January 2008, Issue 412
Editor: Kathleen Watson, M.D., drwatson@umn.edu
Editorial Assistant: Allison Campbell Jensen, aac@umn.edu
News | Students | Faculty | Events/Notices | Poem
NEWS
Recognizing excellence: Medical School honors for faculty and students
Recognize excellence by nominating your faculty members, peers, students, and mentors for Medical School honors and awards funded by donors to the Minnesota Medical Foundation. Feb. 1 is the deadline for many of these awards and honors, which give members of our Medical School community well-deserved recognition for their outstanding work.
Recognizing excellence in teaching and learning: new AHC Academy
Another initiative to recognize excellence in education, the Academic Health Center Academy for Excellence in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, has been added to the existing Academy of Excellence in Health Research. Nominate outstanding faculty members to these prestigious awards, which include $10,000 annually for five years to support education and research. Deadlines are Feb. 22 for Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, March 14 for Health Research.
Alpha Omega Alpha Celebrates 100 Years at the University of Minnesota
On December 5, 2007, more than 80 guests gathered to induct the 100th class of medical students to the University of Minnesota's Chapter of the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. The evening featured keynote speaker Dr. Edward D. Harris Jr., Executive Secretary of AOA, a tribute to Dr. James H. House, who has served as Chapter Councilor for the past 20 years, and the announcement of an endowed scholarship fund. In the past decade, AOA has awarded more than $135,000 to assist more than 70 University of Minnesota medical students.
Reviewers for competencies sought
Reviewers from our wider medical community are needed to examine proposed competencies, as the Medical School prepares to move from a time-based to a competency-based medical educational program. It is estimated that a half-hour is needed for reviewing each competency. A competency is a complex set of behaviors that integrates knowledge, skills and attitudes. It offers a high-level perspective, such as: "Solve clinical problems using deductive reasoning." This broad statement implies a physician has a solid foundation in scientific information, the clinical understanding to ask appropriate questions, a solution-oriented perspective, and the ability to synthesize. To volunteer or for more information, contact (until Jan. 8) Majka Woods, woods106@umn.edu, or (Jan. 8 or afterwards) MED 2010 coordinator Leslie Anderson, ande4018@umn.edu or 612-624-9473.
Scholarship named for Assistant Dean Paul White
The Paul T. White, J.D., Scholarship Fund was created by David S. Rose and his wife, Gail R. Gremse, in recognition of White's commitment as a dedicated admissions professional. Rose and White were classmates at Yale University and graduated together in 1979. White, whose career began at Yale's Office of Undergraduate admissions, has been affiliated with the University of Minnesota Medical School since August 2006 as director of Admissions. In July 2007, his title was changed to assistant dean of admissions. The purpose of this Minnesota Medical Foundation fund is to provide scholarships to students with demonstrated financial need at the University of Minnesota Medical School.
STUDENTS
Scheduling for clinical rotations: Jan. 7
Insights into scheduling for clinical rotations for Twin Cities campus medical students will be offered by Theodore Thompson, M.D., starting at 12:15 p.m., Jan. 7, in Moos 2-650.
Jan. 10 & 11: Deadlines for Howard Hughes Medical Institute fellowships
Funding for second- or third-year students interested in research is available through two programs from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. In the past few years, our Medical School has had five students accepted for these highly competitive programs. The HHMI Research Scholars Program (www.hhmi.org/cloister/rsp) targets research-motivated second- or third-year students who would want to spend a year with an investigator at the National Institutes of Health. The deadline for application is Jan. 10, 2007. The HHMI Research Medical Fellowships (www.hhmi.org/medfellowships/viewbook) also targets research-motivated second- or third-year students who would consider spending a full year with a faculty member at the University of Minnesota, another academic institution in the United States, or possibly abroad. The deadline for application is Jan. 11, 2007. Please call 612-626-3287 for help with applications or further information about the programs.
Office of Clinical Research grants for summer fellowships: Feb. 1 deadline
Most medical students are eligible to apply for 8-10 week summer fellowships that begin in summer 2008. Fellows chosen will be matched with established investigators on an ongoing clinical or translational research project. Small group weekly seminars will also be held, focusing on research ethics, good clinical practice, grant writing, and the responsible conduct of research.
