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News Capsules 11/20/08
Nov. 20, 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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As we approach the end of November, the entire globe is struggling through an era of economic uncertainty. Here in Minnesota, the University is working to manage the short term effects while being well positioned for the future. I’ve heard from some of you with questions about the announcement of a hiring “pause,” which requires open positions to be closely evaluated and approved by senior leadership before being filled. Some are concerned this could suppress the drive toward our ambitious research and clinical care plans. Let me assure you that our goals have not changed, and the University has taken steps such as the hiring pause and the recent retirement incentive option in order to remain strong.
In several weeks, we will learn more about the state’s revenue situation, and we expect the Governor’s proposed budget in January, which will help us shape our financial and strategic planning for the coming years. We will weather this storm; the work that is done in the Academic Health Center is too crucial to the state of Minnesota, for the health of its people and its economy. Yes, we will have to make tough choices, and some projects slated for the near future may be farther out on the horizon, but together we are driving toward the same goals.
Despite the discouraging economic situation, we have much to be thankful for in the University’s Academic Health Center. Best wishes to you and your families for a wonderful and meaningful Thanksgiving holiday.
– Frank B. Cerra, M.D.
Sr. Vice President for Health Sciences
Dual treatment for stroke leads to improved recovery, reduced mortality
Stroke patients who receive both intravenous thrombolysis – a minimally invasive treatment that dissolves abnormal blood clots – and endovascular interventions – such as drugs and implanting medical devices – are much more likely to recover and have lower chances of dying, according to new research by the Zeenat Qureshi Stroke Research Center at the Medical School. For more information, visit: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/stroketreatment111208/index.htm
Osterholm appointed to worldwide pandemics council
Michael T. Osterholm, Ph.D., M.P.H., director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) and professor at the School of Public Health, has been appointed to the Pandemics Global Agenda Council, an initiative of the World Economic Forum. The World Economic Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in partnerships to shape global, regional and industry agendas. For more information, visit: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/osterholm111108/home.html
BMT Program celebrates heritage at U
The Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview has been at the forefront of advances since Dr. Robert Good performed the world's first successful transplant in 1968 on an infant. The program recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. University of Minnesota physicians have performed more than 5,000 blood and marrow transplants, using leading-edge technology that continues to be developed by U researchers. For more information, visit: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/BMT40th/home.html
Minnesota Taconite Workers Lung Health Partnership names study coordinator
Leslie L. Studenski has joined the Minnesota Taconite Workers Lung Health Partnership as study coordinator. Studenski will coordinate the hiring and oversight of staff on Minnesota’s Iron Range to assist with the state-funded research project being led by the University of Minnesota. For more information, visit: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/taconitestudy111308/home.html
Phillip Peterson, M.D., and Paul Quie, M.D., (Medical School) were named recipients of the University of Minnesota’s Award for Global Engagement, which recognizes faculty and staff for outstanding contributions to global education and international programs at the University or in their field or discipline. Peterson and Quie are director and co-director, respectively, of the International Medical Education and Research program. Read more about the award.
William Riley, Ph.D. (School of Public Health), was named interim executive director of the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB), a nonprofit consortium of heads of local public health agencies whose mission is to develop, promote, and oversee quality standards for public health agencies. Read the news release.
Horace H. Loh, Ph.D. (Medical School), has been awarded a Specialized Center (P50) grant from NIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse for continuing support of the Basic Research Center on Molecular and Cell Biology of Drug Abuse.
Melissa Avery, Ph.D., R.N., Margaret Moss, Ph.D., J.D., R.N., Carol O’Boyle, Ph.D., R.N., and Cheryl Robertson Ph.D., R.N. (School of Nursing) were inducted as fellows into the American Academy of Nursing. Fellows are selected for their significant contributions to nursing and health care at a national or international level and their potential for continued contributions in the future. Read the news release.
Stuart Speedie, Ph.D., (Medical School), was elected to membership in the American College of Medical Informatics.
Bonnie Westra, Ph.D., R.N. (School of Nursing), was appointed co-chair of the Alliance for Nursing Informatics, a national coalition of nurses and nursing informatics groups. Westra is coordinator of the School of Nursing’s informatics specialty program.
Betty Kupskay, M.S., was named biosafety officer and biosafety program supervisor in the Department of Environmental Health and Safety. She will implement biosafety program initiatives including risk assessment and communication, training and policy development.
