March 2008, Issue 414
Editor: Kathleen Watson, M.D., drwatson@umn.edu
Editorial Assistant: Allison Campbell Jensen, aac@umn.edu
News | Students | Faculty | Events/Notices
NEWS
Competencies being defined
The MED 2010 initiative is making progress defining competencies for medical students, with the help of nearly 200 faculty. The MED 2010 group has defined seven categories of knowledge, skills and attitudes that align with the core ACGME competencies to ensure a smooth transition from medical school to residency. The first phase of defining competencies is slated for completion in July.
Legislative hearing on Biomedical Research Program well-attended
The House Capital Investment Finance Division Committee heard testimony Feb. 28 about the Minnesota Biomedical Research Program from Robert Bruininks, Ph.D., president of the University, Frank B. Cerra, M.D., senior vice president for health sciences, Richard Pfutzenreuter, vice president and University CFO, and Daniel J. Garry, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Lillehei Heart Institute. Faculty and staff from the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, Brain Sciences Center, Cancer Center, Center for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Translational Research, Medical Education, Office of Clinical Research, and many other units filled the hearing room. Thanks to all who attended and showed their support. The four buildings in the program would continue our focus on strengths in imaging, cancer research, cardiovascular research, and infectious disease and neurology, while promoting retention and recruitment of scientists and physicians. The entire Medical School and the U would benefit from this investment. The committee voted to move the bonding proposal forward.
New admissions prerequisites online
The new admissions prerequisites for students seeking to enroll in 2009 and beyond are described online. Along with a listing, Paul T. White, J.D., assistant dean of admissions, provides a video presentation that answers frequently asked questions.
Steering committee meets monthly to guide administrative process
Organizational consultants Maureen Swan and Nancy DeZellar Walsh have been working with a steering committee in the Office of Education to assist our administration in advancing the implementation of MED 2010. Progress on top priority initiatives are reviewed at monthly meetings of the steering committee. Serving on the committee are: Medical School Dean Deborah E. Powell, M.D.; Leslie Anderson, MED 2010 coordinator; Lindsey Henson, M.D., Ph.D., who will assume vice dean of education position on April 1; Allison Campbell Jensen, communications director; Mark Kondrak, director of academic technology; Dorcas Michaelson, director of human resources; Linda Perkowski, Ph.D., associate dean for curriculum and evaluation; Patricia Mulcahy, associate dean for academic administration; Kathleen Watson, M.D., associate dean for students and student learning; and Paul T. White, J.D., assistant dean for admissions.
Simulation portal launches
This May, third-year students in the 7500 Surgery Clerkship will say goodbye to the old curriculum with the introduction of a new simulation portal. “We’re adding an extra level of education prior to patient contact,” says Surgery Clerkship Director Robert Acton, M.D., who pioneered the labs with colleague Connie Schmitz, Ph.D. Once a week, students will practice suturing, knot tying, bedside procedures, and more, using towels, pig feet, and silicon models. Acton says these labs will standardize education, allowing for a more uniform method of evaluation.
Season finale for Doctors on Call
Doctors on Call completed its 26th season on February 21 in Duluth. This season, the show offered a unique program when Doctors on Call and another popular public television call-in program, Lawyers on the Line, teamed up for the live special, "End-of-Life Planning and Decisions." A panel of area physicians and attorneys tackled viewer questions and helped give insight to this important and often difficult subject. Doctors on Call is a live call-in program and our medical students take the initial calls from the public. Medical School faculty Ray Christensen, M.D., Alan Johns, M.D., Jeff Adams, M.D., and Ruth Westra, O.D., participate as hosts or panelists. The show also utilizes physicians from the Iron Range, Duluth, and Superior Wisconsin as panelists.
