On a sunny May 2, the Medical School graduated 205 new physicians. During the ceremony, Stephanie St. Pierre spoke to her classmates, the faculty, friends, and families. "Many of us are from Minnesota, but some of us come from as far away as Somalia and Russia…in our class we have former teachers, Ph.D.'s, and even an attorney…. Despite our unique experiences, all 205 of us have common qualities that landed us here at the University of Minnesota Medical School. We have all experienced the innate goodness of human beings, driving us to want to help others; we love the contrast of order with mystery that is at the root of the study of the science of medicine; and we are lifelong learners, knowing that our fields will evolve as we continue to grow as physicians." (More) Congratulations to our graduates and thanks to all who contributed to their education.
Dan Kaufman, M.D., Ph.D., has proven the effectiveness of those NK cells in killing human leukemia in a mouse model. “These recent studies really advance previous work done in our lab to produce a population of natural killer cells from human embryonic stem cells,” Kaufman said. “We’ve now proven that these cells are much more potent and effective at killing tumor cells than those coming from other sources like human umbilical cord blood, and we’ve been able to identify some of the reasons why. With the recent rule changes surrounding embryonic stem cells in Washington, it is exciting that this work is now coming out.” (Video and more)
Transition challenges, tasks, and groups to administer the transition and to advise Senior Vice President for Health Sciences Frank B. Cerra, M.D., are posted online at www.ahc.umn.edu/transition .
The American Academy of Family Physicians has once again named the University of Minnesota Medical School among the top 10 LCME-accredited schools in the nation for the 2005-08 academic years. This honor is given to medical schools with the highest percentage of students entering family medicine residencies. This is the third year our Medical School has received this honor.
Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the University of Minnesota Medical School—Duluth Campus commissioned an original work of art to depict its mission and pay tribute to many who have contributed to its success. In April, artist Jane Frees-Kluth completed the installation of her original sculpture – a figure of a woman standing on a tower pointing towards a small town street. (Full story) The sculpture features names of hundreds of people who have supported the campus during 40 years. On June 5, the Duluth Campus will host an official dedication of the sculpture and Wall of Honor.
A new microscope to see deep structures within the inner ear has been developed by Peter A. Santi, Ph.D., otolaryngology, and James R. Leger, Ph.D., Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering. Conventional microscope sections of the inner ear result in highly distorted views of its structure due to its spiral-shaped geometry. Santi and Leger’s team have produced a new microscope called Thin Sheet Laser Imaging Microscope (TSLIM) that can optically section and digitize thick and complex tissues such as the inner ear. "Collaborative efforts such as this are a testament to the close and expanding ties between the Academic Health Center and the Institute of Technology," says Leger. TSLIM is currently being used to nondestructively produce complete image stacks of the inner ear and brain of mouse and zebrafish that are ideal for producing 3D reconstructions of their internal structures. Says Santi: "TSLIM 3D reconstructions of the inner ear allow us to map, quantify, and reveal pathologies of the inner ear that have never been seen before and which will ultimately better our understanding of the mechanisms of hearing loss in humans due to aging, intense sound exposure, and ototoxic drugs." (More in BioTechniques online – registration required)
An intensive training course designed for any physician or health care provider who works in immigrant, refugee, and travelers’ health and tropical medicine, the Global Health Course runs June 29-Aug. 21. Based on the principle that there are no local diseases, the course emphasizes pragmatic information and skills for providing health care in a global village. This certificate preparation course is one of 13 courses offered internationally, and the only course that is co-sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Flyer)
Professor Emeritus William Jacott, M.D., Family Medicine, was recognized with a President's Award for Outstanding Service earlier this month. He was one of 13 honorees. The award recognizes exceptional service to the University, its schools, colleges, departments, and service units by any active or retired faculty or staff member. Recipients of this award have gone well beyond their regular duties and have demonstrated an unusual commitment to the University community.
Educators across the Academic Health Center come together May 18-19 in an interprofessional forum to learn the latest best practices in education. Free to University of Minnesota faculty and staff, the institute runs 8 a.m.-5 p.m., May 18, 8 a.m.-noon, May 19, in Moos 2-650. To register and for information, go to: http://www.bpinstitute.umn.edu .
The Society of General Internal Medicine this week honors Jasjit S. Ahluwalia, M.D., M.P.H., M.S., with their 2009 Herbert Nickens Award. This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to cultural diversity in medicine or to improving minority health.
For the fourth consecutive year, one of our students has received an American Medical Association Foundation Minority Scholarship. This year, Suzanne Garber was among the only 12 awardees nationally of this $10,000 scholarship in recognition of her outstanding promise as a future physician. "After a very successful career as a senior software engineer, Garber pursued medical school to fulfill the need to make a significant difference in the medical care of the Hispanic migrant and seasonal farm workers in Minnesota and North Dakota," the foundation noted in the press release. In 2008, Liz Alm received this scholarship; in 2007, Chuck Branch; and, in 2006, Gareth Ford.
Oncologist Arkadiusz Dudek, M.D., Ph.D., has been named an Eminent Scientist of the Year 2009 by the International Research Promotion Council. The IRPC's primary goal: "To fight relentlessly for the social and economic development of the emerging economies by promoting research and developmental programs in science, medicine and other related areas." Congratulations to Dudek.
Amy Moran, graduate student in the Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology Ph.D. Program, has been selected to receive a 2008 Award for Outstanding Performance as a Teaching Assistant for the College of Biological Sciences. The award will be presented at the May 16 CBS commencement ceremony.
Medical School faculty and students have been recognized at recent award ceremonies. "We're gathered to celebrate excellence," said Kathleen Watson, M.D., associate dean for students and student learning, at the April 17 Medical School Honors & Awards ceremony in Mayo Auditorium. A great many worthy faculty and students were honored (complete list). Tyler Kimbrough, M.D., Department of Otolaryngology, was among the seven residents who received an Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award for teaching; Nathan Chomilo and Amy Kittelson were among the 12 recipients of Medical Student Achievement Awards; and Steven Miles, M.D., was one of six recognized for distinguished teaching. On the Medical School - Duluth campus April 29, 58 second-year students were honored before they disperse. Special guests included Frederick and Peter Bagley who presented a coveted award established by their parents, Dr. Charles M. and Ruth H. Bagley. Sue Espenson, Sara Olmanson, Tessa Reff and Nicholas Vidor, the students selected to receive the $5,000 awards, demonstrate the ability to perform clinically in an outstanding manner and interact in a positive manner with patients. Vidor and Marie Lange were also honored at the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians April meeting, for establishing a student-run clinic in Duluth, Hope of People Everywhere. Ray Christensen, M.D., received the President's Award and Ruth Westra, D.O., was honored as Teacher of the Year (more).
Medical School alumni don’t have to wait till this fall’s Alumni Reunion (September 11–12) to reconnect with Medical School friends and classmates. Reestablish old bonds online now by becoming a fan of the Medical Alumni Society (MAS) page on Facebook. Many classes have already started forming groups on the site—don’t be left behind.
Contributing Editor: Kathleen Watson, M.D., drwatson@umn.edu
I dwell in Possibility—
A fairer House than Prose—
More numerous of Windows—
Superior—for Doors—
Of Chambers as the Cedars—
Impregnable of eye—
And for an everlasting Roof—
The Gambrels of the Sky—
Of Visitors-the fairest-
For Occupation-This-
The spreading wide my narrow Hands
To gather Paradise.
--Emily Dickinson
Submissions or questions, contact: Allison Campbell Jensen, aac@umn.edu