No. 410, November 2007
Editor: Kathleen Watson, M.D., drwatson@umn.edu
Editorial Assistant: Allison Campbell Jensen, aac@umn.edu
In this issue:
NEWS
STUDENTS
FACULTY
EVENTS and NOTICES: Nov. 17 White Coat Ceremony and more
RECOMMENDED READING
NEWS
MED 2010: Report on using portfolios in one-on-one mentoring
"We have just completed our first round of portfolio reviews," writes James Nixon, M.D. "It has been great meeting with the students and hearing about their varied backgrounds, their successes to date in medical school, their concerns, hopes and future aspirations. What a privilege to have the opportunity to connect with students in this way! Obviously this has been a time commitment for both faculty and students, but so far the consensus is that it is time well spent. We will be discussing the reviews more at our upcoming November faculty development session, but I encourage you to share with me your successes (what has worked well) and opportunities for improvement and perhaps we can all make some midcourse improvements to the process. Remember, this is our year to work out the kinks and we are all learning." Note also that the e-portfolio continues to be updated and streamlined so your input will improve this important tool. The one-on-one mentoring sessions are part of proposed learning communities, a part of MED 2010.
Empowering Seminar offers insights to future multicultural physicians
In applying to medical schools, Isahaq Abdullahi told a group of 18 people who aspire to become physicians, the personal statement "is an opportunity to sell yourself as a person." He, Liz Medina Alm, and Jonathan Silva all are second-year medical students and officers of the U of M chapter of the Student National Medical Association. The SNMA is dedicated to serving the health and education of members of underserved communities. The medical students spoke at the Oct. 23 session of the Empowering Multicultural Students for Careers in Medicine Seminar. Now in its eighth year, the seminar is an eight-session medical school application preparation course offered annually by the Medical School's Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity. The head of OMAD, Mary Tate, also gave direction to the students to help them apply to medical school: "Start now to record your experiences" such as shadowing, volunteering in medical settings, and participating in courses like the Empowering Seminar. Twelve who have taken part in the program currently are enrolled in our Medical School, eight alumni already have earned M.D.'s, and two have earned or are pursuing public health degrees. Please join me in wishing success to our Empowering Seminar participants.
In memoriam: RPAP founder Jack Verby
John "Jack" Verby, founder of the University of Minnesota Rural Physician Associate Program, died on Oct. 23, 2007. Macaran Baird, M.D., M.S., wrote of Verby: "He has been a mentor to many, including me, and a pioneering and creative clinical medical educator for all. RPAP remains his most notable contribution to medical education. It is viewed by many to be among the best longitudinal clinical educational experiences in the U.S. and was recently noted internationally for being among the most exciting and enduring educational innovations ever created by the University of Minnesota Medical School." His funeral took place Oct. 27; memorials contributions can be made to the YMCA of Greater St. Paul, Verby Endowment Fund, 2125 E. Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55413.
Anatomy Memorial Service
Our anatomy students have invited family of donors to a memorial service honoring those whose contribution has been an essential part of their medical education. The Anatomy Memorial Service takes place 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2007, at the Ted Mann Concert Hall, 2128 Fourth St, S., Minneapolis. Loved ones of donors may gather at 6:30 p.m.; the program begins at 7 p.m. An informal reception follows. Parking is available at the 21st Avenue Ramp, West Bank. Attendees should bring their parking tickets to be validated at the service.
STUDENTS
U of M SNMA students' poster rated tops at regional conference
"Organizing a Large Scale Health Fair," a poster about the second annual SNMA Mall of America Health Fair by Liz Medina Alm and Zeke McKinney, came in first at the recent Student National Medical Association regional conference in Madison. Alm is co-president of the U of M chapter of SNMA; McKinney is co-vice president and webmaster; both are second-year medical students. Among the facts on their attractive and informative poster were that they expected 250 participants and hosted about 600. "This health fair showcased the cooperative talents of medical students, hospital staff, numerous physicians, and many health care programs to service the greater Twin City community," says Alm. "SNMA was proud to host this event and we look forward to an even greater turnout next spring."A variety of screenings and a wealth of health information were offered, with the help of partners, including: Fairview Health Systems, Sight Savers, U of M Medical School Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity, National Bone Marrow Program, and the American Heart Association.
