Notes and accolades

Brag it Up!

Prateek Sharma, M.D., professor, gastroenterology and hepatology, has been invited to present the J. Edward Berk Endowed Lecture at the Presidential Plenary Session. Dr. Sharma will lecture to approximately 12,000 attendees at the combined meeting of the American Gastroenterological Association and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in May.

Ashley Adorante, outreach coordinator for the Midwest Cancer Alliance, has been awarded the 2013 Kansas City, Kansas Chamber Ambassador of the Year. The KCK Chamber Ambassadors is a volunteer group of chamber members that assists with chamber ceremonies and events and ensures that everyone, including members, have a good experience with the chamber. The chamber awards an ambassador annually to a person who has gone above and beyond in the community.

Take Note

Walkathon for Stroke Research: Friday, April 26, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Kirmayer upstairs track. This event supports Dr. Sandy Billinger's Walk Across Kansas effort. Entry fee is $20 per person. Tax-deductible payments will be accepted at the event via Dr. Billinger's secure KU Endowment website.

Dr. Billinger will be walking 570 miles across the entire state of Kansas this May/June to raise awareness about the benefits of exercise in stroke rehabilitation as well as raise money to start an early physical activity program for stroke survivors at The University of Kansas Hospital. 

The goal of the event is to match Dr. Billinger's distance of 570 miles. Stop by Kirmayer anytime between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on April 26 and complete miles on the track or a treadmill to help reach the goal. 

Questions? Email Katie Martin or Laura Webb.

Derby Fest - A benefit for Alzheimer's: Hosted at Maker's Mark in the Power & Light District on Saturday, May 4, the Kansas City Derby Fest offers a fun-filled afternoon with great food, beverages, a live band, all while you sport your Derby attire and mingle among the crowd. A hat contest, a parade of local racehorses from Saddle Creek Stables, a silent and live auction and raffles are just a few features of this event.

All proceeds will be used for research to find a cure for Alzheimer's and related dementias at the KU Alzheimer's Disease Center. The KU center is one of only 29 Alzheimer's Disease Centers in the country and is nationally recognized.  

Individual tickets start at $35 and sponsorship opportunities are available and appreciated. Click here for more information and sponsorship opportunities.

Jayhawk Health Initiative's Hoops for Health Tournament

Gather up your teams by Thursday, April 25, for Jayhawk Health Initiative's Hoops for Health Tournament on Saturday, April 27! Jayhawk Health Initiative is holding a coed 3v3 basketball tournament at Ambler Student Recreation Center. Games will tip off at 11 a.m. The purpose of the tournament is to raise money to purchase medications and supplies for the medical brigade to Panama this May.

The price per team is $30 to be paid in cash the day of the tournament. Teams can have 3 to 5 players with one girl on the floor at all times. Tickets will also be for sale at the door for $3 for those who want to attend the event but do not wish to be on a team. Grand prize for the winning team is $300, and if you participate, you can get a Hoops for Health shirt! 

Sign up here by April 25 at noon. Email with any questions regarding Hoops for Health!

Agreement with Mexico university: On Monday, April 15, KU Medical Center signed an agreement with the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos (UAEM), Mexico. This agreement renews our agreement for cultural, educational and scientific cooperation between our institutions. We have been working with our colleagues in Mexico to advance health, medicine and science and are pleased to continue the collaboration.

In a special expansion of this collaboration, Children's Mercy Hospital also signed a similar agreement that afternoon with the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos. KU Medical Center's Paula Cupertino, Ph.D., was instrumental in the visit and has been a driving force with our growing relationship.

Pictured: Dr. Patricia Castillo, academic secretary, UAEM; Dr. Randall O'Donnell, president and CEO, Children's Mercy; Dr. Allen Rawitch, vice chancellor, KUMC; Dr. Doug Girod, EVC, KUMC; Dr. Paula Cupertino, assistant professor, KUMC