AHC News Capsules 08/24/06
News
People
Announcements
-- Professional Meetings
-- Opportunities
-- Resources
-- Of Special Interest
“In this last News Capsules of the summer, I’m struck by the accomplishments of our faculty. Scroll through to see the names noted and honors received -- and take a moment to reflect on the remarkable colleagues we work with in this institution.”
– Frank B. Cerra
The AHC Academy of Excellence in Health Research has named its 2006 inductees. They are Aaron Folsom of the School of Public Health, and Stephen Hecht, Harry Orr and James White (all of the Medical School). This honor serves as the highest recognition of excellence in AHC faculty research. Each inductee is recognized for contributing to the quality of the University through sustained, nationally and internationally recognized health-related research.
This fall, the School of Public Health will offer a Master of Healthcare Administration degree program at University of Minnesota Rochester. This program is the first offering that was requested and financially supported by legislative funding acquired by the Rochester Higher Education Development Committee. UMR is on track to become a “destination campus” with focused academic programs in health sciences, biotechnology and technology. Five new programs are available at UMR this fall, and five more are planned for fall 2007. For more information, see http://www.ur.umn.edu/unsreleases/find.php?ID=3168&from=umnnews.
A University research team, co-led by Doris Taylor, Medical School, robotically implanted muscle-generating stem cells into damaged pigs’ hearts. The procedure was minimally invasive and took place in the Experimental Surgery Services labs. Subsequent MRI studies showed the iron-tagged cells engrafted successfully and improved heart function. “In people with heart failure, open surgery can be risky; finding a minimally invasive technique to deliver cell therapy to the damaged cardiac tissue would reduce the risk to patients,” said Taylor.
This year, the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview ranked among the top 50 hospitals in the country in 11 specialties: cancer; digestive disorders; ear, nose and throat; endocrinology; gynecology; heart and heart surgery; kidney disease; neurology and neurosurgery; orthopedics; respiratory disorders; and urology.
On June 29, Abhi Humar, Medical School
, performed a liver transplant on a 28-year-old man. This surgery marked the 10,000th organ transplant at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview. "It's a tremendous achievement for the program," said Humar. "Now, with more living donors coming forward, we can shorten the waiting list even more for people in need."
President George W. Bush honored fourth-year medical student David Jewison with the President’s Volunteer Service Award on August 22 for his service in the Gulf Coast following Katrina. Jewison is a volunteer with the University of Minnesota Medical Reserve Corps.
In its latest fax to members of Congress, the American Hospital Association cited Fairview Health Services for its programs for helping people of all ages deal with loss.
Jeff Klausner, College of Veterinary Medicine, received the President's Award at the American Veterinary Medical Association convention in Honolulu July 15-19.
Jeff Bender, College of Veterinary Medicine, received the American Veterinary Epidemiology Society Award.
Marguerite Pappaioanoa, School of Public Health, received the Karl F. Meyer-James H. Steele Gold Head Cane Award for achievements that significantly advanced human health through the practice of veterinary epidemiology and public health.
David Nordstrom, Medical School, was awarded a Fulbright Scholar grant to lecture at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy in Kyiv, Ukraine, during the 2006-2007 academic year.
Deanna Mills was named interim executive director of the University of Minnesota’s Community-University Health Care Center (CUHCC) Clinic. She previously served as the clinic’s administrative director.
Theodore Thompson, Medical School, recently received the University’s President’s Award for Outstanding Service. Thompson, who joined the faculty in 1969 and developed the Newborn Intensive Care Unit, was recognized as “a leader who serves tirelessly in his commitment to collaboration and quality.”
Peter Mitchell, School of Nursing, was elected to serve a four-year term on the American Nurses Association Congress on Nursing Practice and Economics.
Iris Borowsky, Medical School, is one of 48 women faculty selected to be in the 2006-2007 class of ELAM fellows. ELAM (Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine) is the only national program dedicated to preparing senior women faculty for leadership at academic health centers.
