In the August issue of Minnesota Physician magazine, which recognized physician-led research statewide, ten of the fifteen projects featured were led by AHC faculty. They included Catherine Verfaillie, medicine; Peter Bitterman, medicine; Kevin Peterson, family practice and community health; Nicole Lurie, medicine and public health; Steven Borowsky, medicine; Scott Giebink, pediatrics; Ashley Haase, microbiology; Winston Cavert, microbiology; Chad Boult, family practice and community health; Kristine Ensrud, medicine and epidemiology; Steven Miles, medicine and the Center for Bioethics; William Krivit, pediatrics; and Charlie Peters, pediatrics. Twenty-five other AHC researchers were commended for their work. The new surgical MRI suite at Fairview-University Medical Center appeared in a full-page, color photo spread in the September 3 Pioneer Press. The article featured Walter Hall, neurosurgery, and Chip Truwit, radiology. The Veterinary Teaching Hospital's ICU was featured in an August 29 CityBusiness article about raising funds to expand the unit. U President Mark Yudof and Tim Ebner, neurosurgery, appeared in the Pioneer Press August 29 and on KARE-TV August 28 regarding the AHC's State Fair Exhibit. Donald Hunninghake, medicine and pharmacology, was quoted in the Pioneer Press August 29 following announcement of his finding that a new cholesterol-lowering drug is more effective than others on the market. Gary Remafedi, pediatrics, spoke on MPR's "All Things Considered," August 28 about his study finding that young gay men are seven times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers. Remafedi also appeared on KTCA's "NewsNight Minnesota." The study ran in the New York Times Syndicate on-line on September 3. Alexander Wagenaar, epidemiology, discussed dangers of alcohol poisoning on KSTP-TV August 27. He also spoke on MPR's "All Things Considered" August 19 about the U's decision to accept Minnesota Brewing Company Funds in exchange for advertising Grain Belt beer at athletic events. Frank Cerra, senior vice president for health sciences, was quoted in an August 27 Pioneer Press story examining the emergence of direct contracting for health care services. Greg Vercellotti and Robert McCollister, Medical School administration, appeared in the August 24 Pioneer Press and the August 25 Star Tribune regarding the federal government's proposal to pay hospitals to train fewer residents. Cynthia Gillett, director of Research Animal Resources, was quoted in the August 21 Pioneer Press regarding her statements before the St. Paul City Council in support of a $200 fee for pound animals sold to the U. Aaron Folsom, epidemiology, appeared in the Star Tribune August 6 for his study showing that middle-aged men and women are much less likely to suffer heart attacks if they exercise vigorously. Wendeline Wagner, assistant clinical specialist in the Medical School, wrote an opinion piece supporting animal research workers that appeared in the August issue of Harper's magazine.
-Teri Charest
Judging by the size the crowd in front of the AHC's booth at the State Fair on Thursday, August 28, you might have thought we were giving away fried cheese curds.
But the attraction was a collection of animal and human brains neuroscientist Tim Ebner brought for a lively session of show and tell. Ebner made neuroscience understandable and even entertaining to spectators, showing how the brain works and which areas control what function. He got kids into the act to explain how the brain is involved in reflex movements. And he fielded questions. But when one woman asked him where memories from past lives are stored, he was stumped. "I'm still working on that," he replied.
The highlight of the day was a visit from U president Mark Yudof, who gloved up and held a brain in his hands. After Ebner explained to Yudof how the brain works, he quipped "of course the configuration is completely different for lawyers," to which Yudof replied with a smile, "Do you have tenure?"
A live filming of the AHC's medical information program "Health Talk and You" also attracted a crowd on the same day, which focused on the Medical School. The session, called "Growing Old Healthy" featured faculty physicians James Pacala, Paul Quie, and June LaValleur and was hosted by Greg Vercellotti.
Each school had its day at the fair, using displays, visiting faculty members, on-line resources and literature to tell fair go-ers about achievements, contributions to the state, and degree programs. In addition, computers offered access to health information, AHC programs, and job opportunities, and student volunteers checked blood pressure.
If you have ideas for next year's fair, please send them to Mary Kenyon, coordinator, at hastings@mailbox.mail.umn.edu.