Profile of M.D./Ph.D. student Krissy Kallestad
"I knew before starting med school that I wanted to do the M.D./Ph.D., but I wasn't originally accepted into the program," notes Krissy Kallestad, as she pondered her pursuit of the dual degree. Hard work and perseverance paid off, however, as Kallestad was awarded the esteemed Howard Hughes Medical Research Fellowship in her second year of medical school. After spending a year conducting research, she reapplied and gained admittance into the prestigious M.D./Ph.D. program; she is now in her fifth year of a program that typically takes from 8 to 9 years. Today, Kallestad spends 30 to 40 hours per week investigating muscular dystrophy in the lab of Linda McLoon, Ph.D. Specifically, she explores regenerative muscle cells as a possible source of therapeutic alternatives. "There's a big push to investigate adult-derived stem cells," says Kallestad. "If we can find a cell that's capable of regenerating muscles, we can potentially treat people who are suffering from muscular dystrophy." Asked how she found herself amidst this research, Kallestad says: "During my first year of medical school, Linda had a question that I had the ability to answer.... I filled a need in her lab and it blossomed into a big project." The duo has been working together ever since, and they continue to make strides in their investigation.
Laube on CNN: holistic view of his medical education
Medical student Justin Laube is holding on to his ideals of serving others and his commitment to holistic health, as he described in his essay posted on CNN. "The patient-physician interaction should be viewed as a relationship of equals, not a hierarchy," he wrote. "It is in this partnership that positive life change can be fostered."
AOA senior class initiates
The U of M Medical School chapter of the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society announced its Class of 2008 initiates in October. Please join me in extending congratulations to: Brianne Barnett, Joanna Burns, Devon Dannen, Tyler Dunphy, Laura Evavold, Laura Freeman, Adam Gess, Jacob Hodge, Daniel Keys, Colleen Kniffin, Meghan Lelonek, Heather Nelson, Joshua Olson, Kristi Parks, Scott Perkinson, Somnath Prabhu, Natalie Roeser, Joseph Rohrer, Laura Speltz, Elliot Stephenson, Matthew Taintor, Jonathan Williams, Katie Willihnganz, Justin Wudel, and Andrea Zins.
Student Council: New committees
Student Council continues work hard through the fall. We had a fruitful fall retreat and have now broken into committees to improve our school. This year's committees include: Alumni Relations, Communication, Social Activities, Facilities and Study Space, and Technology. As always, if you have any ideas, concerns or thoughts regarding these topics of any others, please email sayl0039@umn.edu. Student Council is here to serve you!
Wilderness Life Support course--registration extended to Nov. 15
Medical students, residents, and other health professional students can sign up for the Advanced Wilderness Life Support course until Nov. 15. The 17.5-hour course provides a practical foundation in wilderness medicine. Participants will learn patient assessment and treatment guidelines for life support until definitive care or evacuation is available, among other skills. The certificate earned is good for four years. The course takes place Dec. 18-22, near Bemidji; registration cost is $165, with lodging extra. If you still have questions after viewing the Web page, e-mail Katie Pastorius (past0030@umn.edu).
Health & Medical Journalism course offered this spring
Medical students are invited to enroll in Journalism 5155 Advanced Reporting: Health & Medical Journalism, offered Spring 2008 and taught by veteran health journalist Professor Gary Schwitzer. Students will learn how health care news fits in the culture of today's journalism; analyze examples of excellence in health journalism in different media and formats; and work on multi-platform projects to cover health topics creatively, accurately and with balance. Questions? Contact Gary Schwitzer at 6-4637 or at schwitz@umn.edu.
Medical students invited to nutrition seminar, live or online
From a presentation by McKnight Presidential Professor Mimi Yu, Ph.D. (Department of Medicine) to the " Effects of an Isolated Fiber from Fenugreek on Satiety, Glucose and Insulin Response in Obese Individuals," the Food Science and Nutrition Graduate Student Seminar this month covers a variety of topics that may interest medical students. Medical students are invited to attend 3:30-4:30 p.m., (except 4-5 p.m., Nov. 13, when Yu speaks) Tuesdays, in room 23, Food Science and Nutrition building, St. Paul campus, at the corner of Eckles and Commonwealth Avenues. Or they may connect online during the seminars or view Web casts afterwards. For a complete schedule and more information, go to: http://fscn.cfans.umn.edu/grad_students/fs_grad_students/seminar.html
Choosing an advisor, de-mystified
Theodore Thompson, M.D., and other medical education leaders will lead a session on scheduling of clerkships and courses for Years 3 and 4 and selection of a clinical advisor Tuesday, Nov. 27 on the Duluth campus. Watch for more details.
