As KU Medical Center celebrated Law Enforcement Memorial Week last week, we remembered Rolland Kelsey Jr., who passed away in January 2009.
Hired as an officer in May 1998, Kelsey loved working with people, serving the community, and was a true team player when it came to helping out his fellow officers.
Tragically, on Jan. 30, 2002, Kelsey was seriously injured while on duty at the Medical Center. He was helping an employee to her car during a terrible ice storm, when a tree snapped in half and fell on him. Despite his ballistic vest protecting him, he suffered numerous injuries that left him unable to work as a police officer. Kelsey passed away this January at age 39, and his family was honored last week for Kelsey's service to our law enforcement team.
The department officers are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week all year. They work with our faculty, staff, students, and community members in order to ensure that our campus remains safe and secure – whether it’s escorting us to our cars after hours, keeping our parking lots safe or ensuring the safety of our patients and workers in the building.
The officers also serve an educational role by sponsoring crime prevention programs for students and employees, as well as working with community members to educate them on potential hazards in the area.
As the department remembers Kelsey and all other officers injured or killed on duty, I’d like to extend my appreciation for all the hard work they do as they serve their community in a very tough position. We truly appreciate everything they do.
Graduates from the School of Nursing donned old-fashioned nurses' hats on their mortar boards at graduation this past weekend. See a list of award and scholarship winners from year-end recognition ceremonies.
Education
H. David Wilson, MD, was recently named the dean of the School of Medicine-Wichita. He brings great experience and expertise in leading a community-based medical school. I would like to extend a special thank you to Frederic Chang, MD, who came out of retirement to serve as interim dean. Read more.
Kudos
Congratulations to Catherine Siengsukon, a PhD graduate in the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, who has received the Marnie and Bill Argersinger Award for Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation. She is the first student from KUMC to receive this award given annually to two KU students.
Other Items of Interest
The University Distinguished Professor Symposium honoring Glen Andrews, PhD, will be held at 4 p.m. on June 9 in the SON Auditorium.
The groundbreaking for the School of Pharmacy expansion in Lawrence will take place at 3:30 p.m. on May 26 with a reception to follow. A "roof raising" ceremony for the Wichita expansion will be held later this summer.
Danny J. Anderson, vice provost for academic affairs, has been named by Chancellor Hemenway as interim provost, effective July 1 and through the 2009-10 academic year. Anderson will work with Hemenway and Provost Richard Lariviere on transition issues, as they will both be stepping down on June 30.
Research
Rajendra Kumar, PhD, associate professor of molecular and integrative physiology, has received - along with his research partners at Wichita State University and the University of Nebraska Medical Center - a $6.6 million grant from the NIH to conduct fertility research. Congratulations, Dr. Kumar.
Three researchers at KUMC have received a $1.27 million grant from the Department of Defense to study tinnitus. Many military personnel and people exposed to loud noises suffer from the disease. Read more.
Community
Thanks to everyone who has donated so far for the Kansas City Heart Walk on May 30. Campus-wide, we have raised more than $27,000. Donate or join a team.