-Peggy Rinard
Clinical Trials Research: Enhancing the University's Competitive Position will be held September 15, 7:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the Radisson Metrodome. The Academic Health Center's Research Services Organization offers this conference to inform faculty, staff, and students about dramatic changes taking place in corporate-sponsored, clinical trials research and the University's efforts to compete more effectively in this area. Issues and topics to be addressed by a panel of University and industry experts include:
The AHC will celebrate U President Mark Yudof's inauguration with a day of special activities on Tuesday, October 14. The schedule includes an open house and tours of the Basic Sciences/Biomedical Engineering building, a program in Mayo Auditorium, and demonstrations and displays elsewhere in the AHC. Watch for details in the September 25 issue of "this thursday." For more information about displays, call the Office of Communications at 624-5100.
A new AIDS drug developed by Robert Vince, professor of medicinal chemistry in the College of Pharmacy, is being tested in an open-label clinical trial coordinated by the manufacturer, Glaxo Wellcome. The drug, called 1592, has shown potent antiviral activity in preliminary studies, which also suggest side effects are mild and that the drug reaches the central nervous system. The drug is being offered on an open label basis to provide broader access to patients who have failed other treatment options. The compound 1592 is very similar to carbovir, a compound identified by Vince and licensed to Glaxo Wellcome in 1992.
"From egg to organ: cell motility and cell polarity in development," the University's sixth annual developmental biology symposium, will be held September 29-30 at the Earle Brown Center. The symposium will focus on the role of the cytoskeleton in generating and maintaining spatial order in plant and animal development. Christopher Wylie, professor of pediatrics and director of the U's Developmental Biology Research Program, is coordinator. Guest speakers include developmental biologists from around the country. For further information, visit the event web site at http://www.med.umn.edu/dbc/symp, or call 625-9429.
A program on Tibetan Medical Diagnosis and Treatment will be presented in room 2-470 Phillips-Wangensteen Building from 12-1:30 on Tuesday, September 16, 1997. Dr. Lobsang Wangyal, personal physician for the Dalai Lama and member of the Tibetan Medical Institute, is guest speaker. C.H.I.P. (Center for Health Interdisciplinary Programs) and the Minnesota Medical Foundation are co-sponsors. AHC students, staff, and faculty are invited to attend free of charge. There is a $20 charge for a talk and reception for Dr. Wangyal at the Radisson Hotel Metrodome at 5:00 p.m. the same day. For information on either, call Jenny Meslow at 625-1113.
The Department of Orthopedic Surgery's new head is Marc Swiontkowski, who was appointed effective August 25. An orthopedic trauma surgeon, Swiontkowski comes to the U from the University of Washington, where he was professor and chief of orthopedics at the affiliated Harborview Medical Center. Swiontkowski's clinical interests are injuries, fracture union, and musculoskeletal infection; his research interest is bone microcirculation.
Minnesota Medical Foundation has added several new staff members. Julie Crews Barger is director of Alumni Relations and Special Events; Marda Winnick is director of development for the Cancer Center; Marlene Guzman is director of development for the School of Public Health and director of corporate and foundation relations; William Heimen is director of development for the Department of Medicine in the Medical School. For more information on these programs, refer to the MMF web page at www.med.umn.edu/mmf/.
More than $50,000 for medical education and research was generated by the seventh annual Minnesota Medical Foundation Golf Classic, held Monday, August 25, at the Rolling Green Country Club in Medina. About 220 golfers from the medical community participated in the event, which was co-sponsored by Fairview, First Asset Management, Merck, and Preferred One.
The Center for Bioethics has a new faculty member. Carl Elliott, formerly of the pediatrics department and Biomedical Ethics Unit at McGill University in Montreal, joined the Center in July. Elliott will head the U's graduate minor program in bioethics and expand the graduate education program. Elliot has an M.D. degree from the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, and a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Glasgow, Scotland.
The 1997 Mature Women's Conference, held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in August, was attended by about 150 women. June LaValleur, director of the Mature Women's Center, coordinated the event, which featured women faculty discussing new research on mid-life health issues. "With increased life expectancy, quality of life during and after menopause brings new challenges for women," LaValleur says. "As women continue to meet the demands of careers, parenting, relationships, and community involvement, finding consistent time for self care may be the biggest challenge of all." The conference was co-sponsored by Fairview-University Medical Center.
