AHC News Capsules 05/30/07
May 30, 2007
NEWS CAPSULES
is a biweekly newsletter for faculty, staff, and students of the Academic Health Center. Please send submissions to Jacob Portnoy at port0179@umn.edu.
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-- Time Capsule
First, a note of thanks to all of you who responded to my "Dear Colleague" e-mail regarding the potential for a new medical school. Your thoughtful responses, offering advice and opinion are deeply appreciated. What's clear is that our community has significant interest in addressing future health care needs in a variety of ways, and that is promising.
I'd like to draw on that interest, and at the same time, share with all of you the results of our legislative efforts at the end of this fiscal year. We've reserved the Mayo Auditorium for a sort of Grand Rounds discussion, Thursday, June 28 at 7:30 a.m. So save the date, and prepare your questions.
– Frank B. Cerra, M.D.
Sr. Vice President for Health Sciences
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
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State lawmakers passed an omnibus higher education bill and an omnibus health and human services bill before adjourning the 2007 legislative session on Monday, May 21. Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed the health and human services bill, which includes funding for graduate health professional education. We expect the higher education bill will be signed by the governor. It includes one-time and ongoing funding for the University - Mayo partnership. The legislature did not pass a capital investment bill, which could have included funding to remodel 717 Delaware, or the Minnesota Biomedical Sciences Research Facilities Authority. We do not expect there to be a special session.
HEADLINES
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Fairview names new leader
Mark A. Eustis has been named president and chief executive officer of Fairview Health Services, beginning Aug. 1. Eustis will leave Ascension Health in St. Louis, Missouri, where he was president of Regional Ministry Operations. A native of Minnesota, Eustis attended the University of Minnesota, earning a bachelor's degree in business administration and a master's degree in hospital and health care administration.
U of M will lead national research study on causes of bone cancer in children
Logan Spector, Ph.D., a Cancer Center researcher, has received a $1.7 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to lead the largest and most comprehensive study to date on the causes of pediatric osteosarcoma. Osteosarcoma is a cancer of the bone that usually affects the long bones of the arm or leg.
College of Veterinary Medicine moves up in U.S. News & World Report rankings
CVM moved from 11th to 10th in U.S. News & World Report's 2008 rankings. The magazine's rankings of health programs are the result of assessments by program directors and faculty. They are compiled every four years.
Three members of the AHC community will receive the President's Award for Outstanding Service. Presented each spring, the award 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.
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John O. Look, senior research associate, School of Dentistry
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Melissa Hansen, community program specialist / research coordinator, Cancer Center
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Joycelyn Dorscher, M.D., director, Center of American Indian and Minority Health, and assistant professor, Department of Family Medicine, Medical School , Duluth Campus
Norma Ramsay, M.D., to receive first annual Relentless for a Cure Award
The award, presented by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, is given to an outstanding Minnesota medical professional for contributions and accomplishments in the field of blood cancer. Ramsay, a professor emeritus in the Department of Pediatrics, will be honored at the Man & Woman of the Year Grand Finale Gala, June 15, in Golden Valley.
David Ingbar, M.D., Elected President of the American Thoracic Society
The American Thoracic Society is an 18,000 member professional organization that promotes research, training, and clinical care for lung, critical care, and sleep disorders. Ingbar is a professor of Medicine, Physiology, and Pediatrics, director of the Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Division, and executive director of the Center for Lung Science and Health.
New University of Minnesota Children 's Hospital, Fairview
Design
Plans for the new facility are in the schematic design phase. User groups, including front line nurses and staff, will assist in determining the layout of each care area. Architects will use these recommendations when drafting floor plans.
Mock-up rooms
A pediatric medicine / surgery / blood and marrow transplant mock-up room has been built on the tunnel level of the Masonic Cancer Center. Days and hours of operation will be announced soon. Comments and feedback will be encouraged. A pediatric intensive care unit mock-up will be built soon.
Current timeline
- Schematic design and Board approval - Fall 2007
- Groundbreaking - Winter 2007
- Construction completed - Fall 2010
- Children's hospital move-in - Winter 2010
Keep your data secure - encrypt your laptop
A new AHC standard requires private data be encrypted on all AHC laptop computers. If you haven't done so already, please call the AHC-IS helpline at 612-626-5100 to schedule an appointment for your laptop encryption.
Research Hotline Available
The Fairview Research Administration has a hotline established for patient or staff questions pertaining to research. Frequently asked questions include patients or staff who have concerns about their participation in research or patients who have questions regarding a bill they have received for a research-related procedure or test. Call the hotline at 612-672-7692 or toll free at 866-508-6961.
AHC History Project receives valuable donation
The papers of Robert J. Gorlin were recently donated by his family to the collections of University Archives through the AHC History Project. This valuable collection includes research notes, drafts of publications, video recordings of lectures and photographs. Gorlin, who passed away last summer at the age of 83, was a Regents Professor in the School of Dentistry and held joint appointments in the Medical School. For more information on the AHC History Project, go to http://blog.lib.umn.edu/moore144/ahcarchives. To see a sample from the archives and share your knowledge about the AHC's past, go to Time Capsule at the bottom of this newsletter.
"Genes and the Environment: The Emerging Role of Genomics in Public Health"
The next SPH Roundtable Series will be held 8:30 a.m.-noon, Friday, June 8, in room 2-206 at Carlson School of Management. The keynote address will be by Muin Khoury, the first director of the Center for Disease Control's national Office of Public Health Genomics. For more information, go to http://cpheo.sph.umn.edu.