Research opportunities: departmental contacts added
Medical students seeking research opportunities are encouraged to check out the listings on the Medical Education Web site. New to the page: A list of faculty contacts, by department, who will guide students to faculty members with specific interests.
Calling all students: For future issues, we'd love to hear your news about volunteer efforts, research work, or medical experiences in new environments. Send an e-mail to Allison Campbell Jensen, aac@umn.edu.
FACULTY
Heller elected chair of AHC FCC
Lois Heller, Ph.D., professor in the Medical School--Duluth Campus department of Physiology and Pharmacology, has been elected chair of the University-wide Academic Health Center Faculty Consultative Committee (AHC-FCC). This is the first time a member of the Duluth AHC faculty has served in this role. Heller has been a member of the committee for five years. The committee meets regularly with Frank Cerra, senior vice president for health sciences, to discuss and advise on matters of concern to the AHC faculty. Included in the committee's responsibilities are oversight of selection procedures for the Academy for Excellence in Health Research and the new Academy for Excellence in Scholarship of Teaching and Learning; planning an annual AHC faculty forum; and identification of common faculty concerns.
Pololi speaks at forum: "Creating Successful Mentoring Relationships," Nov. 2
Peer-mentoring expert Linda Pololi, M.B.B.S, is the keynote speaker at the AHC Faculty Forum, 8:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m., McNamara Center. Pololi, now resident scholar at Brandeis University Women's Studies Research Center, has held medical school faculty positions at Brown University, East Carolina University, and the Universities of Illinois and Massachusetts. As principal investigator and founding director for a U.S. Public Health Service-funded National Center of Leadership in Academic Medicine, she designed and implemented effective model mentoring programs for faculty to promote their advancement into leadership positions and to enhance gender equity in academic medicine. All faculty are invited; to register or for more information, see http://www.ahc.umn.edu/faculty/mentoring/ .
Visit report: Medical educator Hatem from Harvard
Esteemed medical educator Charles Hatem, M.D., addressed two audiences at the Medical School on October 19. Hatem shared Eight Strategies for Effective Clinical Teaching with clerkship directors and staff from the Office of Education in the first session. Hatem used personal anecdotes, historical footnotes, and even clips from Dead Poets Society to reinforce best practices and trigger discussion. In the second session, Concepts of Renewal for Mid-Career and Senior Faculty, Dr. Hatem provided the keynote address, "Snow on the Roof--Fire in the Furnace," as part of a half-day workshop for 30 mid-career and senior medical school faculty. Hatem provided a motivation mosaic for attendees that accentuated reaffirmation by faculty of the rewarding aspects of being a faculty member within a medical school. He also described practical strategies for clinical and basic science faculty to begin to re-examine their own professional activities in light of what energizes them as faculty, and well as meshes with departmental and institutional priorities. Hatem is the Harold Amos Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, director of the Center for Teaching and Learning within the HMS Academy, co-director of the Mt. Auburn, Rabkin, and Academy Fellowships in Medical Education and director of Medical Education at Mount Auburn Hospital.
New Boman fellow to be named Nov. 7 at Duluth campus event
A woman Ph.D. candidate in cancer research will receive the Annette L. Boman Fellowship award at a cancer-research symposium the evening of Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007 at the University of Minnesota Medical School - Duluth Campus. The event honors the memory of Annette Boman, a gifted researcher, wife, and mother of two young children, who died in 2003 as a result of complications from cancer. Kenneth Dornfeld, M.D., from St. Mary's Duluth Clinic will be the keynote speaker. Lester R. Drewes, Ph.D., will announce the award recipient at the event. Speakers from the Duluth Campus will include Anya Gybina, Ph.D. candidate and past fellowship recipient, Teresa Rose-Hellekant, D.V.M., Ph.D., and Robert Cormier Ph.D.
