News Capsules 06/05/08
June 5, 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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The calendar says we’ve moved into the summer months, but the weather seems to suggest otherwise. Regardless, this issue of News Capsules marks the first of our monthly summer issues, cutting back from the every-other-week schedule during the traditional school year. That doesn’t mean, however, that the work of the Academic Health Center will actually slow down this summer.
High on the list of activity is the July 1 transition to the new Enterprise Financial System, which is connected to PeopleSoft. The AHC and each of its schools have been preparing for this new financial system for more than year – with the launch of extensive training this April. All of our deans and their administrative teams have engaged in developing new business processes that will replace what we’ve known as the “CUFS” system. Yes, CUFS is going away. We hope the new system will have a smooth and functional start, but please be kind to your financial staff as they encounter inevitable challenges with this transition.
One suggestion from our CFO Beth Nunnally is that if you anticipate needing supplies in July or even August, pre-order them now to avoid predictable delays in processing this summer. Finally, please make note that this new system will not support telephone orders. After July 1, please work with your finance staff to order supplies directly online, or with a University purchasing card, with the goal of making our University procurement and payment processes more efficient and cost-effective.
Increasing administrative efficiencies is a critical University service goal that is essential to our future success – one of the issues I’ll discuss at 3 p.m. Wednesday, June 11 in Mayo Auditorium (see below for more details).
– Frank B. Cerra, M.D.
Sr. Vice President for Health Sciences
U of M sets course for cure of fatal childhood skin disease
Physicians at the University of Minnesota and University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital, Fairview have set the path to a cure for a young boy’s fatal genetic skin disease, recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), by using a cord blood and bone marrow transplant. Nate Liao, a 25-month-old from Clarksburg, N.J., underwent the experimental therapy in October 2007.
“We have established a new standard of care for these EB patients, beginning with Nate,” said John Wagner, M.D., the lead University of Minnesota Medical School physician who developed the clinical trial. “Nate’s quality of life is forever changed.”
For more information about the disease, to learn more about clinical trials for patients, and to view an informational video visit: www.ahc.umn.edu/eb
Parents who encourage teens to diet may lead to weight gain years later
University of Minnesota School of Public Health researchers found that parents who accurately perceived their teens as overweight were still unlikely to help them engage in healthy eating and exercise behaviors. In fact, many of these parents encouraged dieting, which predicted poorer weight outcomes for their teen five years later. To learn more about the study visit: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/teenoverweight060208/index.htm
National Center for Food Protection and Defense hosts exercise on food protection
Fifty participants from Japan, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States attended a three-day exercise on food supply protection hosted by the National Center for Food Protection and Defense last week. The exercise aimed to strengthen coordination, cooperation, and communication between G8 nations in the event of an intentional attack on the food supply. The Group of Eight (G8) is an international forum for the governments of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Researchers show natural human protein has capacity to kill AIDS virus HIV-1
University of Minnesota HIV researchers have discovered that a natural human protein called APOBEC3G has the capacity to kill the AIDS virus HIV-1. Many studies during the past six years have investigated APOBEC3G and related human proteins, but the research published in Current Biology proves that this protein is as good at inhibiting HIV-1 as any synthetic drugs used for treatment. The DNA-mutating activity of APOBEC3G is crucial for this anti-HIV effect. To learn more about the study visit: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/HIV052208/home.html
Eric Stafne, D.D.S., M.S.D. (School of Dentistry), has received the 2008 American Academy of Periodontology Outstanding Teaching and Mentoring in Periodontics Award. The award is given to a periodontal educator at each dental school in the United States who has demonstrated a commitment to excellence in providing education in the full scope of clinical periodontics and relaying that enthusiasm to students.
Bradley Carlin, Ph.D., M.S. (School of Public Health), has received SPH’s highest teaching honor, the Leonard M. Schuman Award for Excellence in Teaching. Carlin teaches courses in spatial biostatistics and Bayesian analysis.
Marc K. Jenkins, Ph.D. (Medical School), was elected as Councilor of the American Association for Immunology. He’ll serve four years beginning July 1, 2008. Jenkins is a McKnight Distinguished Professor of Microbiology and associate director of the Center for Immunology.
