Now the work really begins.
Last week, the Midwest Cancer Alliance Partners Advisory Board hosted a very important event regarding our quest to obtain National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation. At the event, we announced that the NCI has given us our date for application - Sept. 25, 2011. This is a key milestone because it signals a certain level of confidence from the NCI. The clock is ticking, and we have a lot to accomplish between now and September 2011.
Starting immediately, we will increase our recruiting efforts, trying to attract 15-20 world-class researchers and physician-researchers to KUMC who currently have NCI-funded grants. We will also increase our efforts to help our current faculty increase their own NCI funding base. We must have at least $10-11 million in annual NCI federal grant funding to be competitive when we submit our application.
We will also need to provide roughly 170,000 sq. feet of renovated laboratory space for this research, and we are working on a plan to achieve this goal.
Finally, we must increase our clinical trials participation. I hope that all of our physicians will seek information on all of our available clinical trials, and if you have any questions regarding cancer clinical trials, I encourage you to contact Karen Kelly, MD, in the Cancer Center.
Achieving NCI designation remains the University’s No. 1 priority, and I am excited and proud of the progress we have made.
Thank you for your ongoing dedication and commitment as we continue our journey toward Sept. 25, 2011.
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius spoke to the crowd of over 150 in attendance at the NCI announcement last Thursday.
Education
Fourteen students from the class of 2009 have been elected into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. The organization is dedicated to the recognition and promotion of academic excellence in medical schools. List of students from Wichita and Kansas City.
We were saddened by the loss of second-year medical student Joshua Bolt. Our hearts go out to his family members and friends. A memorial service in his honor will be held at 5 p.m. on Dec. 12 in the SON Auditorium.
Kudos
Congratulations to Edna Hamera, RN, PhD, ARNP, CS, associate professor in the SON, who was presented with the American Psychiatric Nurses Association Distinguished Service Award. Read more.
Richelle Beckman, a May 2008 graduate of the Health Information Management program, has been awarded the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions Scholarship of Excellence Award. Congratulations, Richelle.
Other Items of Interest
Cheryl Jernigan, Advancement Board chair, has been selected to join the National Cancer Institute Director's Consumer Liaison Group for a four-year term. The group advises and makes recommendations to the NCI on research priorities. Congratulations, Cheryl. Read more.
The Wheat State Whirlwind Tour is an exciting opportunity for faculty and unclassified staff members to get to know our state better and develop relationships across KU. More information.
KUMC International Outreach is selling poinsettias to raise funds for student medical outreach trips to Guatemala and Belize. More information.
Research
Faculty, staff and students recently gathered to celebrate a year of outstanding research on Faculty Research Day. Read more about the winners.
Community
The Adopt-A-Child Holiday Giving Program is now underway, and gift lists are online. Unwrapped gifts should be taken to 1028 Murphy between Dec. 8 and 12. Adopt a child.
Thanks to everyone who donated to the United Way Giving Campaign. We were able to raise $85,400. The money raised will go to programs in Wyandotte County.