News Capsules 10/29/09
October 29, 2009
NEWS CAPSULES is a biweekly newsletter for faculty, staff, and students of the Academic Health Center. Please send submissions to Emily Jensen at jense888@umn.edu.
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I’ve talked to you in recent weeks about the “new normal” – that is, the environment in which we find ourselves operating today. The University, as well as all our funding sources, are being impacted by the economy and this impacts the strategic direction of our institution. This new environment requires faculty and staff to work harder, work faster, and be more responsive to change and budget constraints.
Earlier this month, I listened to President Robert Bruininks, CFO Richard Pfutzenreuter, and Vice President Steve Rosenstone present Regents with findings from the “Financing the Future Task Force.” They are leading a discussion about how we can continue to enjoy a reputation of excellence, while funds are less available from the state. That discussion reminded me of an old axiom in business and politics that “in crisis there is opportunity.” We all have an opportunity to be innovative, strategic, and make the best of what we as a community have to offer. I believe that as a group we can do much more than as individuals in leading through a time of change.
Let me end on a very positive note that reflects the hard work of many in the AHC to fund our research programs. So far, AHC faculty have been awarded more than $34 million in stimulus funding grants. Congratulations. You can view some of these research projects at www.ahc.umn.edu/stimulusgrants.
– Frank B. Cerra, M.D.
Sr. Vice President for Health Sciences
Dean of the Medical School
AHC launches stimulus grants Web section
To date, faculty members in the Academic Health Center have netted more than $34 million in stimulus grants. Visit the AHC's stimulus grants Web section to learn how researchers are using this money to advance science and improve health.
Students experience simulated explosion in Disaster 101 workshop
Health Science students responded to a simulated explosion that included state-of-the-art effects such as smoke and debris during the Disaster 101 workshop. Along the way, their response skills were assessed by trained professionals.
More than 100 UMMC, Amplatz physicians named to Best Doctors in America
More than 100 University of Minnesota Medical Center and University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital physicians were recently named to the Best Doctors in America® 2009-2010 database. The list honors the top 5 percent of doctors in the nation, selected by their peers.
Janet Dubinsky, Ph.D., (Medical School) has been honored with the Science Educator Award from the Society for Neuroscience.
Patrick T. Redig, D.V.M., Ph.D., (College of Veterinary Medicine) received the Eagle Conservation Alliance's Lifetime Achievement Award for his career accomplishments in raptor biology and medicine.
Genevieve Melton-Meaux, M.A., M.D., (Medical School) has been awarded the American Surgical Association Foundation's $75,000 annual fellowship.
Martina Bazzaro, Ph.D., (Medical School) and Amy Skubitz, Ph.D., (Medical School) of the Masonic Cancer Center have been named inaugural recipients of the Department of Defense Ovarian Cancer Academy Research Program.
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Time is running out—name the Medical Bioscience Building café
Want to provide the name for the newest cafe on campus? Submit your ideas by Sunday, Nov. 1.
Community Fund Drive
Support our community by participating in the Community Fund Drive. This year's goal is to raise $1.25 million for the region’s nonprofits. Even a small amount from each paycheck will help. So visit the Web site and select from the hundreds of charities. If you'd rather pick your own charity, you can write it in an online form.
Pay date anomaly to impact all employees
In fiscal year 2009-10 (FY10) there are 27 paydays instead of 26. Anticipating the budget shortfall for FY10 would be more significant than FY11, this extra pay date will be moved from Wednesday, June 30, 2010 to Thursday, July 1, 2010, thus moving the financial impact from FY10 to FY11. Civil service and non-academic bargaining unit staff will see no disruption in pay, but faculty, P&A staff, graduate assistants, and professionals-in-training who are on full-year (A term) appointments will see a change in their individual checks.
Saturday's Gopher football game dedicated to breast cancer research, awareness
Masonic Cancer Center and the color pink for breast cancer awareness will take center stage at the Gopher football game Saturday, Oct. 31 at TCF Bank Stadium. Promotional activities include: a video spot featuring Coach Tim Brewster and Masonic Cancer Center Director Douglas Yee; a staffed information table in the stadium concourse; and coaches, players, and the cheer squad wearing pink pins.
