No. 342,
March 2002
Editor: Gregory Vercellotti,
M.D., verce001@umn.edu
Editorial Assistant: Allison
Campbell, aac@umn.edu
What
was once med...
With
this issue, med becomes med ed. Although the name has changed to reflect new editorship and, for the
first time, the guidance of an editorial board, its mission remains the same:
"to link the faculty and students of the Medical School by means of a regular
communication of educational matters." I hope the communication flows both ways. Please let me know your critiques, story ideas, and suggestions
for improvement, by phone at (612-626-5812)
or e-mail (verce001@umn.edu or aac@umn.edu).
Encourage
student researchers
Student
researchers will be in the spotlight March 18, during the first Alfred F.
Michael Medical Student Research Colloquium, with a poster display in the PWB
corridor on the second floor. In addition, Stephen J. Weiss, editor of the Journal
of Clinical Investigation and University of Michigan professor, will
present the inaugural lecture. The deadline for students to submit abstracts is
March 1; for details, see the Medical Education Web site (http://www.meded.umn.edu).
Coming
soon
We have
curriculum changes that begin this fall with the class of 2006. Classes will start August 16 and for the
first seven weeks, entering students will take only Gross Anatomy and Physician
and Society. The earlier start,
combined with a shortened summer term, translates into a nine-week break
between the first and second years (instead of the current four). This longer break is an opportunity for
faculty seeking students to help with research projects. Want to encourage students to join your research
team? Post your opportunities on the Web
(http://cf-pub.ahc.umn.edu/med/resopps/).
Celebrating
our values
At this
year's White Coat Ceremony, we gathered to celebrate the bond between physician
and patient. On Jan. 12, first-year students from the most multicultural class
in our history received white coats, which symbolize their commitment to
patient care. Keynote speaker Joe Dowling, artistic director of the Guthrie
Theater, reminded students they can relearn their own humanity through theater.
Commemorating
our donors
With
readings, music, and dance, 400 people gathered for the Anatomy Memorial
Service Jan. 14 to honor families of those who donated their bodies to the
Medical School. In addition, students donated to the Como Park Conservatory
plaza a brick inscribed "In memory of your life and gift to us. U of M Anatomy
'01."
Teaching's
critical role
Anne
Taylor, M.D., Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, is leading a review of
promotion and tenure criteria in the Medical School with input from the
Education Council and other councils. This is an important process, as
excellence in teaching is integral to our mission and rewarding teachers
essential. Stay posted: med ed will report on recommendations as they
evolve.
Mentoring's
importance
The
Hennepin and Ramsey Medical Societies have joined with the Alumni Medical
Society and the Medical School in the last few years to match practicing
physicians with medical students. This year, the mentoring program received a
terrific response from the community; 119 first-year students were matched and
we also have a waiting list of volunteers. Thank you to all who have become
mentors; the students benefit greatly during their medical school years from
your advice and your support.
Continuing
to serve, in a new place
While
CME Director Bart Galle remains on the sixth floor of Mayo, most of the staff
of Continuing Medical Education have moved to the McNamara Alumni Center (also
known as the Gateway). You still can reach them at (612) 626-7600 or gather
information at their Web site (http://www.med.umn.edu/cme).
Computer
lab upgrade
Adding
15 computer workstations, for a total of 40, and installing wireless access for
those with laptops, will cut waiting times at the Medical School Student Computer
Lab, which is located on the second floor of the PWB. The computer lab is open
24/7; Medical School students use their Ucards for entry. The lab provides
access to e-mail, the Internet, Biomedical Library Internet-accessible
materials, instructional software, and the Microsoft Office suite.
Privacy
matters
Patient
confidentiality traditionally has been a cornerstone of the physician-patient
relationship. Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
(HIPAA), the University will have privacy of information policies in place by
April 2003. In storing or transmitting patient data electronically, we all need
to use extra caution. Releases might not only violate confidentiality and be
potentially damaging to patients, but also under HIPAA could become criminal
issues.
Editor's
Note: No Free Lunch
Direct-to-consumer
advertising for pharmaceuticals or high-tech screening tests are reviewed in
the Feb. 14, 2002 New England Journal of Medicine. Does seeing
cholesterol-lowering drug ads on TV educate patients? Does it make them
healthier? Or do these ads instead drive up drug and health care costs and make
folks nervous and anxious? Check out NEJM and decide. See what some New York
docs and students are saying about the annual $15.7 billion spent on
pharmaceutical promotion at the No Free Lunch Web site (www.nofreelunch.org).