News Capsules 10/8/08
Oct. 8, 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.
Jump to:
News
-- Headlines
People
Announcements
-- Updates
-- Opportunities
-- Calendar
-- Facilities News
-- Time Capsule
It’s certainly never boring here in the University’s Academic Health Center. As we live through a period of intense uncertainty surrounding the economy, the robustness of our activity on campus is at full steam. In the past week alone, we welcomed former Vice President Mondale to campus to speak to a full Mayo Auditorium on the politics of health care. We joined our colleagues in the Alumni Association to honor the legislative champions of the Biomedical Research Program buildings. We’re hosting a visit from key members of the Indian Council of Medical Research – India’s NIH – as we pursue a more robust presence in that country. And I had a meaningful opportunity to celebrate the inauguration of the Global Food System Initiative with our partners at Cargill.
Despite the chaos of economic institutions, and the heated slings of the political season, this campus remains a source of promise and potential - All of this activity is a tribute to the creativity of our faculty and staff, the leadership of our deans, and frankly, the excitement of being on a campus where excellent discoveries happen daily.
Keep moving forward.
– Frank B. Cerra, M.D.
Sr. Vice President for Health Sciences
Taylor Driven to Discover ad debuts on Minnesota television networks
Doris Taylor, Ph.D., director of the Center for Cardiovascular Repair – who reanimated a dead rat heart to start beating again – is one of four University of Minnesota researchers (and the only one from the AHC) being featured in the Driven to Discover advertising campaign. The television commercials will play on local affiliates WCCO, KSTP, NBC, and FOX during the morning and evening news, and a few will run during prime time. To watch the ad and learn more about Taylor’s research, visit: http://www1.umn.edu/twincities
/index.php?research
SON expands doctor of nursing practice program
To meet the emerging needs and opportunities in health care, the School of Nursing is expanding its doctor of nursing practice (D.N.P.) program. The program provides nurses with expertise in health care ranging from nurse anesthesia, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwifery, health care administration, health policy, and now informatics, and integrative health. In total, this brings the number of D.N.P. specialty areas to 14. To read more, visit: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/
nursing100108/home.html
Researchers discover thyroid hormone speeds clearance of lung edema fluid
A recent study conducted by researchers in the Medical School and Center for Lung Science and Health demonstrated that thyroid hormone (T3) rapidly facilitates the removal of fluid that can flood the airspaces of the lung. This new use of the hormone holds particular promise for patients suffering from pulmonary edema that occurs in association with heart failure and with acute lung injury or acute respiratory distress syndrome, a life-threatening condition for which there is no current established treatment. To read more, visit: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/
lungedema093008/home.html
David Guay, Pharm.D. (College of Pharmacy), is the recipient of the 2008 George F. Archambault Award, the highest honor of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists. It is conferred in recognition of outstanding contributions to consultant and senior care pharmacy practice.
Roger Feldman, Ph.D., M.S. (School of Public Health), testified before the Health Subcommittee of the United States House Ways and Means Committee on the tax treatment of health insurance premiums on Sept. 23. On Oct. 7 he briefed congressional staff on “How to Fix Medicare – Let’s Pay Patients, Not Physicians” He presented the same talk, based on the book he wrote, to the assistant secretary for planning and evaluation at the Department of Health and Human Services.
Steven Patterson, Ph.D. (Center for Drug Design), has been awarded a three-year, $3.5 million grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. This is a second NIH grant based upon his continuing research involving the development of a drug against cyanide poisoning.
Brian Rodrigues and his mentor Sergio Gonzales (College of Veterinary Medicine) were honored by the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities. The council recognized 10 innovative employers that provide direct employment to someone with a development disability year round. The council chose Rodrigues and Gonzales from the CVM’s Veterinary Medical Center from 45 nominations. To read more about the award, visit: http://www.cvm.umn.edu/newsandevents/
GCDDaward.html.
