As I’m sure you know,
Nov. 4 is Election Day and I want to encourage everyone to vote in this important election to help decide the future of our state and country.
In addition to the high-profile presidential election, both Kansas and Missouri voters will decide important congressional, state and local races. As state employees, I believe it's important for all of us to be actively engaged in our democracy and help shape public policy.
Advance voting is underway in Kansas, and can be done in person at county election offices or by requesting an advance ballot from the election commissioner's office in your county of residence. For more information, visit the Kansas Secretary of State's Election Web site.
Missouri voters can cast an absentee ballot before Election Day, but only for a specific list of reasons. For more information, visit the Missouri Secretary of State's Election Web site.
Additionally, Johnson County, Kan., voters will consider Question 2, which would create the Johnson County Education Research Triangle, which, among other things, will fund a new clinical research center in Fairway, Kan.
Regardless of the outcome of the vote on Question 2, the Medical Center is fortunate to have such an important initiative on the ballot. This vote is an opportunity to secure significant, ongoing funding for the Medical Center, and its placement on the ballot is a testament to the work we do and our role in this community and state.
Only you can decide how to vote. But as an employee of KUMC, I hope you will exercise your right to participate in our democracy.
Karen Kelly, MD, deputy director of the KU Cancer Center, thanks Annette Bloch for her $20 million gift for cancer care at KU Hospital. The Hospital has renamed the Westwood facility the Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Care Pavilion. Read more from MSNBC.
Research
Charles Little, PhD, professor of anatomy and cell biology, and Brenda Rongish, PhD, assistant professor of anatomy and cell biology, have recently been published in the Public Library of Science. Read more about their research.
Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, which funds pediatric cancer research, has awarded Phoebe Williams, RN, PhD, FAAN, professor in the SON, $100,000 for her research in developing a child friendly and clinically usable therapy-related symptom checklist. Read more.
The Department of TeleMedicine and TeleHealth and the Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health have collaborated to win a four-year, $2 million grant from the NIH. Read more about their research.
Education
Helen Connors, RN, PhD, FAAN, associate dean for integrated technologies at the SON and executive director of the Center for Healthcare Informatics, was invested with the E. Jean M. Hill Professorship on Oct. 14. Read more.
I'm excited to announce that 43 people have been granted early acceptance into the School of Medicine. All but one of the 43 are from Kansas, and eight students are from rural areas in the state. Congratulations to the Class of 2013.
Allied Health Professions Day will be recognized this year with a panel presenting a traumatic brain injury case. The event will be held from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 4 in the Wahl Hall East Auditorium. Ancillary Care and Allied Health departments will be presenting on the case.
Other Items of Interest
David Adkins, JD, vice chancellor of external affairs, is leaving the Medical Center to become executive director of the Council of State Governments, based in Lexington, Ky. Please join me in thanking David for his many accomplishments while at the Medical Center, and in wishing him and his family all the best in their new endeavor.
The KHPA has announced that $8.8 million in additional Medicaid funding will go to KUPI, the MPA in Wichita and KU Hospital. Read more from the Wichita Eagle.
Community
The United Way Giving Campaign is underway, and we have already raised over $20,000. Please help us reach our goal. Check out our fundraising progress on the KUMC Web site.
Kudos
Carol Smith, RN, PhD, professor of nursing, has received the Chancellor's Club Research Award. Congratulations, Carol, on this well-deserved honor. Read more from the Lawrence Journal-World.