News Capsules 07/09/08
July 9, 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 afternoon, I joined Vice-Presidents Richard Pfutzenreuter and Kathy O’Brien, in a presentation to the Board of Regents on the Biomedical Research Program. These are exciting times for the bioscience community in our state and at the University. The development of nearly 400,000 square feet of new research space in the East Gateway District of campus is integral to a larger land use development that is being driven by developments at the University and our investments in interdisciplinary science.
As the economic engine that drives this state, the University’s commitment to advancing our core strengths in biomedical research will be the heart of an entire community that bridges discovery with commercial opportunity and a new, revitalization of a neighborhood that bridges Minneapolis and St. Paul. What may well be the largest expansion of the University campus since the West Bank and includes the new stadium, light rail transit, and renewal of our clinical facilities, this urban renewal will change the face of the University and the AHC for decades to come.
– Frank B. Cerra, M.D.
Sr. Vice President for Health Sciences
Medical Reserve Corps helping animals displaced by Iowa floods
The University of Minnesota Medical Reserve Corps has deployed teams of veterinarians and students to flood-ravaged Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to help care for displaced animals. Most of animals are domestic pets, such as cats and dogs, but some are exotic animals, such as ferrets and reptiles. Most were either abandoned or in need of temporary housing until they can be cared for again. To read more about the effort visit: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/mrc070208/index.htm
Drug curbs gambling urge
It appears the drug naltrexone – commonly used to treat alcohol addiction – may curb pathological gambling. In a recent University of Minnesota study, naltrexone helped a group of addicts significantly decrease their gambling intensity and frequency. The results were published in a recent issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. To read more about the study visit: http://www1.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories2/Alcoholism_drug_curbs_gambling_urge.html
Disturbed rest, activity linked to mortality in older men
For the first time, University of Minnesota researchers have shown that disrupted rest and activity rhythms are associated with increased mortality rates among older men. To read more about the study visit: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/disturbedrest061108/index.htm
Internet, tolerance spark change in urban gay communities
Gay communities – such as clubs, bars, events, and neighborhoods – appear to be changing worldwide in light of several key factors, including Internet dating and achievement of civil rights, according to new University of Minnesota research. To read more about the study visit: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/InternetToleranceSparkChangeinUrbanGayCommunities
/index.htm. Also download an audio clip of Simon Rosser discussing his research.
University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview opens chest pain center
The University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview has opened a chest-pain center with a toll-free dedicated nurse line (800 US HEART) – answered 24-hours a day, seven days a week. The medical center is the first heart center in the region to offer this service. The line is open to all callers with chest pain questions, especially those uncertain about whether their chest pain needs prompt attention. For more information visit: http://www.university.fairview.org/Clinical_Services/Cardiovascular/c_519728.asp.
Jean Abraham, Ph.D. (School of Public Health), has been selected as one of ten senior staff economists to serve on the President’s Council of Economic Advisers. Abraham and her fellow staff economists, as a part of the CEA, will provide the president and other government departments and agencies with the best, current academic thinking on a wide range of subjects. Read more here: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/abraham070808/home.html
David Ingbar, M.D. (Medical School), completed his term as American Thoracic Society president at the 2008 International ATS Conference in Toronto. The international society promotes research, training, and clinical care for lung, critical care, and sleep disorders.
Charles Taylor, Pharm.D. (College of Pharmacy), has been named a new senior associate dean for professional education. Taylor is currently the associate dean for professional education and clinical affairs, and the chair of pharmacy practice at St. Louis College of Pharmacy. He will begin the new position July 31.
Matt Eggebrecht, an M.H.A. graduate student (School of Public Health), has been helping manage a free clinic for poor and homeless people in south Minneapolis and working to improve efficiency at Hennepin County Medical Center. To view a video about his efforts click here: http://www.sph.umn.edu/sphere/matt/home.html
Deborah Mullen, a School of Public Health graduate student studying health services research and policy administration, was named a 2008 Juran Fellow by the Joseph M. Juran Center for Leadership in Quality at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management. The award is given to those who show promise in broadening and fueling thinking and practices in the area of quality-related research in their chosen field.
The 2008 inductees in Academy for Excellence in Health Research have been announced by the Office of Clinical Research. An award ceremony will honor the recipients in September. The winners are:
- Henry Balfour Jr., M.D. – Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical School
- Matthew Mescher, Ph.D. – Center for Immunology, Medical School
- Michael Osterholm, Ph.D., M.P.H. – Division of Environmental Health, School of Public Health
- Jean Wyman, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N., F.G.S.A. – chair of nursing research, School of Nursing
Linda Lindeke, Ph.D., R.N., C.N.P. (School of Nursing), will be the president of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners for the 2008-09 term.
Mark Nesbit Jr., M.D. (Masonic Cancer Center and Medical School), received the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Relentless for a Cure Award at the society’s 2008 Man and Woman of the Year gala on June 13.
Michael Rohrer, D.D.S., M.S. (School of Dentistry), was elected to a four-year term as North American Councilor for the International Association of Oral Pathologists. As Councilor, he will represent North American oral pathologists in the dealings of the international organization, whose mission is to improve the quality and safety of health care worldwide through the advancement of patient care, education, and research in oral and maxillofacial surgery.
