AHC News Capsules 10/24/07
October 24, 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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Frank B.Cerra, M.D., and Nirmal Kumar Ganguly, M.D.
As you read this, I am in Bangalore, India, where we are formally marking the start of a relationship between the School of Nursing and the Narayana Hrudayalaya College of Nursing. It’s another opportunity for faculty and students to pursue new knowledge in a truly global health environment. One of the University’s great strengths is the depth and breadth of our disciplines providing great opportunities for innovation where those disciplines touch. On this trip, I’m recognizing again that the same potential for great innovation exists where cultures and peoples come in contact to learn from each other. This trip to India, which happens to coincide with Governor Pawlenty’s trade mission, provides a stark reminder of how quickly this country is moving to build and grow its economy. We heard the head of the Indian Council of Medical Research, ICMR, Dr. Ganguly, state that the promotion of health is now recognized as the most significant aspect to building their economy. Our relationship with the ICMR continues to evolve, resulting in a highly productive scientific symposium earlier this week focused on areas of common research interest for our faculty and their researchers. We’ve learned the University of Minnesota is one of only three universities in the United States with this type of strategic and focused relationship – promising great potential for our schools, students, and faculty. Connie Delaney, dean of the School of Nursing, and John Finnegan, dean of the School of Public Health, are with me on this trip as each of their schools works to further develop programs in India, Thailand, and other parts of Southeast Asia. In an era when health is truly a global issue, we’re working to ensure that the University of Minnesota is well positioned for prominence in our health sciences programs.
– Frank B. Cerra, M.D.
Sr. Vice President for Health Sciences
Discovery breaks down resistance of pancreatic cancer cells to therapy
Ashok Saluja, Ph.D., led the team that found a natural compound, triptolide, that can break down the resistance of pancreatic cancer cells to therapy and cause the cells to die. The compound may be a potential breakthrough agent for stopping the growth and spread of pancreatic cancer in patients. For more information, go to: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/pancreatic101607/home.html.
Researchers develop method that allows more cancer patients to receive blood transplants
By using a less toxic dose of chemotherapy and radiation in combination with umbilical cord blood that requires a less stringent match, University researchers were able to offer a transplant to people who previously did not qualify for transplantation either because of age, extensive prior therapy before transplant, organ dysfunction, or lack of a matched donor. The research, led by Claudio Brunstein, M.D., appears in the Oct. 15 issue of Blood, the premier journal of the American Society of Hematology. For more information, go to: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/newtreatment101507/home.html.
University to open Center for Study of Impulsivity in Addiction
The University of Minnesota has received a grant from the National Institutes of Health to open a Center for the Study of Impulsivity in Addiction. Its aim is to examine the relationship between impulsivity and addiction using studies of animals and humans. The center will be directed by Kelvin O. Lim, M.D., who hold the Drs. T.J. and Ella M. Arneson Endowed Chair and is professor and the vice chair for research in the Department of Psychiatry. For more information, go to: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/addictioncenter101107/home.html.
Dean Deborah Powell, M.D. (Medical School), will be awarded the Group on Student Affairs-Minority Affairs Section (GSA-MAS) Institutional Leadership Diversity Award at the Association of American Medical Colleges annual meeting next month.
Three physicians have been honored by their colleagues at University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview and University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital, Fairview for their extraordinary work to benefit patients. They are:
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Patricia Ferrieri, M.D., Clinical Scholar Award
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Arthur Matas, M.D., Clinical Innovation Award
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Bruce Peterson, M.D., Clinical Care Award
Juliet Mock, R.N. (Cardiovascular Clinical Trials Center), won the Nursing Spectrum Heartland Region Nursing Excellence Award in Mentoring. Mock was the only Minnesota nurse to earn the award. For more information, go to: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/mock102307/home.html.
Courtney Aldrich, Ph.D. (Center for Drug Design), has received a National Institutes of Health grant to study inhibitors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis mycolic acid biosynthesis. Aldrich and his collaborator, Eric Bennett, Ph.D. (Center for Drug Design), hope the research will eventually enable development of new drugs to treat tuberculosis.