AHC, Medical School invite applications for new position
The AHC and Medical School invite applications and nominations for the newly combined position of associate vice president for research in the Academic Health Center and vice dean for research in the Medical School. This new position combines aspects of two previous positions and will be filled by an internal search.
Minnesota Medical Foundation board elects new members, approve audited financial results
The board of trustees of the Minnesota Medical Foundation elected seven new board members and approved the foundation’s audited financial results for fiscal year 2009. The foundation reported fiscal year-end giving of $124.9 million, a record for the University’s second-largest foundation.
SPH experts weigh in on health care reform
Watch videos of School of Public Health faculty members Jean Abraham, Ph.D., and Lynn Blewett, Ph.D. They discuss different aspects of health care reform, including cost containment, the uninsured, and the political process.
"Valuing Clinical Scholars"
10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Oct. 30, Campus Club, 4th floor Coffman Union Rooms A,B,C
Faculty discuss the value of clinical scholars and clinical faculty, as well as strategies for revising the criteria and processes for participation in faculty governance and promotion decisions.
"Summit of Sages: Inspiration, Innovation & Transformation"
Nov. 4-6, Minneapolis
Listen to six “sages” from all walks of health care share how they transformed health care delivery. Hosted by the School of Nursing, this presentation features Daniel Pink, best-selling author and expert on innovation, competition, and the changing world of work. Take advantage of the faculty and student reduced rate by e-mailing your information to densford@umn.edu.
School of Nursing Centennial Gala
5:30 p.m., Nov. 5, Minneapolis Convention Center
Take part in the School of Nursing's centennial celebration and attend a gala that recognizes 100 distinguished alumni, as well as 14 distinguished faculty alumni.
Health Care Reform 101
6 p.m. - 8 p.m., Nov. 12, Mayo Auditorium
Are you a student who's interested in knowing about health care reform? Then attend Health Care Reform 101 and learn about the background and facts, as well as problems and possible solutions. The focus includes how health care reform specifically affects our generation and how young people can get involved. For more information, contact grey0028@umn.edu.
Stress Busters
Noon - 1 p.m., Tuesdays through mid-December, Mayo Auditorium
Refresh and recharge yourself with an informal hour of meditation and light stretching. Instructors will lead exercises that will leave you feeling physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually rejuvenated. The Center for Spirituality and Healing hosts this free event. For more information, contact Cass at 612-626-5319.
Registration opens for Design of Medical Device Conference
Attend the world's premiere medical devices conference and explore topics such as surgical simulators and cardiovascular engineering. Registration opens November 1 for this April 13-15, 2010 conference.
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Oct. 30
Continuing Medical Education - Pain Management for Primary Care Providers
Chronic Pain: Challenges and Solutions for Primary Care
8 a.m.-5 p.m., Continuing Education and Conference Center
More information: cme@umn.edu
Nov. 2
Program in the History of Medicine
"Writing a Biography of a Chinese Disease-concept: From Warm Diseases (wenbing) to SARS (feidian)"
1:10 p.m., 555 Diehl Hall
Nov. 13
Center for Bioethics Lecture
"Family Stories: Decision-Making in Advanced Dementia"
12:15 p.m.-1:30 p.m., 1-451 Moos Tower
More information: Call 612-624-8478, or e-mail lhoekstr@umn.edu
Nov. 20
Emerging Infections in Clinical Practice and Public Health Emerging and Re-Emerging Infections: What’s Happening?
8 a.m.–5 p.m., Radisson University Hotel
More information: Call 612-626-7600, or e-mail cme@umn.edu.
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.
Why a university hospital?
Why is a university hospital important? And, was it absolutely necessary that the University own it? Find out more in this 1993 executive summary.
AHC News Capsules is a biweekly newsletter for faculty, staff, and students of the Academic Health Center. Please send submissions to Emily Jensen at jense888@umn.edu.
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