John Kersey, M.D. (Medical School), received the 2008 Charles Bolles Bolles-Rogers award yesterday. The award is given to a physician who, in the opinion of the members of the selection committee, by reason of his/her professional contribution on the basis of medical research, achievement or leadership, has become the outstanding physician of this and other years.
Jordan Dunitz, M.D., Daniel Weisdorf, M.D., and David Sutherland, M.D. (Medical School), received Medical Staff Awards for clinical care (Dunitz), clinical innovation (Weisdorf), and clinical scholar/research (Sutherland) at the Medical Staff Awards event presented by the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview and University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital, Fairview yesterday.
AHC Faculty Forum: “Myth Busters: Fostering Interprofessional Scholarship”
The AHC faculty forum is scheduled from 1- 4:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 16, in Coffman Union. Registration is required. For more information and to register, visit: www.ahc.umn.edu/faculty/scholarship
U of M – LifeScience Alley Breakthrough Series: “Frontiers in Heart Failure”
This event takes place 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Oct. 27, at the Continuing Education and Conference Center on the St. Paul campus. The heart-themed day will feature presentations about academic research, cardiac remodeling and heart failure, and advanced and emerging therapies. Sixteen leading researchers and speakers from the University of Minnesota are confirmed to speak for this full-day program. View the agenda or register now.
Nominations for “Scholarship of Teaching and Learning” being accepted
Candidates for the Academy of Excellence in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning are now being accepted by the AHC Faculty Consultative Committee. The Academy is the highest recognition of excellence in the AHC educational mission and recognizes faculty for dissemination of their scholarly work in teaching and learning, contributions to developing a culture of learning through creativity in teaching and their sustained commitment to quality education. The deadline for nomination dossiers is Nov. 28, 2008.
“Teaching With Technology Tuesdays” program series to debut
Learn to use various types of technology better in work and in teaching during the new “Teaching with Technology Tuesdays” series. The program runs at 7:30 a.m. on Oct. 21, Nov. 18, and Dec. 16 in the AHC Learning Commons (535 Diehl Hall). Staff from the AHC Learning Commons and Bio-Medical Library will be on hand to help answer questions and give demonstrations such as enhancing PowerPoint with video/graphics, utilizing UMConnect, and teaching to give feedback at a distance. Attendees are encouraged to bring questions. Coffee will be served.
Lunch & Learn to showcase U of M’s technologies
This new technology series will cover topics such as “Why Use MyU,” “iTunesU,” and “My Library from Everywhere.” The program runs 12:15-1:00 p.m. in 1-450 Moos on Oct. 13 and 30, Nov. 12 and 25, and Dec. 10.
SON health care debate to air on public television
Minnesota Innovations: Moving the National Debate on Health Care Reform Forward was held in June 2008 at the University of Minnesota and is now being aired on Twin Cities Public Television, channel 17, on Oct. 18 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 2 at 6 p.m. The event was co-hosted by the Academic Health Center, School of Nursing, AARP Minnesota, and the Mayo Clinic, to raise awareness nationally about the issues of health care and financial security. To see the segment, visit: http://www.mnchannel.org/video
_archive.php?video_id=22,
Legislative network seeking members
University allies sent more than 2,800 letters to their elected officials last year, with the help of online tools provided by the U’s Legislative Network. The efforts may have contributed to the passage of the $292 million Minnesota Biomedical Research Program and $105.2 million in U of M infrastructure support. Those interested in demonstrating the value and relevance of the U to state legislators are encouraged to join. Visit www.supporttheu.umn.edu for details.
“Hot Topics in Health” – Mini Medical School Fall 2008
Topics for this five-week series will include: pandemic flu; food and water safety; battlefield medicine; the science of stem cells; forensic pathology; ethical situations in natural disasters; and, clinical trials. The program runs Mondays, 6-8:30 p.m., Oct. 13-Nov. 10 in the Coffman Union Theatre. For more information, visit: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/outreach/minimed.