Glenn J. Giesler, Jr., Ph.D. (Medical School), and Steve Davidson (neuroscience graduate student), had research on the effects of itch and scratching featured in Science. For more information, go to: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/search?fulltext=Giesler&issue=5848.
"State of the Medical School: Moving Forward"
Medical School Dean Deborah E. Powell, M.D., will deliver an update on the Medical School at 4:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 29, in Moos Tower 1-450, with a polycom link to Duluth campus room 165.
Minnesota Medical Foundation (MMF) hires new vice president of development
Patricia K. Porter, an experienced fund-raiser in the Big Ten, comes to MMF after six years with the University of Wisconsin Foundation in Madison, which recently completed a $1.8 billion campaign. For more information, go to: http://www.mmf.umn.edu/news/story.cfm?id=805. MMF also elected a new treasurer and five new board members at its annual meeting. For more information, go to: http://www.mmf.umn.edu/news/story.cfm?id=806.
School of Public Health (SPH) receives full accreditation
The Council on Education for Public health gave SPH a full seven-year accreditation. For more information on the accreditation process and to read the SPH self-study, go to: http://www.sph.umn.edu/faculty/accreditation/home.html.
New Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) functional team to be formed
The MRC Metropolitan Pharmaceutical Cache Deployment Team will serve as the repackaging workforce for the cache of antibiotics that may distributed to essential personnel in the event of a public health emergency. If essential personnel need prophylaxis prior to responding to a disaster, the cache contents will be assembled into just-in-time 10-day individual supplies. Sixty team members are needed. To qualify, you must be an MRC member and attend a training session. No specific licensure is required. Students are encouraged to participate. For more information, call 612-626-4722.
Office of Information Technology (OIT) to discontinue support for Novell Netware LAN
OIT will no longer provide support for any Novell Netware LAN systems after December 1, 2008. This decision has very little impact inside the Academic Health Center (AHC). Many areas in the AHC supported by AHC-IS have already migrated to the AHC Active Directory domain. If your unit is still using Novell, AHC-IS recommends you consider migrating to the AHC Active Directory domain or contact OIT about the Central Active Directory service. For information on Central Active Directory, go to: http://www1.umn.edu/umnad/. For information on AHC Active Directory Domain, call the AHC helpline at 612-626-5100.
Community Fund Drive entering final week
The University once again has teamed up with respected, well-run organizations that support social services, education, arts, and health to make it easy for faculty and staff to give to the community. You can choose where your money goes, selecting from a wide variety of worthy causes. The University is aiming to raise $1.25 million - funds that will go a long way toward addressing critical community needs. For more information or to contribute, go to: http://www.umn.edu/cfd/.
Children’s Hospital open forums
The next University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital forum is 3:45-4:45 p.m., Nov. 1, in the Riverside East board room on the Riverside campus. The session will include a facility planning update and a question and answer period.
"Creating Successful Mentoring Relationships"
The AHC Fall Faculty Forum is 8:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m., Nov. 2, at McNamara Alumni Center. The day will include a nationally known expert on peer mentoring, Linda Pololi, and a panel of experts from across the AHC with experience in developing successful mentoring programs. There is still time to register. For more information and to register, go to: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/faculty/mentoring/home.html.
The University of Minnesota is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The University of Minnesota designates this educational activity for a maximum of 5.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. If requested, attendees will receive a Statement of Attendance which can be used by other healthcare professionals for requesting Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) in accordance with state nursing boards, specialty societies, or other professional associations.
Share your ideas for UMore Park
The University has initiated a concept master planning process to guide the development of a new community on 5,000 acres of University-owned property in Dakota County. Currently called the University of Minnesota Outreach, Research and Education (UMore) Park, the new community is being developed through a charge of the University's Board of Regents. For more information, go to: http://www.umorepark.umn.edu/campus_forums. Add your input to the process at two forums:
- 8:00-10:30 a.m., Nov. 8, at St. Paul Campus Student Center North Star ballroom
- 9:00-10:30 a.m., Nov. 9, at Coffman Memorial Union theater
Center for Bioethics fall events
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Fall 2007 Mini Bioethics
Learn more about bioethics, including topics such as ethics and public health emergencies, health care professionals in interrogation, and stem cell research. This three-week course is taught by Center for Bioethics faculty and hosted by Center Director Jeffrey Kahn. Sessions are Nov. 13, 20, and 27. For more information, go to: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/outreach/minibioethics/home.html.