Diane Treat Jacobson, Ph.D. (School of Nursing), has been awarded the Jeanne E. Doyle Award by the Society of Vascular Nursing – this is the highest honor given by the society. The Society for Vascular Nursing is a not-for-profit international association dedicated to promoting excellence in the compassionate and comprehensive management of persons with vascular disease.
Jerry Sedgewick (Medical School), published a new book, Scientific Imaging with Photoshop: Measurement and Output, and it is available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and other bookstore outlets. It is only the second published book that addresses the subject of Photoshop in science, and more specifically, digital imaging.
Seaquist earns distinguished honor in women’s health
Elizabeth Seaquist, M.D., (Medical School), was selected as a member of the 2008-09 class of fellows for the Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) Program for Women. ELAM offers an intensive one-year program of leadership training, with extensive coaching, networking, and mentoring opportunities. Its primary goal is to prepare senior women faculty at schools of medicine, dentistry, and public health to become institutional leaders in their field and effect positive change.
Bruininks recovering after pulmonary embolism
University of Minnesota President Robert Bruininks is recovering in Washington state from the pulmonary embolism he experienced on vacation. He is not hospitalized and will be headed back to Minnesota as soon as he is cleared for travel. For more information visit: http://www1.umn.edu/urelate/newsservice/NS_details.php?release=080530_3566&page=NS.
Academy for Excellence honors award recipients
The inaugural AHC Academy for Excellence in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning inducted its nominees on Tuesday, May 20. The honorees were selected by faculty from Research I universities that also have experience in the field of teaching and learning scholarship. Award recipients were recognized for their commitment to teaching and student learning through innovation, creativity, and dissemination of scholarly works.
The two 2008 faculty honorees were:
- Michael C. Brown, Pharm.D., associate professor, College of Pharmacy
- Nelson L. Rhodus, D.M.D., M.P.H., professor, School of Dentistry
To learn more about the AHC Academy for Excellence in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning and the award recipients, please refer to the AHC website: www.ahceducation.umn.edu/academy.
Center for Animal Health and Food Safety hosts “One Health” workshop
Nearly 50 attendees from higher education, private industry, commodity groups, government, and non-profit associations participated in a “Global One Health” workshop, “Embracing the Interdependence of Animals, Humans, and the Environment,” sponsored by the Center for Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS) at McNamara Alumni Center May 14. Supporters of the One Health initiative urge greater understanding of where risk exists globally and recognition of the next threat. Workshop presenters revealed that 13 of the last 14 human health epidemics came from animal species.
Beginning June 16, EpiCH shuttle route and schedule will change
The new schedule will be as follows: Shuttle will leave from EpiCH at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. It will leave from Mayo at 9:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. The regular schedule will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 2.
Also, starting with the summer schedule change, the pick-up/drop-off point on the East Bank will be changing. Instead of stopping in the cul-de-sac in front of the Mayo Building, the pick-up/drop-off point will be on the westside (back) of the Mayo building, just off of Church Street. This route change is permanent.
First biomedical research recognition day kicks-off with success
The first annual Biomedical Sciences Research Recognition Day was held May 27 at the McNamara Alumni Center. About 150 graduate students and 45 faculty members from across the five biomedical science doctoral programs in the Medical School and the College of Biological Sciences were brought together to discuss their research. Also in attendance were representatives of several biotechnology companies.
The 2008 winners of the Beatrice Z. Milne and Theodore Brandenburg Award for excellence in graduate student research gave oral presentations of their work. This year’s awardees were: Garret Anderson, pharmacology; Andrea Daniel, pharmacology; Steve Davidson, neuroscience; Nien-Pei Tsai, pharmacology; and Petter Woll, microbiology, immunology, and cancer biology. Genetics, cell biology and development graduate student Veronica Descotte received the award for best poster presentation. Matt Scholz, University alum from 3M, gave the keynote address, “Imagination, Invention, and Innovation: What Childish Behavior.”