Larissa Minicucci is the new veterinary/public health program director. She will oversee the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine/Master of Public Health program. Minicucci recently completed a two-year assignment at the CDC as an epidemic intelligence service (EIS) officer.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Academic Health Center and Mayo Clinical Trial Services are sponsoring a conference: "Current Issues in Clinical Research: Latest Trends in Clinical Research" October 4–5 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The program will cover the latest on pharmacovigilance, genomics and proteomics, principles of good clinical practice, and teamwork in clinical research. A nationally prominent faculty has been assembled. More information and the registration form can be found at:
www.mayocts.com/education/conferences
The University of Minnesota Cancer Center will host the President’s Cancer Panel on “Promoting Healthy Lifestyles to Reduce the Risk of Cancer” Monday, September 11, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the University’s Cancer Center, Room 450. The meeting is open to the public. For more information, contact Karen Parker at klparker@mail.nih.gov or call 301-451-9462.
The 3rd Annual Women’s Health Research Conference is Monday, September 11, in the McNamara Alumni Center. Susan Wood, former assistant commissioner for the Office of Women's Health at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), will give the keynote address, “Women’s Health, Emergency Contraception and the FDA.” Dr. Wood stepped down from her post last August because of the FDA's refusal to approve Plan B (emergency contraception) as an over-the-counter product. For more information go to
http://www.womenshealth.umn.edu/wmhlth/profed/upcoming2/2006research.html
.
The 22nd Alumni Institute will be September 29-30 at the Radisson University Hotel. All AHC faculty, staff and students are invited on a "space available" basis. Advance registration is required and early registration is encouraged. For more information contact Dave PeKarna at pekar001@umn.edu or call 612-625-1321 or 888-642-2586. To review the program and to register for this event, go to http://www.hpm.umn.edu/mha/alumni/inst2006/index.htm.
A CAPS information session will be held August 28 from 8-9 a.m. in Mayo A301. The Career Advancement Program for Clinical Research Scholars (CAPS) (formerly K12 training program) is designed to help senior fellows and junior faculty develop a career in clinical research. It includes 75 percent salary support, research funds and other benefits for up to five years. Senior faculty are encouraged to initiate and support a nomination. For application forms and eligibility criteria go to www.epi.umn.edu/CAPS
The following opportunities for faculty research development grants are targeted to AHC faculty and have deadlines in the next few months:
The PhRMA Foundation “Health Outcomes” grant deadline is October 1. The goal of the grant is to encourage young scientists to pursue careers related to drug discovery. For more information go to http://www.phrmafoundation.org
Those willing to invest some weekend time to receive cosmetic dentistry at reduced fees may contact Sara Hulke in Continuing Dental Education & Alumni Relations in the School of Dentistry at hulke003@umn.edu. For more information, go to http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/smile.
All AHC faculty are welcome to attend a session on mentoring and career development with mentoring expert Janet Bickel on Thursday, September 21. The sessions, sponsored by the Medical School, are free, but preregistration is required. For more information call 612 624-5442 or go to http://www.med.umn.edu/events/mentoring
“Protecting Our Food System from Intentional Attack”
(a compilation of resources, currently available online at http://cpheo.sph.umn.edu/cpheo/umncphp/foodsystem.html or on CD) and other free emergency preparedness resources are available from the Centers for Public Health Education and Outreach (CPHEO) as of August 31 (or sooner). To request any of the products, please email or fax a request to umncphp@umn.edu or 612-626-4525 (fax).
The Heart Failure Simulation Pod (sponsored by Astrazeneca) will be in the Mississippi River Flats Parking lot August 31 and September 1. For information contact Greg Harty at 612-799-3224.
As we approach election season, supervisors may need to remind staff of the regulations surrounding political contributions. As a general rule, no University employee is required to pay or is allowed to solicit for a political campaign during work hours. Listed below are links to documents that address political activity at the University:
Civil Service --
http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/policies/governing/civilrules/rule2.html
Student Workers --
http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/policies/governing/studentrules/rule2.html
AFSCME Unit 6 --
http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/policies/governing/unit6contract/article4.html
AFSCME Unit 7 --
http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/policies/governing/unit7contract/article4.html
University of Minnesota Employees Who Campaign for/ and or hold Public Office --
http://www1.umn.edu/regents/policies/humanresources/Employees_and_Public_Office.pdf
AHC News Capsules is a biweekly newsletter for faculty, staff, and students of the Academic Health Center. Please send submissions to Jennifer La Forgia at lafor016@umn.edu.
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