The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, commonly referred to as the federal stimulus package, will provide many research institutions, like KUMC, funding opportunities, which will hopefully help stimulate the economy during these difficult times.

The Research Institute is taking the lead in coordinating KUMC’s applications for stimulus funding through NIH challenge grants, administrative supplements and equipment, as well as subcontracts with other universities.  As of this week, we have submitted dozens of applications worth $47.6 million, and we still have many more that will follow.

The Office of Administration is also working on five grant proposals for construction projects and equipment including a $15 million Simulation Center, $4 million for a Hoglund 3T MRI replacement, $10 million for the Smith East building renovation, $5 million for the Lab Animal Research facility improvements as well as $5 million for Lab Animal Research equipment.

One of the proposals I am really excited about is the proposed Simulation Center. Medical simulation programs are used in various health disciplines, and they are rapidly growing as a trend in health care education. I've provided a link on my Web site to the committee report on recommendations for a Simulation Center at KUMC.

In total, we intend to submit almost $81.6 million in proposals for federal stimulus funding.

I’m pleased to see so many grant applications being developed and submitted by our faculty, and am hopeful that with our track record of success, we'll receive funding for several of our proposals.

Thank you for all you are doing to continue our momentum during these difficult times.

Community

Paul Terranova, PhD, vice chancellor for research, and Randolph Nudo, PhD, director of the Landon Center on Aging, are spearheading the University's efforts for the KC Heart Walk on May 30. If you would like to join the team, please contact Hallie Calloway, community outreach coordinator in the Landon Center on Aging, at 8-0606.

Education

Congratulations to Natalie Casagrande, a first-year medical student, who has received an AMA Foundation Minority Scholars Award worth $10,000 for tuition assistance. This is the second year in a row that a student from KUMC has received the award.

Kudos

Adrienne Baxter, MS, RD, LD, clinical instructor in the Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, has been awarded the Stata Norton Distinguished Teaching Award. This award recognizes one faculty member in the SOAH each year who has demonstrated excellence in teaching and who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession. Congratulations, Adrienne.

The KUMC Division of Student Services hosted their annual awards reception and honored the following: Rigoberto Ramirez, second-year medical student, as Outstanding Student Leader; Student Physical Therapy Organization as Outstanding Student Organization; Fonda Briles, advisor of KUMC Student Recycling as Outstanding Student Organization Advisor; and Community Outreach for the Carol Marinovich Community Service Award. Congratulations to all awardees.