An introductory course on complementary healing will be offered on Monday evenings during the fall quarter through University College. The class will explore theoretical, cultural, and research bases for complementary care and feature demonstrations of hypnosis, biofeedback, meditation, prayer, traditional Asian medicine, chiropractic care, massage, therapeutic touch, and nutrition. The class is sponsored by the U's Center for Spirituality and Healing. For further information, call Pam Weiss at 624-9459.
The Raptor Center's annual fall bird release will be held on September 20 at Hyland Park Reserve in Bloomington. Three to four rehabilitated eagles, hawks, and owls will be returned to the wild at ceremonies at noon and 2:30 p.m. The first annual "Run for the Raptors" 5K race will take place at 10:00 a.m. Attendees will also meet ambassador birds and learn about transcontinental migrations on the internet. For more information, visit the Raptor Center's web page, www.raptor.cvm.umn.edu/raptor/events.html or call Mary Beth Garrigan at 624-3031.
Minnesota Partnerships for Training will present "Lessons learned from the Minnesota Interdisciplinary Fellowship Program" on Monday, September 15, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. in room 4-180 of Weaver-Densford Hall. The lecture will focus on interdisciplinary education in an urban setting. The fellowship program is sponsored by the National Health Service Corps and the Minnesota Office of Rural Health and Primary Care to increase the number of primary care practitioners in underserved areas and promote team care. Speakers are Linda Lindeke, assistant professor of nursing, and Carol Hargate, of Model Cities Health Center in St. Paul. For information, call 626-4823.
William Maxwell was named Fairview's acting CEO by the health systems board of directors on August 27. Maxwell has been with Fairview since 1978, most recently as executive vice president and chief operating officer. Board Chair Royce Sanner will work with Maxwell until a permanent CEO is selected by a search committee. Roby Thompson and John Morrison will represent the AHC on the search committee. Thompson is vice president for clinical affairs; Morrison, formerly on the University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinic board, serves on the Fairview University Medical Center board of directors.
The road to a health professions or research career can be a long and obstructed one for minority students. But this past spring and summer, a record 200 young people took part in enrichment programs that prepared them for the journey. The sessions wrapped up with a recognition ceremony in August that was attended by 350 people, including U president Mark Yudof. William Hogan, the first African American to chair the U's board of regents, was keynote speaker.
The AHC's Multicultural Institute offered ten programs that spanned academic enrichment, career exploration, and research experience. Here's a summary of each.
For more information on these programs, call MCI director Jaki Cottingham-Zierdt at 625-9940.
Apostolos Georgopoulos recently received the George Morgan Award for Creativity and Innovation in Interdisciplinary Education from Brown University and gave the Annual Distinguished Lecture in Neuroscience at the University of Edinburgh. Georgopoulos is professor of physiology and director of the Brain Sciences Center at the Veterans Administration Medical Center. Liz Ingulli, a postdoctoral researcher in Marc Jenkins laboratory, just published a paper in the Journal of Experimental Medicine. The paper provides the first in vivo glimpse of antigen-presentation to T lymphocytes. Steven Shuman, associate professor of preventive sciences, is president-elect of the American Society for Geriatric Dentistry. Kendall Wallace, associate professor of medicine, has been named associate editor of "Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology," the Journal of the Society of Toxicology. Wallace also edited a book titled "Free Radical Toxicology," published this year by Taylor and Francis, Washington, D.C. Donna Z. Bliss, assistant professor of nursing, has received the Excellence in Nursing Education Award from Sigma Theta Tau, the nursing honor society. Michelle Biros, assistant professor of emergency medicine and neurosurgery, will receive the Outstanding Contributions in Research Award at the October meeting of the American College of Emergency Physicians, to be held in San Francisco.
Letters, opinions, and news items should be sent to: this thursday, Academic Health Center Office of Communications, Box 735, 420 Delaware Street S.E., or e-mailed to ahcweb@gold.tc.umn.edu. Tel: 624-5100.
Letters may be edited for length and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this thursday staff.
Publisher: Academic Health Center Office of Communications
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The AHC goes to the State Fair
Around the AHC
News in brief
There is no charge for the conference, but registration is requested. Please contact Judith Teumer at 625-2145 or teume001@maroon.tc.umn.edu to register or for further information. James Cloyd, acting director of the Clinical Trials Unit, is conference coordinator.
Multicultural Institue programs steer minority kids into health professions and research careers
Kudos
this thursday is published biweekly for the University of Minnesota Academic Health Center community.
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