April 2008, Issue 415

Editor: Kathleen Watson, M.D., drwatson@umn.edu
Editorial Assistant: Allison Campbell Jensen, aac@umn.edu

NEWS

Match Day 2008: Residencies outside Minnesota draw majority of students

For the first time in six years, slightly more than half of the 202 U of M medical students who matched have chosen residencies outside the state. Just over 44 p ercent chose primary care residencies, a slight increase over 2007 but still reflecting a several-year decline. Of those who began their medical education on the Duluth campus, however, 46 percent matched to family medicine residency programs. This rate is six times the national average of graduates selecting family medicine. Among the seven deferring residency is Dan Fulton, who instead will go on a medical mission to Central America.

Global Health Pathway open to faculty and students

There are no local diseases – this is the motto of the Global Health Pathway, which is offering a course on Clinical Tropical, Migrant & Travel Medicine June 20-Aug. 22. Physicians, fellows, residents, and medical students are eligible to apply; for details, see www.globalhealth.umn.edu or call 612.626.3526.

Seeking the art of medicine

Academic Medicine is seeking submissions of original artwork of any visual medium to be featured on its cover. Submissions should be inspired by some aspect of the “academic medicine experience” – for example, learning how to be a physician or scientist. Those who submit art have the option of submitting a related Teaching and Learning Moment as a narrative companion to the artwork.

STUDENTS

Executive office elections at next Student Council meeting

At its April meeting, the Student Council will hold elections for next year’s student council executive officers, including president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. If you are interested in running, please e-mail current President Nate Scott at scot0384@umn.edu with a paragraph stating your intent to run. The elections and meeting will be in Mayo B646 at 6:15 Thursday, April 3rd. All are welcome!

University awards for four medical students: Congratulations!

Katie Pastorius, Brian Thomas, Michael Lueneburg, and Marissa Lightbourne have been recognized with University of Minnesota President’s Leadership & Service Awards. Please join me in congratulating them.

Shacter honored

Year-one student Hannah Shacter has been named an associate member on the Society of General Internal Medicine's executive council. This academic home for internists has been the source of innovation in medical education.

FACULTY

Peterson to receive honorary degree from Karolinksa

Phil Peterson, M.D., director of the office of International Medical Education and Research, will receive an honorary medical degree from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden on May 9, 2008. One of three persons to receive the honorary doctor of medicine this year, Peterson was cited for the close collaboration he has initiated between Karolinska and the University of Minnesota in the area of inflammation and infection. This collaboration resulted in a number of symposia in Stockholm as well as in Minneapolis. He has also worked for extension of the collaboration to graduate education, with mutual student exchanges. Further collaborations on master and post-graduate levels are being planned as well.

April 30 deadline for Medical Devices Design program

Creating new medical devices to improve human health will be the tasks of four person cross-disciplinary teams consisting of postgraduate engineers, seasoned medical device professionals, biomedical scientists, and physicians. Teams will be chosen by the Medical Devices Design Fellows Program, sponsored by the Medical Devices Center of the Institute for Engineering in Medicine at the University of Minnesota. Review of applications begins immediately; application deadline is April 30, 2008. Additional information and application instructions can be found at www.me.umn.edu.