February 16 2012

The next week will be a very exciting one at KU Medical Center. On Tuesday, members of a National Cancer Institute (NCI) team will conduct a site visit on our campus to evaluate The University of Kansas Cancer Center’s readiness to be an NCI-designated cancer center.

Our researchers, led by KU Cancer Center director Roy Jensen, have spent months preparing for the site visit and are ready to go. We won't know whether we will be granted designation until later this summer or fall.  But whether we get NCI designation on the first try or not, we can all take great pride in building a world-class cancer center for Kansas and the region.

Another thing we can be proud of is the recent announcement that the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has given KU Endowment the prestigious 2012 Award for Excellence in the Premier Performance Category for Integrated Advancement for our "Be Part of the Cure" campaign. The campaign was developed to support our goal of achieving NCI designation. It included print materials, a strong social media presence and a 30-minute television special that ran on all four Kansas City network affiliates last September.

The AAMC judges had glowing comments about the "Be Part of the Cure" campaign, among them "the campaign was equal parts strategic and aggressive; a very comprehensive approach to engage and mobilize an entire city in attaining goals of NCI designation, philanthropy and awareness of one's mission; and KU used a relatively shoestring budget to make a high impact."

And also of tremendous benefit to us, the campaign was a major factor in helping KU Endowment raise more than $61 million in 32 months to support the quest for NCI designation, which will be included in the university's overall capital fundraising campaign.

A lot of people worked on the "Be Part of the Cure" project and my thanks to all of them for a job well done – in particular Stephanie Grinage, the vice president for medical development at KU Endowment; Becky Schieber, KU Endowment's associate development director for the KU Cancer Center, and KU Cancer Center director Roy Jensen. Congratulations to all of you on this well-deserved award!

KU School of Medicine–Wichita third-year student Bonnie Tackett, right, practices delivering a baby using new simulation equipment purchased by the obstetrics and gynecology department. The funds used to purchase the equipment that includes birthing models and episiotomy suturing kits came from the Medical Alumni Innovative Teaching Fund from the KU Medical Alumni Association.

Around campus

The dean emeritus of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine will present a seminar at KU Medical Center on Feb. 21. Emery A. Wilson, MD, is serving as a consultant to the School of Medicine executive dean search committee. His seminar, "The Difference Between Being Dean and Being Dead," is open to all faculty, staff and students. The event is from noon to 1 p.m., at Rieke Auditorium.

The KUMC Alumni Association is hosting a KU vs. MU Basketball Watch Party on Feb. 25. Cheer on the Jayhawks with fellow alumni, students and friends in a private viewing area at Johnny's Tavern, 6765 W. 119th St. in Overland Park. Tickets are $15 and include pizza and wings (while supplies last) and two drink tickets for soda or beer. The party starts at 2:30 p.m., and tipoff is at 3:00 pm. Register online or by calling 913-588-1255.

Women in Science and Medicine (WIMS) is sponsoring a panel discussion on Phenomenal Skin at All Ages on Feb. 29 from 5 to 6 p.m., in G013 School of Nursing. Panelists from KU Medical Center will discuss skin must-do's, skin safety, chemical peels and information about the services each office provides. You can get details at the WIMS website.

KU has a new design for employee business cards. There are a number of templates to choose from. If you are interested in ordering new cards and would like to check out the new designs, you can visit the Printing Services website.

In the news

The Health Blog in the Wall Street Journal included an entry this week about the collaboration between KU's Institute for Advancing Medical Innovation (IAMI), the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the NIH on repurposing the drug auranofin. You can read the article here.

Daniel Hinthorn, MD, a professor of medicine, pediatrics and family medicine, was quoted in an ABC News story about the late start to the winter flu season. You can read more here.

Kudos

School of Medicine–Wichita Dean and pediatrics professor H. David Wilson, MD, was appointed as the central region representative to the Association of American Medical Colleges' Group on Regional Medical Campus steering committee. His appointment remains in effect until March 2014.

Stephen Charles, MD, director of medical education at the School of Medicine–Wichita, received a Top 10 Under 10 award from the Elon Alumni Association. The awards recognize outstanding Elon graduates of the past 10 years, young alumni who have excelled professionally, made an impact on their communities, or loyally supported Elon.

The list of KUMC faculty promotions and tenure awarded in fiscal year 2012 has been published on the KUMC website. You can see the entire list here.