"Who? Me?! Conflict of Interest: Perception vs. Reality"
The next University Forum on Research and Professional Ethics is Wednesday, June 6, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m., at Ben Pomeroy Student-Alumni Learning Center, room 215. Join Richard W. Bianco for a presentation on conflict of interest followed by discussion of the outside relationships that impact research and scholarship in your field. For more information go to: http://www.research.umn.edu/events/research_ethics.html.
"Beyond Checklists: Developing and Implementing Business Plans for Pandemic Influenza"
The next CIDRAP Business Source interactive webinar will be held Friday, June 15, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. A free viewing will be available for University staff, faculty and students at 5-125 Moos Tower. Topics include the current level of threat to businesses from pandemic influenza and strategies to test pandemic plans, including tabletop and functional exercises. For more information, go to https://events.tc.umn.edu/event.pl?eid=117007.
CAPS Informational Sessions
The University's mentored clinical research scholars program (CAPS) is designed for senior fellows and junior faculty to develop an academic career in clinical research. This program emphasizes a team approach in mentoring and multidisciplinary training. All schools in the AHC, other departments that conduct clinical research, and affiliated institutions are eligible to apply for awards, which include 75 percent salary support, research funds, and other benefits. For more details, attend an information session.
- June 8, noon-1 p.m., Mayo A301
- June 29, 9-10 a.m., Mayo A301
Explore myths about women in science
Graduate Women in Science is hosting a national conference "Women Scientists in Leadership Roles" June 13-17 at the University's Continuing Education & Conference Center in St. Paul. In addition to looking at myths, the conference will examine how leadership roles in education, academia, and the community can enhance the achievement of women in science. For more information, go to http://www.gwis.org/86th_meeting/info.htm.
Conference on development of transposon tools for genetic applications
The fifth annual International Conference on Transposition and Animal Biotechnology will be held June 21-22 at the McNamara Alumni Center. The meeting will explore the use of transposons for gene discovery and gene transfer. Session topics include transposon biology, gene therapy, animal biotechnology, and gene discovery. The goal of this conference is to serve as a key forum for information exchange and development of transposon tools for genetic applications from functional genomics to molecular medicine. For more information go to http://beckmancenter.ahc.umn.edu.
Connect with the med-tech industry for advances in neuromodulation
LifeScience Alley has joined with the University's Office of Clinical Research to launch an educational partnership. The first in this Breakthrough Series is "Neuromodulation: Advancing Our Med-Tech Edge." The day-and-a-half conference is June 4-5, at the University's Continuing Education and Conference Center in St. Paul. For more information, go to http://www.ahc.umn.edu/ocr/events/breakthroughseries/.
Join the race against childhood cancer
Bring your family and friends to the fifth annual Time to Fly Walk/Run on Saturday, June 23, on Harriet Island in St. Paul. This family event offers something for everyone from the recreational walker to the competitive runner. All proceeds benefit the Children's Cancer Research Fund, which supports cutting-edge pediatric cancer research at the University's Cancer Center. To register or for more information, go to: www.ccrftimetofly.com.
Sex Ed and the State
See a documentary about sex education in public schools created by School of Public Health student Jim Winkle. In the film, Minnesota lawmakers, advocates, opponents, educators and others debate the best strategy to fight adolescent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. The documentary will be screened Thursday, June 7, 7 p.m., at Oak Street Cinema in Minneapolis.
FACILITIES NEWS
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Oxygen system work
Crews will be working on the oxygen system in Moos Tower, Phillips Wagensteen and the Masonic Building on June 5. No loss of oxygen is expected during the work. In case of immediate concerns or loss of oxygen service, please call Facilities Maintenance at 612-624-2900.
TCF Bank Stadium construction update
New Huron Boulevard now open
The new section of Huron Boulevard connects directly to 23rd Avenue Southeast at University Avenue. The old section of Huron Boulevard slightly to the west is closed.
Portion of transit way closing
The section of the transit way between Oak Street and 23rd Avenue Southeast will close permanently on Monday, June 4. Campus busses will be re-routed around the stadium site via Sixth Street and 23rd Avenue, Southeast Bus shelters and bike lockers will be relocated on Friday June 1. Bicyclists who use this section of the transit way should use 23rd Avenue and Sixth Street instead.
Notice vibrations? Make a call
Crews will be compacting soil west of Lions Research Building as a part of the parking lot construction process. If you notice any vibration in CMRR, please call 612-624-0616 immediately.
New parking lot map available
The new parking lot for the Lions Research Building and McGuire Translation Research Facility has an entrance at the intersection of Oak Street and Sixth Street. Pick up a map showing the changes at the LRB/MRT information desk.
For the latest stadium construction updates, go to http://www1.umn.edu/stadium/construction.html.
TIME CAPSULE
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Help identify these photos
These photographs, found in AHC Office of Communications records, show that history isn't as serious as it sometimes seems. The original photographs are not dated and list only the last names of the individuals pictured. Any additional information that can be provided will be appreciated. Please contact Erik Moore, AHC Archivist at moore144@umn.edu. To view the photos, go to http://blog.lib.umn.edu/moore144/ahcarchives/2007/04/mystery_photographs.html.
AHC News Capsules is a biweekly newsletter for faculty, staff, and students of the Academic Health Center. Please send submissions to Jacob Portnoy at port0179@umn.edu.
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