Last week, I was privileged to deliver my seventh State of the School of Medicine address. It was an opportunity for us to look back at the progress the School had made over the past seven years and a chance to look ahead to the goals and challenges we have ahead of us.
When we laid out a vision for the School of Medicine back in 2002, we had a number of critical goals. They included: implementing a new curriculum; developing a plan for NCI designation; breaking ground on a new medical office building for University of Kansas Physicians; increasing the number of full-time faculty; increasing research funding and developing a research vision; and renegotiating our affiliation agreement with The University of Kansas Hospital.
It is gratifying to say that, thanks to the work of countless individuals and organizations, we have met all of those goals in the past seven years.
But, of course, that is no reason to rest on our laurels. We have a whole new list of objectives, as we continue our mission to make the KU School of Medicine one of the top medical schools in the country.
Our goals for 2010 and beyond include strengthening our educational programs continuing to build on the School’s growth in research fundin; and building our patient care and research infrastructure. We also need to revitalize the graduate medical education program in Wichita, continue our momentum toward NCI designation and plan a capital campaign for KUMC.
These are ambitious goals, but if the last seven years tell us anything, it is that we can achieve great things when we all work together.
If you would like to read more about the School of Medicine’s past progress and future ambitions, my detailed presentation is now on KUMC’s Web site here.
Janet Pierce, RN, DSN, CCRN, professor of nursing and adjunct associate professor of molecular and integrative physiology, was surprised with a Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence award on Sept. 16. Also presented with the prestigious award last week was Douglas Wright, PhD, associate professor of anatomy and cell biology. Read more.
Alumni Weekend
United States Secretary of Health and Human Services and former Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius will receive the Life Sciences Leadership Award at the KUMC Gala on Oct. 17th. The award recognizes a significant effort by a remarkable community leader to advance the cause of the life sciences in our region. In announcing the award, Sebelius was cited, among other achievements, for signing the Kansas Economic Growth Act into law, which created the Kansas Bioscience Authority. The KUMC Gala will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 17th at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center. You can register online.
The registration deadline for Alumni Weekend has been extended to October 2nd. Register online now and use the discount code ALUM09 to receive $10 off your registration fee. For more information about Alumni Reunion Weekend, visit the KUMC Alumni Web site.
Community
Kansas City area organizations, including KU Medical Center, are hosting a community conversation about girls and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The event will be on Tuesday, Oct. 6 from 5:30 - 9:00 p.m. at the Penn Valley Campus Education Center at 3201 Southwest Trafficway in Kansas City, Mo. Join with others to discuss how our community can open the door and promote STEM opportunities for young girls. There is no cost, but you must register by Monday, Sept. 28. For more information, contact Paula Baum at 8-1017 or Science Pioneers at (816) 460-2261.
The KUMC Community Outreach Program is collecting items for the Wyandotte County Food Pantry. You can help us "Stuff the SUV" with donated items in the Murphy Courtyard from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7th. If you are unable come on the 7th, please feel free to bring items to Student Services in 3001 Student Center or Student Engagement in G005 Orr-Major. For more information, contact Ryan Gove at rgove@kumc.edu.
Kudos
The Delta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International, at the University of Kansas School of Nursing, will receive a 2009 Chapter Key Award at the 40th Biennial Sigma Theta Tau International convention in Indianapolis, Ind., on Oct. 31. The Chapter Key award recognizes chapters that excel in the areas of leadership, knowledge, service, community and sustainability. This is the ninth time that Delta Chapter has received this award.
Research
KUMC researchers are getting a lot of attention for a new study that indicates smoking bans have immediate positive effects on heart attack rates.The study by David Meyers, MD, a professor of cardiovascular disease, John Neuberger, DrPH, MPH, MBA, a professor of preventive medicine and public health, and Jianghua He, PhD, an assistant professor of biostatistics, found that a nationwide public smoking ban could prevent as many as 156,400 heart attacks a year. Read more here.