Alfred F. Michael Medical Student Research Colloquium, March 10, 2007
Richard Hodin, M.D., chief of endocrine surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital Division of General Surgery, will present a lecture honoring the student research experience as part of the sixth annual Medical Student Research Day, Monday, March 10, 2007, in Mayo Auditorium. Hodin, whose lecture begins at 4:30 p.m., studies the molecular mechanisms of intestinal epithelial growth and differentiation. Students enrolled in Medical School are invited to submit an abstract of their research work by Feb. 29. Their research will be displayed as posters, 2:30-4:30 p.m., March 10, outside the auditorium. It will be the responsibility of the student and his or her faculty mentor to prepare the posters. Medical student researchers, their faculty mentors, and guests are invited to a reception 3:30-4:30 p.m. For more information, contact the Medical School Dean's Office at 612-626-3287 or rsrchday@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 612-626-4637 or at schwitz@umn.edu.
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
Faculty development: Advising 101 offered Jan. 8
Faculty new to advising medical students in their clinical years as well as those who wish to refresh their knowledge are encouraged to come to a faculty development session Jan. 8. Starting at 7:30 a.m., in Mayo B646, the session will cover advising basics and include information on curriculum. For more information, contact Ewa Ushio, ushio001@umn.edu, 612-625-6101.
Edwin W. Haller, 1936-2007
Edwin "Ed" W. Haller, Ph.D., 71, passed away Dec. 12, 2007, from complications of a brain tumor. A professor emeritus at the University of Minnesota Medical School - Duluth Campus, he once said: "Early on, I learned that life is precious, that time moves only forward, that history making is our daily act. Therefore, my goal has always been to reach out to others and to seek ways of understanding others, because peace is one of our most precious gifts." In 1971, Haller came to Duluth as a professor of physiology. His research interests included neuroendocrine function of the pituitary gland and regulation of carbohydrate metabolism. Haller also encouraged and supported the development of the Native American physician-education program, now called the Center of American Indian and Minority Health, which has become among the preeminent programs in the country. Arne Vainio, M.D., an alumnus of the Medical School now practicing on the Fond du Lac Reservation, wrote an article about giving thanks to Ed approximately two months before his death. A celebration of his life took place Dec. 22. Memorial donations can be made to the MMF Edwin Haller Scholarship Fund for students, with special consideration to Native American students.
EVENTS & NOTICES
Feb. 7 lecture examines Nazi doctors' lessons for today
The Legacy of the Nazi Doctors' Trial for American Bioethics and International Human Rights Law will be presented by George J. Annas, J.D., M.P.H., 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Feb. 7, in Coffman Theatre. This 2008 Deinard Memorial Lecture on Law and Medicine will include commentary by Medical School faculty Steven Miles, M.D., and Political Science Regents Professor Kathryn Sikkink, Ph.D. Annas is the Edward R. Utley Professor and Chair of the Department of Health Law, Bioethics & Human Rights of Boston University School of Public Health, and professor in the Boston University School of Medicine, and School of Law. He is the cofounder of Global Lawyers and Physicians, a transnational professional association of lawyers and physicians working together to promote human rights and health.
Save the date: April 18 for Health Improvement Project posters
On April 18, first- and second-year medical students in Physician and Society will present posters describing their Health Improvement Projects. Watch for details on time and place.
Harassment resources and policies available online
The University of Minnesota has strong policies against harassment and offers resources to students, faculty and staff. Addressing harassment and discrimination is a responsibility for each of us. For information, see the Medical Student Handbook on racial or ethnic harassment or sexual harassment. To report an incident, contact Medical School Equal Opportunity Officer Mary Tate, 612-625-1494.
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.
POEM
Heart
Its hinges rustless,
restless; opening
and shutting on trust.
~
We guard it;
it guides us.
Gods lack it.
Vacant their gaze.
~
Doctors listen
to its cryptic
lisp.
From sacred
to scared—a few
beats skipped,
a letter slipped.
~
Cavity and spasm;
a spark can start
it; parting stop it.
Such a radiant husk
to hive our dust!
—From The Caged Owl: New and Selected Poems by Gregory Orr.
