Last weekend, I had the pleasure of going to the Philmont Boy Scout Ranch in the mountains of northeast New Mexico to celebrate our relationship with them, which has thrived for more than 50 years.
Philmont was created in 1938 and is now a 200-square mile ranch for Scouts. Approximately 860,000 people have visited the camp since its founding and 1,000 employees take care of these visitors every summer.
Dr. Ken Goertz and his wife, Sallie Page-Goertz, have volunteered every summer for the last 23 years supervising our medical students, with Ken serving as medical director for the last 20 years.
Medical students can spend two months between their first and second years as drivers at the camp. Between their third and fourth years, they serve as medics as part of a rural health elective. In this capacity, they see everything from sprains, fractures, GI complaints, asthma, and heart attacks to snake bites, bear attacks and lightning strikes.
The medical team began at Philmont when Gene Klingler was assigned to come there as a student, because his wife Sue was a nurse. Soon others also came, and it started a tradition of KUMC doctors becoming the medical directors and supervising the medical students at this ranch.
This relationship is outstanding for all: excellent education for our students and excellent health care for the scouts and employees at Philmont. Thanks to all who support this important activity.
This was the ribbon-cutting for a new infirmary at the Philmont Scout Ranch. The infirmary will support the activities of the doctors and medical students. For more pictures from the trip, see Dr. Michael Kennedy's Web site.
(Joining me from left to right) Dr. Gene Klingler, Ashley Robertson, MS4 - Wichita, Dr. Ken Goertz, Dr. Ed Dismuke, Keith Gallaway, manager of Philmont Scout Ranch, and Mark Stinnett, JD, member of the Health Lodge Task Force.
Community
I recently had lunch with the 10 Teacher Techs who are working on campus this summer. These high school teachers are working on major projects for the Medical Center while they learn more about professional skills they can integrate into their curriculum. Read more about the program from the Kansas City Star.
The School of Medicine is co-sponsoring an event with author Pope Brock, who will discuss his new book about "Dr." John Brinkley, a con man, and Morris Fishbein, the AMA's resident quack-buster. The event will take place at 6:30 p.m. tonight at the Plaza Branch of the KC Library. Learn more.
Kudos
Congratulations to the Hospital for once again being ranked by U.S. News and World Report for its outstanding heart program. Read more.
Doug Wright, PhD, associate professor and director of graduate studies of anatomy and cell biology, has received the 2008 Cure Award from the American Diabetes Association. Congratulations, Dr. Wright.
Congratulations to Gregory Kopf, PhD, who has been appointed associate vice chancellor for research administration for KUMC and the executive director of the KUMC Research Institute, Inc.
Research
Dr. Jeff Burns received significant national media attention this week for his research on Alzheimer's and the effect exercise has on its progression. Read more from Newsweek.
The KU Cancer Center has opened a Phase 1 Clinical Trial for Nanotax, a drug that was discovered, developed and tested by KU and KUMC faculty. Read More.
Congratulations to Jason Gill, a second-year MD/PhD student, who was recently published in Science magazine for his work in helping to discover a new protein which will help in the understanding of gastrulation. Congratulations, Jason.
Education
Robert Hafner, who recently finished his BSN while serving in Iraq, received his diploma and nursing pin from Dean Karen Miller at a welcome-home party last week. Congratulations, Robert. Read more in the Lawrence Journal-World.
Dean Karen Miller announced new changes in the School of Nursing administration. Read more.
Second Life, a virtual online world, is starting to be incorporated in nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy and nurse anesthesia departments in order to get students acquainted with the working environment and procedures. Read more from the Kansas City Star.