Last week I had the privilege of speaking at the KU Teaching Summit, sponsored by the Provost’s Office, KU Medical Center, and the Center for Teaching Excellence. The theme of the summit was “Engaged Learning," and it was so exciting to hear about all the inventive strategies educators at KU and KUMC are employing to improve the quality of instruction we provide our students.
The summit gave me an opportunity to talk about some of the latest changes the Medical Center has made to transform the education of health care professionals. All three schools at KU Medical Center have taken advantage of new technology that enhances learning. We have incorporated tablet PCs, electronic materials and books and podcasts into our curricula. The schools are also using high-fidelity computer mannequins as patient simulators for teaching clinical medical skills to students.
But not all of the changes involve technology. At KUMC, many traditional large lectures are being replaced with small-group learning. Students are put into groups of eight to 10 for anatomy, histology, and clinical skills laboratories and problem-based learning groups. They stay in these learning communities for their first two years. The students work together to maximize their own and each other's education. Research demonstrates that this kind of small-group cooperative learning produces higher achievement and more positive relationships among students.
In upcoming editions of Checking In, I will talk about some of the other educational innovations we are putting into practice at the Medical Center, such as integrating health information technologies in the nursing profession and improved clinical skill training for our students.
I truly believe the health of Kansans is in better hands because of our constant drive to improve the way we train the health care professionals of tomorrow.
Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little gave her first public address as chancellor on August 18th at KU's 144th Opening Convocation. Dr. Gray-Little said her top priorities are undergraduate education, raising KU’s scholarly and research profiles, and ensuring the resources to achieve those goals.
Cancer
Roy Jensen, MD, director of the University of Kansas Cancer Center, delivered his State of Cancer address in Lawrence and Kansas City this week. In his presentation, Dr. Jensen said the economy has impacted the center's quest for NCI designation, and a more strategic focus is needed on the top priorities to get us to our NCI application date in September 2011.
He said the Cancer Center is focused on three major priorities over the next two years: recruitment, facilities and increasing NCI funding.
Dr. Jensen also said the Cancer Center is focused on recruiting NCI-funded scientists who can help build the funding base and collaborate with the outstanding scientists already at the university.
Community
Last week, the first meeting of the Health Disparities Community Advisory Board, under the leadership of Sunita Dodani, MD, PhD, was held at KUMC. The group was established by the Department of Internal Medicine to form partnerships with community leaders and address health care disparities in the Greater Kansas City area. The board heard from from area representatives of the African-American, Hispanic, Vietnamese, Hindu, and Jewish communities, who discussed the critical health care issues impacting their communities.
It's time to get Back in the Swing! Back in the Swing is dedicated to promoting healthy and proactive living after breast cancer through the funding of clinical services, supportive care programs and academic medical research.You can help by purchasing a $25 Back in the Swing shopping card that will give you up to 20 percent discounts at more than 800 participating merchants. To purchase a card, contact Missy Heidrick at 8-5961.
Education
The Kansas Association for Local Health Departments, Kansas Department of Health and Environment and KU Medical Center's Department of Preventive Medicine and Area Health Education Centers are sponsoring the Kansas Public Health Grand Rounds series. You may enroll by calling 620-235-4040 or emailing ksphgr@kumc.edu.
The annual School of Medicine Faculty Retreat will be held on Friday, September 18 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the School of Nursing Auditorium. I will be delivering the State of the School of Medicine address at the retreat.
Other Items of Interest
United States Congressman Todd Tiahrt visited KU Medical Center on Monday. The congressman heard from KUMC and KU Hospital officials on the progress toward NCI designation, the MCA Clinical Trials Network, KU Hospital's successes, and potential implications of health care reform.
The American College of Surgeons (ACS) has reverified The University of Kansas Hospital's Trauma Program at Level 1 status, the highest level a trauma program can receive. KU Hospital has the only trauma program in Greater Kansas City that has achieved level 1 status. Read more.