STUDENTS
Bramante goes to Washington
Our medical student Carolyn Bramante joined members of the Physicians for Human Rights Student Chapter for a Summit on HIV/AIDS, Women, and Human Rights in Washington, D.C., in February. She was one of three students and more than 30 health professional experts on women and AIDS who met with members of Congress and their staff to educate them about women and AIDS in Africa. “The sheer concept of lives, let alone millions of lives, being devastated by this disease is immensely challenging…,” says Bramante. “When you think about this, the idea that insufficient funding goes to research the most effective ways to prevent transmission is distressing to say the least.” She believes that their visit helped move the dialogue forward as Congress considers re-authorizing the global AIDS initiative.
Student Council news
The Medical Student Council hosted a fabulous Medical School Ball during February at the Radisson downtown - great turnout! Thank you MS3s for heading the charge. Another prominent issue has been furthering our technological support and collaboration with the administration. We continue to have monthly meetings the first Thursday of each month in Mayo at 6:15 p.m. Please join use if you'd like or e-mail sayl0039@umn.edu with any issues that you would like addressed.
April deadlines for Connections and the Summer Internship in Medicine program
Opportunities for first-year medical students include learning from physicians in rural and Twin Cities locations through one of two programs. First-year medical students may apply for summer internships in rural medicine by contacting Ray Christensen, M.D. (rchriste@d.umn.edu ), or Lori Isaacson (lisaacso@d.umn.edu). Applicants must be registered for the summer session; the deadline is April 7. In the Twin Cities area, the Connections program matches first-year medical students with preceptors for a three-week experience. The deadline is April 11; for more information or to apply, contact Katrina McGill (kdmcgill@umn.edu).
FACULTY
Kudos to Katz, as he receives U teaching award
Please join me in extending hearty congratulations to Stephen A. Katz, Ph.D., Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, who was the only Medical School faculty member this year chosen to receive one of the University of Minnesota 2007-08 Award for Outstanding Contributions to Postbaccalaureate, Graduate, and Professional Education. This is a highly competitive award given to those who exemplify commitment to the highest quality of teaching. Katz joins a very distinguished group of faculty and will be inducted into the Academy of Distinguished Teachers.
Wittmers named head of Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Duluth campus
Lorentz Wittmers, Jr., Ph.D., M.D., has been named the head of the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology on the Duluth campus. Previously he had been the interim head. Wittmers is known internationally for his research on hypothermia. An associate professor, he holds the Edwin Eddy Endowed Professorship, is director of graduate studies in Physiology, and is a graduate school advisor.
Best Practices Institute, May 20-21, 2008
The Medical School, in collaboration with the five other schools of the Academic Health Center—the School of Dentistry, School of Nursing, College of Pharmacy, School of Public Health, and the College of Veterinary Medicine—are pleased to provide (free of charge) the third annual Best Practices Institute: Advancing Critical Thinking in Health Professions Education on May 20- 21, 2008, on the Minneapolis campus of the University. A committee consisting of representatives of the six health professions schools and the Health Sciences Library are planning a wide range of plenary and workshop offerings that will benefit faculty across the disciplines. Registration and course details will be available in early March at www.bpinstitute.umn.edu. If you have not already done so, be sure to mark your calendars with this unique inter-professional education opportunity.
EVENTS & NOTICES
Write Winning Grants seminar
This grant-writing seminar, sponsored by the Office of Clinical Research, will be held from 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., March 25, at the Holiday Inn Metrodome. Both practical and conceptual aspects important to the proposal-writing process are discussed in detail. For more information and to register, go to: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/ocr/writewinninggrants.
Interprofessional Education gains Web site
The Center for Interprofessional Education is now on the Web, http://www.ipe.umn.edu/. The Web site was officially launched on January 8, 2008. A part of the Academic Health Center’s Office of Education, the Center for Interprofessional Education was officially chartered in December 2006 by the deans of the Academic Health Center. Under the leadership of Gwen Halaas, M.D., M.B.A., the Center works collaboratively with the AHC Schools and Colleges to identify, promote, implement and evaluate interprofessional education in a continuum of activities across the educational lifespan.
