med ed
A newsletter for faculty, staff, and students of the University of Minnesota Medical School

No. 393, June 2006

Editor: Kathleen Watson, M.D., drwatson@umn.edu

Editorial Assistant: Allison Campbell Jensen, aac@umn.edu

View Past Issues

MED 2010 work groups moving ahead

Dean Deborah E. Powell, M.D., at a May 10 orientation reminded MED 2010 work group leaders that "the University of Minnesota Medical School has been educating excellent physicians for more than a century. We cannot rely on past accomplishments, however, in today's rapidly changing environment." The MED 2010 project members, charged with developing learner-centered education for patient-centered care, recognize that:

· Students learn differently today than in the past -- and technology and educational theory continue to advance swiftly;

· Health care delivery has changed greatly -- and it continues to evolve; and,

· Our medical students deserve the most flexible and up-to-date education possible -- a foundation as they become life-long learners for their medical careers.

At the meeting, Powell, Kathleen Watson, M.D., and Linda Perkowski, Ph.D., gave charges and a timeline to MED 2010 work groups leaders (for the list of leaders, go to http://www.med.umn.edu/education/curriculum/members/home.html). These leaders will convene their work groups this summer with the aim of producing an early October interim report on vision, goals, culture, resources, work plan, and more. Watch for updates on the MED 2010 Web site or submit questions via the MED 2010 FAQ page (http://www.med.umn.edu/education/curriculum/faq/home.html ).

Meet Shaquita Bell, Class of 2006

"I'm sure there's some German and Dutch in there, too," jokes Shaquita Bell, reflecting on her ethnic heritage. One of our Medical School's May graduates, Bell also has Native American and African American roots -- truly an all-American melting pot of cultures. Following her graduation from Drake University, Bell returned to her hometown of Minneapolis to begin her medical-school adventure. "I didn't always know that I wanted to go to medical school...things just started rolling for me," says Bell.  And roll they did, as she became involved in the Student National Medical Association.  Bell was elected president of the local chapter and was later named as the National Multicultural Affairs Coordinator.  Her accomplishments, however, do not stop here.  She recently was named to the Gold Humanism Society and, after nominations by her peers, received the Leonard Tow Humanism Award.  "We need more compassion in doctors," says Bell, "and to know that my classmates can see those characteristics in me is really an honor."  This summer, Bell will be starting her pediatric residency at the Seattle Children's Hospital and hopes to one day become a sub-specialist in pediatric emergency medicine. --by Emily Jensen

Students help improve care at HCMC's new Center for Urban Health

First-year student Travis Olives and newly admitted student Tom Kurvers will intern this summer at the new Center for Urban Health at Hennepin County Medical Center. Olives will help field-test a tool kit on patient-centered communication developed by the AMA's Institute of Ethics, and Kurvers will help conduct a study on health literacy in Spanish speakers.  The Center for Urban Health coordinates HCMC programmatic and research activities addressing the health needs of vulnerable urban populations. The center also provides opportunities for medical students to engage in community connections, research and education with these groups. For more information, see the Web site (www.CenterForUrbanHealth.org).

First Native Youth Health Summit hosted by CAIMH

The Center of American Indian and Minority Health hosted the First Native Youth Health Summit at the Medical School, Duluth campus, May 27, 2006.  Among the more than 80 participants were 48 students, about a dozen parents, and some 20 community members from the northeastern American Indian Communities.  Keynote speaker, Evan Adams, M.D., a physician and actor, talked to participants about the importance of believing in oneself and understanding the richness that their culture brings to their lives and profession. Evans also talked to students during two workshops in the afternoon.  Medical students, physicians, and community volunteers helped students learn how to suture a pig's foot and make lip balm from natural medicines. Adams is Director of the Division of Aboriginal People's Health, Department of Family Practice and Site Director at the Aboriginal Residency Program at the University of British Columbia.  He also is well-known for his role as Thomas Builds-The-Fire in the feature film Smoke Signals.  During his visit to Duluth, he also presented "Enhancing Competency in Cross-Cultural Medicine" at St. Mary's/Duluth Clinic and met with community members.

Kudos to Distinguished Teachers and award-winning students

At year's end, a few more important awards to faculty and students were announced. Winners of the student-nominated Year 4 Distinguished Teaching Awards for 2006 are Mark Bixby, M.D. (Distinguished Clinical Teacher Award), and Rafael Santana-Davila, M.D., and Tobias Kohler, M.D. (Distinguished Medical Resident Teacher Awards). Rocco Ricciardi, M.D., was chosen as the Year 3 Distinguished Clinical Teacher for 2006, and Paul Vietzen, M.D., as Year 3 Resident Teacher for 2006. Gregory Vercellotti, M.D., was chosen for the Year 2 Distinguished Teaching Award for 2006. The Metropolitan-Mount Sinai Medical Student Awards are given to students who show promise for becoming superior physicians or clinicians. The fourth-year recipient of the Metropolitan-Mount Sinai Medical Student Award for 2006 is Shaquita Bell. Andrew Shippel was the Year 2 recipient of the Metropolitan-Mt. Sinai Medical Student Award for 2006. Please join me in congratulating them all.

Two faculty members named Bush Medical Fellows

Among the 12 Bush Medical Fellows for 2006, two are U of M Medical School faculty who will develop their skills in health communication, outreach, and education. June LaValleur, M.D., plans to focus on Greater Minnesota by writing a column on women's health for weekly newspapers, as well as working through the Area Health Education Center network to establish a stakeholder group from the public and physicians from rural Minnesota. LaValleur has a special interest because she grew up on a farm near Ashby, Minn., and lived in small Minnesota communities for 41 years, until she came to Medical School. In her role as course director for ob/gyn, she also will use Bush support to increase online interactive learning and teaching through simulation. Jon Hallberg, M.D., will learn to produce audio documentaries, an extension of his regular appearances on Minnesota Public Radio's All Things Considered, take a class on photography, and attend an NIH-sponsored conference titled Medicine and the Media. He expects these projects ultimately to benefit the medical students whom he mentors and teaches.

Grant received for education in chronic illness care

Our Medical School was one of 10 medical schools (out of 43 applicants) selected for the Chronic Illness Care Education grant from the Josiah Macy, Jr. Foundation. About 75 percent of all health-care costs nationally is spent on those with chronic illnesses -- yet typical medical education programs have not addressed this aspect of care. Support for these two-year projects will be provided through the Institute for Improving Medical Education of the Association of American Medical Colleges.

Successful Best Practices Institute: Teaching in the Health Professions

The first AHC-sponsored Institute, Best Practices in Teaching in the Health Professions, was held May 11-12, 2006. Attended by more than 110 faculty and staff, the Institute featured five keynote presentations and more than 20 workshops conducted primarily by talented educators from the six U of M health professions schools. Participants valued the opportunity to enhance their skills as educators and to share ideas in an interprofessional forum.

Medical student essay contest: Deadline June 16

Medical students are invited to submit essays, case reports, review articles, or original research about psychiatry to the 14^th annual Stanley M. Kaplan Essay Contest. The winner will receive $500. Kaplan is an emeritus professor of psychiatry at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Entries will be judged on creativity, knowledge of psychiatry, style, and contribution to understanding of important psychiatric issues. Entries should be postmarked by June 16, 2006, and sent or e-mailed to: Lesley M. Arnold, M.D., Department of Psychiatry, UC College of Medicine, P.O. Box 670559, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0599, lesley.arnold@uc.edu.

Literary inspiration

A note written in the childhood arithmetic book of Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln,

His hand and pen:

He will be good

But God knows When.