College of Veterinary Medicine appoints new dean
The University of Minnesota Board of Regents officially approved the appointment of Trevor Ames, D.V.M, as dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. He has been serving as interim dean since June 2007. To read more visit: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/vetmeddean061808/index.htm
U of M is leading center in FDA approval of new generation of heart device
The University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview was among the leading centers in implanting the HeartMate II ®, a next-generation left ventricular assist device (LVAD) which was recently approved by the Federal Drug Administration as a bridge to transplant. The HeartMate II® LVAD is a mechanical circulatory support device intended for advanced-stage heart failure patients. To read more about the device visit: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/heartdevice063008/home.html
Professor leads research to manage incidental findings in human subjects research
Susan Wolf, J.D., professor and chair of the University of Minnesota’s Consortium on Law and Values in Health, Environment, & the Life Sciences, led a multidisciplinary team of national experts to develop the first published major guidelines on managing incidental findings (IFs) in human subjects research. The two-year project has now issued groundbreaking recommendations for how to anticipate and manage IFs in genetic, genomic, and imaging research, suggesting broader application to other research domains. To read more about the research visit: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/IF063008/home.html
Applications submitted to the IRB to come with a price tag
Effective immediately, all business and industry sponsored Institutional Review Board applications submitted to the IRB will be assessed a one-time initial review fee of $2,500. This is a national trend and is consistent with the policies and fees at Big Ten peer institutions. Departments should incorporate the review fee in the budget of relevant industry-sponsored research. To make the new fee clear to research sponsors, departments should refrain from referring to any other review fees they charge to sponsors as “IRB review fees.” View the new policy online at: http://www.research.umn.edu/irb/bandi.cfm. For more information contact Moira Keane at (612) 626-4851, or keane002@umn.edu.
SOD traveling abroad to learn about new oral health professional programs
A multidisciplinary contingent of School of Dentistry faculty traveled to Prince Albert, Canada in June to visit an education program for Dental Therapists at First Nations University, and plans are being made to visit similar training programs in New Zealand and England this summer and fall. The visits are in preparation for the 2009 launch of a new degree program – the first of its kind in the United States – to train mid-level dental providers for practice opportunities in Minnesota.
MeetingMaker update: login to match X.500
AHC-IS is standardizing MeetingMaker login names to match the user’s X.500 ID. If a person’s MeetingMaker login ID is something other than their X.500, they will receive a phone call or e-mail from an Information Systems representative, who will change their login ID to match the X.500. The change does not impact calendar data.
Free screenings available at Boynton
Walk-in preventive health screenings at Boynton Health Service are available on the second Wednesday of every month for UPlan members through December. The screening tests available include: cholesterol (total, HDL, LDL); blood glucose (nonfasting); body mass index and body composition; and blood pressure. Tests are available on a first-come, first-served bases at no cost. For more information visit: http://www.bhs.umn.edu/services/healthscreening.htm
Summer program to give high school students a chance to explore health careers
From July 8-10, the Health Careers Center will be hosting a three-day health career exploration experience for high school students. Students will have a chance to learn about different health careers and the academic background, personal skills, and qualities necessary to become a health care professional.
Medical Reserve Corps looking for recruits
The University of Minnesota Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) was formed in 2004 as part of a comprehensive effort to prepare for health emergencies on campus and in the community. MRC members are needed from all disciplines, backgrounds, and skill sets (clinical and non-clinical). To register with the U of M MRC, contact MRC Coordinator, Kathy Berlin, at 6-4722 or medicalreserve@umn.edu. Also visit: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/about/admin/oer/mrc/
Call for Nominations: 2009 Summit of Sages
The School of Nursing Densford Center invites nominations of a nursing leader and his/her team who have developed a revolutionary care model or practice that has shaped nursing and health care, and provided an exciting way to improve care delivery to patients or populations. Individuals may nominate one or more pairs or groups; self-nominations are welcome. The deadline is Aug. 6. For more information and a nomination form visit: http://www.nursing.umn.edu/densford. Due to server issues that occurred on July 1, the Powell Center for Women’s Health is extending the deadline for abstract submissions for the summit until Friday, July 11. For more information and to submit abstracts, please visit: www.womenshealth.umn.edu.
July 15
12-1 p.m.
Masonic Cancer Center Seminar
Pancreatic Cancer 2008: Advances and Challenges
Anirban Maitra, M.B.B.S., Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Location: Cancer Center Research Building - 450
July 23
4-5 p.m.
Transplant Conference
Pre- and Post-transplant Malignancy
E. Steve Woodle, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Location: Phillips Wangensteen Building - 11-157
July 30 – Aug. 1
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Maternal Nutrition Intensive Course
Location: Hubert H. Humphrey Center - Cowles Auditorium
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.
Follow construction of Children’s Hospital via live video
Below is a link to a new construction site with details, maps, photos, and a live Web camera showing progress as the new facility for University of Minnesota Children's Hospital, Fairview is erected. During the course of construction the site will be updated with new information: http://www.uofmchildrenshospital.org/construction/index.asp
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.
Ten rules for Med School (and five absolute truths for the rest of us)
An exceptional individual in the history of the AHC has some wise words to share. Please take a moment to learn about Dr. W. Albert “Sully” Sullivan and his ten rules for med students: http://blog.lib.umn.edu/moore144/ahcarchives/2008/06/ten_rules_for_med_school_and_5.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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