Many of you are aware that KU Medical Center was in the news last week for our use of animals in biomedical research.
Although we understand that some people object to using animals for research, there is no denying that the benefits derived from the ethical, humane use of laboratory animals for biomedical research are enormous.
Animal research has led to vaccinations against smallpox, measles, mumps, diphtheria, and tetanus; development of anesthesia, antibiotics, and insulin; use of cardiac pacemakers and heart bypass surgery; surgical advancements for organ transplants, hip replacements, and cataract surgery; and treatments for a host of diseases, including diabetes, multiple sclerosis, AIDS, and childhood leukemia.
At KU Medical Center, our scientists are using lab animals to help discover ways to help the brain recover from stroke and brain injuries; to find innovative therapies for polycystic kidney disease and diabetes; to determine new ways to prevent and restore hearing loss; and much more.
Research animals at KUMC are protected by a host of state, federal, and international laws. A year ago, during a routine inspection, the USDA found that we had a number of uncharacteristic lapses in our animal oversight policies, most of which involved procedural and paperwork infractions. Those lapses have been addressed, and our goal is to make sure that our program meets, if not exceeds, compliance regulations.
I can assure you that our scientists understand that research is a privilege that carries with it the responsibility to treat lab animals humanely. Researchers here use the minimum number of lab animals necessary to ensure an accurate study, and when possible, they substitute non-animal models. In fact, the first realistic computer models of human and animal organs are starting to emerge - potentially replacing some animal testing.
You can learn more about this issue by visiting KUMC's Animal Research Protection Program web page. For more general background on the use of animals in research, go to National Association of Biomedical Research website.
Wichita residents are seeing great progress on the building expansion for the new satellite School of Pharmacy on the KU School of Medicine Wichita campus. Completion of the $4 million project, which will add 26,000 square feet to the 130,000 square-foot facility, is expected in September.
Cancer Update
The Kansas City Business Journal last week had a special in-depth section on our cancer care program. There were three feature articles, including an update on our quest for NCI designation; a profile of Parvesh Kumar, MD, the Joe and Jean Brandmeyer Chair and Professor of Radiation Oncology and interim deputy director of the University of Kansas Cancer Center; and a status report on the renovation of the Wahl/Hixon Research Complex, which is instrumental to our NCI designation efforts.
Earlier this month, the NCI Cancer Bulletin, which is a summary of cancer research news across the country, had a profile of the Midwest Cancer Alliance. The article quoted Gary Doolittle, MD, the MCA's medical director. The MCA has done so much to help those in rural parts of our state get better access to care and treatment, so it is nice to see the group get some national attention. You can read the article here.
In the News
Kansas Public Radio aired a well-balanced report this week on the animal testing controversy at KU Medical Center. Reporter Bryan Thompson talked to Paul Terranova, PhD, Vice Chancellor for Research; Ed Phillips, MA, Vice Chancellor for Administration; and Marcia Nielsen, PhD, MPH, Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs. You can hear the complete story here.
In a new report published by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the KU School of Medicine ranked in the 100th percentile for medical schools producing primary care doctors. The School ranked in the 100th percentile for developing physicians for rural areas and for training Native American students. Students also ranked the KU School of Medicine in the 75th percentile when it comes to providing instruction in women’s health and culturally appropriate medical care for diverse populations. The School of Medicine’s instruction on the role of community health and social service agencies play in medical care was ranked in the 100th percentile among medical schools.
Laddy Maisonet, a second-year student at the University of Kansas School of Medicine, has been awarded the Minority Scholars Award from the American Medical Association Foundation. The award recognizes scholastic achievement and commitment to improving minority health. Maisonet is just one of just 13 students nationwide to receive the award, which includes a $10,000 scholarship. Read more here.
Brantley Thrasher, MD, professor and chair of urology surgery at KUMC, was featured in an article this week in U.S. News and World Report. The story discusses the debate over the value of closely monitoring patients who appear to have low-risk forms of prostate cancer instead of immediately treating them. You can read the article here.
Around Campus
Teams are already being formed for the Walk for PKD, which will benefit the PKD Foundation and the more than 12.5 million people living with polycystic kidney disease. The Walk for PKD will take place on Saturday, September 11, at Theis Park in Kansas City, Mo. This is KU Medical Center's primary philanthropic event in 2010, so I encourage as many of you as possible to sign up for this fun and worthwhile walk. You can get more information about the PKD Walk and register here.
As part of the Rosedale Healthy Kids Initiative, a Rosedale Farmer's Market is being held every Sunday afternoon from 12 noon - 4 p.m. through Oct. 17. The market is located in the Jaydoc Free Clinic parking lot at 340 Southwest Boulevard. For more information, visit the Rosedale Farmer's Market website.