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Fall 2007 Bioethics Seminars
The Center for Bioethics provides a range of opportunities for faculty, students, staff and the public to learn about the cutting-edge issues in bioethics through its annual seminar series. Seminars are Nov. 9 and Dec. 14. For more information, go to: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/bioethics/events.html.
Take a quiz, win a prize
The Health Sciences Libraries have a variety of resources for faculty, students and staff. Learn about library services and take part in the October online contests for a chance in the grand prize drawing. For more information, go to: http://www.biomed.lib.umn.edu/news/openhouse/quiz.
LECTURES
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“Trying to Maintain Integrity in a Contrary Research Environment.”
The next University Forum on Research and Professional Ethics is 4:00-5:30 p.m., Nov. 14, at Coffman Memorial Union President’s Room. The event will feature Melissa S. Anderson, Ph.D., Director of the Postsecondary Education Research Institute, Coordinator of the Graduate Program in Higher Education, and Associate Professor of Higher Education. For more information, go to: http://www.research.umn.edu/events/research_ethics.html.
“A Global Veterinary Perspective on the Concept of One Health”
Using animal agriculture as the basis for discussion, David Sherman, D.V.M., M.S., A.C.V.I.M., will explore the relationship of animal, human, and environmental health and the value of a one-health approach to global well-being, viewed from the veterinary population. The event is noon-1 p.m., Nov. 30, in 215 Ben Pomeroy Student-Alumni Learning Center.
“The History of Organ Transplantation at the University of Minnesota”
John Najarian, M.D., will give the next Program in the History of Medicine lecture, 12:20-1:10 p.m., Oct. 29, in Room 555 Diehl Hall. For more information on the Program in the History of Medicine, go to: http://www.med.umn.edu/history/home.html.
“Navigating Conflict: Planned Parenthood's Strategy in South Dakota”
The Center for the Study of Politics and Governance is hosting a discussion featuring Sarah Stoesz, president and chief executive officer of Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Steve Sviggum, commissioner of industry and labor and long time pro-life advocate. Star Tribune columnist Lori Sturdevant will moderate. The event is 7:00-8:30 p.m., Oct. 24, in Cowles Auditorium at the Humphrey Institute.
“Chronic Pancreatitis: Recent Advances and Ongoing Challenges”
The eighth Owen H. Wangensteen Visiting Professor of Surgery Lecture will be given by Jeffrey B. Matthews, M.D., 4 p.m., Oct. 30, in the Mayo Memorial Auditorium. Mathews is the Dallas B. Phemister professor and chair of the Department of Surgery at the University of Chicago.
Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry
Stacy Malkan’s book, Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry uncovers a $35 billion cosmetics industry that is powerful – and unregulated. Hear excerpts from the author and listen to a panel discussion, 7-9 p.m., Nov. 6, at Mayo Memorial Auditorium. For more information, go to: http://www.csh.umn.edu/csh/programs/calendar/home.html.
FACILITIES NEWS
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Facebook to be used as emergency communication tool
The University has created the U of M Emergency Notification Facebook group. Twin Cities campus community members who join can have access to the latest information on crisis situations, such as weather emergencies, hazardous material spills, or crime alerts. To register on Facebook or join the group, go to http://www.facebook.com.
Oak Street parking ramp thefts
University Police have received a spike in reports of theft from vehicles parked in the Oak Street ramp. The majority of the thefts involved items left in plain view. University Police ask that you leave valuables at home or keep out of plain view in your vehicle. Report any suspicious activity by calling 612-624-COPS.
TIME CAPSULE
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Birth of the Academic Health Center
On July 10, 1970, the Board of Regents approved the reorganization of the Health Sciences on campus in order that "Minnesota can continue to be a pacesetter for the nation" in regards to health care education and delivery. To read the Mission Statement adopted by the Regents and the proposed structure for the newly formed Academic Health Center, go to: http://blog.lib.umn.edu/moore144/ahcarchives/2007/10/structure_and_governance.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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