Nov. 7 Phillips Neighborhood Clinic benefit: The Art of Caring
The Art of Caring benefit to support the Phillips Neighborhood Clinic will include art, hors d'oeuvres, entertainment, and the chance to bid on items at the silent auction. Advance tickets ($20; $10 for students) are available at www.phillips.neighborhoodclinic.com. The benefit takes place 5:30-8:30 p.m., Nov. 7, at Frederick R. Weisman Museum; tickets at the door are $25 or $15 for students. Phillips Neighborhood Clinic is a free clinic operated by more than 100 University of Minnesota students from the fields of medicine, nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, and public health. The clinic, founded by John Song, M.D., M.P.H., M.A.T., in 2002 is now under the supervision of Brian Sick, M.D., with the operational support of the University of Minnesota Physicians. It has a two-fold mission: to provide diverse citizens of the Twin Cities free access to culturally sensitive, high-quality health care, while providing students the experience and skills to effectively and compassionately work in underserved communities. Currently, the clinic operates Monday evenings from 6-9 p.m., but the students hope to open for a second night each week. Up to 10 patients typically are seen per night, but as the clinic's presence in the community grows, so does the patient load. The clinic's expansion depends on support from health professionals and the community. There are a number of ways to help: Licensed health professionals can volunteer to precept at the clinic one night every two months; make a tax-deductible financial donation; or, attend the 2007 Art of Caring benefit 5:30-8:30p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 7, at the Weisman Art Museum. Questions? Contact: raja0075@umn.edu .
White Coat Ceremony Nov. 17 in Twin Cities
During the White Coat Ceremony, first-year students symbolically don the professionalism and responsibilities of becoming a physician along with their first white coats. Families and friends are encouraged to attend the ceremony, which begins at 2 p.m., Nov. 17, in Northrop Auditorium. The speakers include Maria Hordinsky, M.D., and Medicine resident Mrinal Patnaik, M.D. An honor drum song will be performed by American Indian students and alumni of the University of Minnesota Medical School. On the Duluth campus, about 375 people attended the White Coat event that took place Oct. 6.
Symposium on proteomics and nanomedicine, Nov. 12-14
Peter Agre, M.D., a Minnesota native who was a recipient of the 2003 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, will give the keynote speech at "Frontiers in Proteomics and Nanomedicine," November 12-14, in Mayo Auditorium. This collaborative symposium, with faculty from the University of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic, and the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, is open to all faculty and students. Please watch for more information regarding this event. Or, for required but free registration, go to www.cmecourses.umn.edu or call 612-626-7600.
Family Medicine Grand Rounds on integrative and holistic health care, Nov. 28
"What Every Family Physician Needs to Know about Integrative and Holistic Health Care," a Department of Family Medicine and Community Health Grand Rounds, takes place 12:15-1:15 p.m., Nov. 28, in Moos 1-450. Speakers are Karen Lawson, M.D., and Bill Manahan, M.D. The program is presented by the U of M's Center for Spirituality and Healing and the Mankato Family Medicine Residency.
New Dean's Report looks back to the future
The new 2007 Dean's Report features the past and future of cardiovascular research and care at the Medical School, a fresh look at students taking advantage of the Flexible M.D., the promise offered by researchers watching brains at work, and extending the benefits of BMT to new patients. The latest report is available online as a PDF, from a link on the home page (www.med.umn.edu). In addition, printed copies are available from Allison Campbell Jensen, aac@umn.edu.
Medical Bulletin available online
Keeping up with University of Minnesota Medical School news just got easier. Now you can sign up to receive the latest Medical Bulletin headlines--with links to all the current stories--via e-mail. It's simple to subscribe at www.mmf.umn.edu/mb/subscribe. You can always view the entire Medical Bulletin, as well as past issues, online at www.mmf.umn.edu/bulletin.
POEM AND RECOMMENDED READING
The armful
For every parcel I stoop down to seize
I lose some other off my arms and knees,
And the whole pile is slipping, bottles, buns,
Extremes too hard to comprehend at once
Yet nothing I should care to leave behind.
With all I have to hold with~ hand and mind
And heart, if need be, I will do my best.
To keep their building balanced at my breast.
I crouch down to prevent them as they fall;
Then sit down in the middle of them all.
I had to drop the armful in the road
And try to stack them in a better load.
--Robert Frost
Dr. Watson recommends:
Renewal in the practice of medicine. Charles J. Hatem. Patient education and counseling 62(2006) 299-301. "Professional hypocrisy--dispensing to others yet personally ignoring advice about leading a balanced life--is not a new problem for medical practitioners. This pernicious paradox leads us into the sad irony of caring for patients while neglecting ourselves and those close to us... . Yet we need not succumb to these troubles."