System-wide hiring pause
Last week, President Robert Bruininks announced a system-wide hiring pause that requires open positions be evaluated and deemed essential before being filled. Positions that are filled must cover work that is essential to the University’s operations. For more information, read President Bruinink’s statement: http://www1.umn.edu/pres/comm/081111_email.html
Early-bird deadline for Bakken symposium extended
There is still time to register at a reduced rate for the Bakken Surgical Device Symposium, Dec. 8-9, Mayo Memorial Auditorium. Presented by the University of Minnesota and supported by LifeScience Alley and Alley Institute, the symposium will explore the early innovations and current practice with an eye to future developments in cardiac valve design and technique. View the agenda and register here: http://www.lifesciencealley.org/programs_events/detail.aspx?id=225
Deadline approaching for 2009 Academy for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
The deadline for nominations to the 2009 Academy for Excellence in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning is Friday, Nov. 28. Eligible candidates include all full- and part-time faculty members, clinical-track faculty, professional and academic instructors, community-based faculty members, preceptors, or teams of faculty. Questions regarding the nomination process may be directed to Erin Sperling at (612) 624-3970 or sperl004@umn.edu. Details regarding the nomination process may be found online at: www.ahceducation.umn.edu/academy.
“Prescription for Reform: Health Care Summit 2008”
The University’s Office of Federal Relations encourages faculty, staff and students to attend the summit, hosted by U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 25 in the Mayo Memorial Auditorium. Panelists including Sen. Klobuchar, Commonwealth Fund President Karen Davis, Mayo Clinic President and CEO Dr. Denis Cortese, former United States Senator David Durenberger and Dr. Jack Wennberg from the Dartmouth Medical School will focus on strengthening America’s health care system, quality, and access. This event is free, open to the public, and lunch will be provided. To RSVP, click here or call 612-727-5242.
“The Impact of Public Reporting on Post-Acute Care”
Rachel Werner, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pennsylvania and core investigator with the VA HSR&D Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, will present “The Impact of Public Reporting on Post-Acute Care” from 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 4, in Room 2-530 Moos Tower. For more details, go to the Division of Health Policy and Management Web site at www.hpm.umn.edu.
Benefit jewelry sale
The School of Nursing Foundation is holding a one-day jewelry sale on Wednesday, Dec. 3 from 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. in the 2nd floor hallway near the Outside In cafeteria, Phillips-Wangensteen Building. Sales from antique and contemporary jewelry will benefit nursing education programs and scholarships. For more information, contact Jane Pederson, 612-624-2490, peder010@umn.edu
Dental clinics seeking child, adult patients
School of Dentistry patient clinics are open to the public and immediate appointments for children and adults are available. Patients receive a diagnosis and professional care from student dentists and hygienists, dental residents, and faculty members. The full range of general and specialty dental services are available at reduced fees. For an appointment or more information, call (612) 624-8400 or go to www.dentistry.umn.edu.
Retiree grant program deadline: Dec. 15
The Graduate School and the University of Minnesota Retirees Association invite applications for its professional development grants. The program supports retirees who require financial assistance to pursue projects related to their research, instructional or other work history, and that contribute to the educational, scholarly and academic missions of the University. For more information, visit: http://www1.umn.edu/umra/Grants.html
Nov. 24
12:20-1:10 p.m.
History of Medicine Lecture
Milestones in Transplantation
John Najarian, M.D.
Location: Diehl Hall - 555
Nov 25
12:15-1 p.m.
Learning 2.0 Lunch & Learn Seminar
My Library from Everywhere
Shane Nackerud and Jim Beattie
Location: Moos Health Sciences Tower - 1-450, and 155 Peters (St. Paul)
Dec. 3
1-3 p.m.
BioMedical Genomics Center RNAi Core Facility
Lentiviral shRNAmir: Options for Constitutive, Inducible and Multiplex RNAi
Troy Moore, Chief Technical Officer, Open Biosystems
Location: Masonic Cancer Research Building – 450
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.
Health News Round Up with an Eye Toward AHC History
The health science research at the U of M's Academic Health Center is regularly featured in the local and national news. At other times, a news item may not mention the U of M, however, a major element of the story will have its origin within the history of the U of M's health sciences. A recent news round up finds these historical perspectives at http://blog.lib.umn.edu/moore144/ahcarchives/2008/11/news_round_up.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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