Eustis to be featured speaker at Carlson School event
Fairview CEO Mark Eustis will be the featured speaker at the Carlson School of Management First Tuesday event from 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. on July 1. Registration is available at http://www.csom.umn.edu/page3296.aspx?ShowEvent=108288&
calendar_display=Event&copid=26758&display=22
“The Demand for Creative Approaches as We Compete for Our Future”
Join Senior Vice President for Health Sciences Frank B. Cerra, M.D., for the Academic Health Center’s fiscal year wrap-up from 3-4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11, in the Mayo Auditorium. People can watch via Web cast on the Duluth campus in Room 165, on the St. Paul campus at 215 Ben Pomeroy Student-Alumni Learning Center, and on the Rochester campus in Room 397.
Summer program to give high school students a chance to explore health careers
On June 10-12 and July 8-10 the Health Careers Center will be hosting a three-day health career exploration experience for high school students. During the event, about 100 students will have the chance to learn about different health careers through a variety of experiences. Students will discover the academic background, personal skills, and qualities necessary to become a health care professional.
SON to host forum on health care reform
The School of Nursing is co-sponsoring a forum on health care reform that is being taped by Twin Cities Public Television for broadcast and delayed Web cast. Other sponsors are AARP, the University of Minnesota Academic Health Center, and the Mayo Center for Health Policy. Dean Connie Delaney will be part of a panel highlighting innovative programs that have been developed by nurses to meet today's challenging health care demands. SON invites people to a taping of this broadcast and a discussion with speakers following the taping. The event will be 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 10, in the Mayo Memorial Auditorium.
AHC faculty invited to attend scientific symposium on imaging and medicine
The symposium will be held at the University of Minnesota in conjunction with the 44th meeting of the United States-Japan Cooperative Medical Science Program from 1-5:30 p.m., Monday, June 16, 2008, in the A.I. Johnson Room on the McNamara Alumni Center, Twin Cities East Bank campus. The symposium is free and open to the public, but registration is required. For more information please go to: http://www.med.umn.edu/microbiology/symposium/
Forums to educate on UMore Park and Vermillion Highlands
Two upcoming campus forums will provide opportunities for University faculty, staff, and students to learn more about UMore Park and Vermillion Highlands and view concept planning scenarios. The event will be on the Minneapolis campus at 9:30 a.m., Monday, June 16, at Coffman Memorial Union, and on the St. Paul campus at 12 p.m., Tuesday, June 17, at the Student Center’s North Star Ballroom. For more information or to participate in the forums live via UMConnect, visit: www.umorepark.umn.edu or call 612-626-3798.
“Opening Doors: Minorities in Medicine”
Levi Watkins, M.D., professor of cardiac surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, pioneer in surgery, and human rights activist, will be the special guest speaker at the event slated for 4 p.m., Wednesday, June 25 in the Mayo Auditorium. Selwyn Vickers, M.D., chair of the Medical School Department of Surgery and Deborah Powell, M.D., dean of the Medical School, will also speak. Refreshments will be provided after the talks. For more information call Elaine at 612-626-4366.
June 12
4-5 p.m.
Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine and Center for Lung Science and Health Seminar Series
Fellows’ Research Updates
Andrew Stiehm and Wajajat Khalil
Location: Dwan Variety Club Cardiovascular Research - 114
June 20 - June 22
8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Minnesota Equine Dental Symposium
Fundamentals of Equine Dentistry
Location: Pomeroy Student-Alumni Learning Center - Room 213
June 27
3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Dermatology Education Conferences
Leg Ulcers
Mark Davis, M.D., Professor, Mayo Clinic Department of Dermatology, Rochester, MN
Location: Phillips Wangensteen Building - Room 4-274
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.
Stay up to date on Central Corridor
For the latest updates and information about the University of Minnesota Central Corridor Light Rail, please visit: http://www.lightrail.umn.edu/.
Summer to bring plenty of road work and facility repairs, may impact travel
To get the latest updates on roadwork, construction projects, and other facility repairs visit: http://www.pts.umn.edu. For stadium construction updates visit: http://www1.umn.edu/stadium/construction.php.
An Evening at the Veterinary Medical Center
Often the AHC is not only a workplace, but also many employees’ health care provider. It’s also where many people’s pets seek medical care. Learn more about the history of clinical services provided by the College of Veterinary Medicine at: http://blog.lib.umn.edu/moore144/ahcarchives/2008/06/an_evening_at_the_veterinary_m.html.
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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