care environment 4-5 p.m. on May 8 in the Great Hall of Coffman Memorial Union. Rushton's presentation will explore the paradox of providing humane care to others facing serious illness or death while struggling to maintain a healthy life balance for oneself.

Sex-reassignment surgeons to speak
Marci Bowers, M.D. (University of Medical School graduate), will highlight her work in the field of transgender medicine. Loren Schechter, M.D., will also discuss gender confirmation surgery and revision vaginoplasty. The event will take place from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. May 9 in room 2-650 of Moos Tower. For more information: contact Jenae Batt in the Program in Human Sexuality at 612-625-1331, or e-mail jenae@umn.edu.

“The True Workings of Single Payer Health Systems: Lessons or Warnings for U.S. Reform”
To examine the true workings of single payer health systems, a host of policy makers will be joined by preeminent national experts. The event will be May 9 and 10 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Center, at 301 19^th Ave. S., Minneapolis.

Harvard Street Forum to feature Anton Chekhov performance
The next installment of the Harvard Street Forum will feature a presentation about Anton Chekhov. Through an exploration of his letters, stories, and plays – this newly created one-person piece examines the life and work of the physician, writer, and humanitarian Anton Chekhov. It will be presented/performed by the Guthrie Theater's Lee Mark Nelson. The forum begins at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, May 16.

SPH to host presentation about SMART Trial on HIV/AIDS treatment
On Monday, May 19, 9:30-11:30 a.m., in Moos 2-620, the Division of Biostatistics is sponsoring a presentation on the SMART Trial on HIV/AIDS treatment. The trial was terminated early because there was strong evidence of better outcomes in one of the two treatment groups. Study statisticians Jacqueline Neuhaus and Birgund Grund will discuss the circumstances leading up to the decision point. Faculty from all School of Public Health divisions are invited to attend.

University of Minnesota Board Regents to host public forum on University budget
Individuals are invited to address the Board of Regents regarding their fiscal year 2009 budget. The public forum begins at 10:30 a.m., May 21, in the Boardroom on the sixth floor of the McNamara Alumni Center. Individuals wishing to speak should call the Board Office at 612-625-6300 or send an e-mail to uregents@umn.edu (Subject Line: Public Forum) by 3 p.m., Wednesday, May 14 with the following information: name, e-mail, phone number, the group they represent (if any), their relationship to the University, and a general presentation topic. Speakers will be notified in advance about their order on the agenda.

CALENDAR—

May 12
7:30a.m.-6 p.m. 
Institute for Molecular Virology 2008 Symposium
"Host Cell Proteins and Replication"
Keynote Speakers: Jonathan Stoye and Sandra Weller
Location: Coffman Memorial Union, Coffman Theater

May 13
4-5:30 p.m.
First Annual Ellerbe Becket Optimal Healing Environments Lecture Series
Creating Healing Spaces: Neuroscience & Architecture
Eve Edelstein, Ph.D., University of California, San Diego
Location: Mayo Memorial Auditorium

May 20
8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
8-Hour Emergency Response Refresher
Location:  2221 University Ave SE - Room 114-116

More events like these can be found on the AHC calendar. You can submit an item to the AHC calendar by going to http://www.ahc.umn.edu/submitevent .

FACILTIES NEWS—

University of Minnesota Children¿s Hospital, Fairview breaks ground, announces changes
Now that ground has been broken on the hospital, several changes will be occurring during the next few months. Some include: A revised construction timeline, Red Ramp changes, shuttle stop relocation, East Lobby Entrance closure, valet service, and customer service updates. To learn more about these changes visit: http://www.uofmchildrenshospital.org/About/News/c_410832.asp. For questions about the construction project, e-mail rwillia1@fairview.org.

TIME CAPSULE —

What did this place used to be?
Station #12 of the old University Hospital was once captured in an artist's rendering. Can you find Station #12? Or, the painting for that matter? Find out at: http://blog.lib.umn.edu/moore144/ahcarchives/2008/05/
what_did_this_place_used_to_be_2.html.  

Want to know more about the history of your corner of the AHC? Take a picture and send it to moore144@umn.edu. Obscure entries are welcome.

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.