Health care experts to discuss reform at Humphrey Institute
Health care industry and policy leaders discuss health care reform, 12:30-2:00 p.m., Oct. 15. “Health Care Reform – Building Momentum for Change,” takes place in Cowles Auditorium at the Humphrey Institute on the University of Minnesota campus. The public is invited to attend this free forum. Panelists will include David Durenberger, chair of the National Institute of Health Policy; Tim Penny, former congressman and member of the Mayo Clinic Health Care Symposium Advisory Panel; Dave Olson, president of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce; and Nancy Feldman, president and chief executive officer of UCare.
Safety show scheduled for research labs
The Department of Environmental Health and Safety, Fisher Scientific, and UStores are sponsoring a safety show for research labs from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Oct. 14, at the Cargill Building on the St. Paul Campus. New safety equipment and disposables will be on display. There will be free samples, pizza, prizes, and safety seminars throughout the day. Topics to be discussed will include: DEHS review process of IACUC protocols, disinfection, biological risk assessment, dry ice update training, and blood-borne pathogen annual refresher training. For more information visit: www.dehs.umn.edu.
“Cancer U: Ask the Experts”
Cancer U: Ask the Experts events provide an opportunity for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and others interested in learning more about the disease to get accurate information about emerging trends in cancer diagnosis and treatment from University researchers and physicians. Four sessions this fall run from 6-8 p.m., Thursdays Oct. 23 and 30, at Fairview Maple Grove Medical Center; and Nov, 6 and 13, at Radisson University Hotel in Minneapolis. For more information about the event, speakers, and to register, visit this Web site.
Second Annual Bakken Symposium slated to spotlight cardiac valves
The Second Annual Bakken Surgical Device Symposium, spotlighting cardiac valves, takes place Dec. 8-9. This program will explore early innovations and current practice with an eye to future developments in cardiac valve design and technique. For more information, to register, and to view a complete schedule, visit: http://www.lifesciencealley.org/
programs_events/detail.aspx?id=225
Medical School – Duluth Campus, kicks-off Women’s Mentoring Program
The Duluth Women's Mentoring Program has scheduled its initial 2008-09 program. Visiting scientist Deepali Sachdev, Ph.D., Department of Medicine, Masonic Cancer Center in the Twin Cities will be the speak at the Duluth Campus on Oct. 20. Click here for more information
and to view other scheduled events.
Oct. 14
2 – 5 p.m.
Health Careers Fair 2008: Explore Academic Pathways to a Health Career
Location: Coffman Memorial Union - Great Room
Oct. 16
12 – 1 p.m.
Bio-Medical Library Classes
What is Web 2.0? Discovering the Participatory Web
Nicole Theis-Mahon/Martha Hardy
Location: Diehl Hall - Room 555
Oct. 18 - Oct. 19
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Continuing Medical Education - Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder: Clinical and Family Perspectives
Nicki Crick, Ph.D.; Perry D. Hoffman, Ph.D
Location: Off Campus - Embassy Suites, Minneapolis
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.
Steam service to be shut off for 24 hours to many AHC buildings
Steam service will be shut off for up to 24 hours as facilities management extends utility service to the East Gateway District. The project will connect the new deep steam tunnel to the existing campus distribution system. The shutoff will take place from 7 p.m. on Friday Oct. 10, until 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct 11. During the outage, buildings will not have steam supported hot water, comfort cooling, radiator heat, or cleaning equipment such as autoclaves, sterilizers, or cagewashers.
Buildings impacted for the full 24 hours will include: Diehl Hall, Masonic Cancer Center, Middlebrook Hall (16 hours), Moos Tower, Pattee Hall, Phillips-Wangensteen Building, VFW Cancer Research Center, and Weaver-Densford Hall.
Masonic Cancer Hospital celebrates 50th anniversary
On Saturday, Oct. 4th, the Academic Health Center and the Masonic Grand Lodge of Minnesota celebrated the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Masonic Memorial Cancer Hospital. Look through the 1958 dedication booklet and learn more about the establishment of the hospital at: http://blog.lib.umn.edu/moore144/ahcarchives/
2008/10/masonic_cancer_hospital_50th_a.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.
|
