El Paso - Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
El Paso - Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
El Paso - Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
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Weekly News | 02.18.10<br />
Students To Hold<br />
Pre-Med Conference<br />
The American Medical Student<br />
Association Organization will<br />
hold a Pre-Med Conference on<br />
March 6, 2010 from 9:00 a.m.<br />
to 5:00 p.m. for students from<br />
UTEP and NMSU who are<br />
applying for medical school.<br />
Workshops will provide an<br />
overview of <strong>Texas</strong> <strong>Tech</strong><br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Sciences</strong><br />
<strong>Center</strong> (TTUHSC) Paul L.<br />
Foster School of Medicine<br />
(SOM), the application process,<br />
summer programs, interviewing<br />
skills, personal statement<br />
writing, a student and faculty<br />
panel, and an interactive<br />
learning session which gives<br />
students a taste of the<br />
TTUHSC Paul L. Foster SOM<br />
curriculum. First year students<br />
will conduct the workshops.<br />
From the Desk of the Founding Dean<br />
Children’s Hospital - We are all still on cloud nine from the Saturday celebration known<br />
as the topping off ceremony when that final beam of steel was placed on top of the<br />
children's hospital infrastructure. We broke ground on our new children’s hospital on<br />
Valentines Day 2009. Here we are topping it off just one year later. Construction will<br />
continue over the next 24 months with a ribbon cutting planned for the spring of 2012.<br />
Just as with the physical construction of the hospital, we are deeply involved with<br />
building the pediatric service lines for the <strong>El</strong> <strong>Paso</strong> community. Service lines are patient<br />
care areas with separate identities such as pediatrics. We initiated our “people project” by<br />
recruiting and expanding our pediatric critical care areas. Jorge Sainz, M.D., Clint Woosley,<br />
M.D., and Bert Johansson, M.D. form the backbone of the pediatric intensive care unit.<br />
Secondly, our pediatric surgery service line includes Donald Meier, M.D., William<br />
McIlvaine, M.D., Thomas Rothenbach, M.D. and <strong>El</strong> <strong>Paso</strong>’s own Bill Spurbeck, M.D.<br />
These faculty members already work within the <strong>University</strong> Medical <strong>Center</strong>’s programs<br />
seeing patients and teaching residents. Also in the works are pediatric oncology, pediatric<br />
radiology, pediatric neurology, pediatric endocrinology, and pediatric emergency medicine.<br />
The key person recruited to oversee these areas will wear two hats. The first hat will be<br />
as Chairman of Pediatrics, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine. The second will be as<br />
Pediatrician-in-Chief, <strong>El</strong> <strong>Paso</strong> Children’s Hospital. We are currently interviewing people<br />
for all of the positions above. Once <strong>El</strong> <strong>Paso</strong> Children’s Hospital's physical construction<br />
is complete, those programs will be moved from <strong>University</strong> Medical <strong>Center</strong> into their<br />
home in the new building.<br />
National Institutes of <strong>Health</strong> - Concurrent to growing our pediatric service lines, we<br />
are also growing our research capabilities. On Thursday, February 18th, the campus<br />
hosted a symposium for senior leaders from the National Institutes of <strong>Health</strong> (NIH).<br />
In conjunction with the Medical <strong>Center</strong> of the Americas, <strong>University</strong> of <strong>Texas</strong> at <strong>El</strong> <strong>Paso</strong>,<br />
and Congressman Sylvestre Reyes’ office, the presentation demonstrated our region's<br />
research capabilities to these national leaders. The NIH is the largest funding resource<br />
for human research. The work taking place in our <strong>Center</strong>s of Excellence, including cancer,<br />
diabetes and obesity, infectious disease, and neurosciences research, is exemplary but a<br />
major grant from the NIH can catapult an already excellent program to the next level.<br />
That's why it was our honor to have the NIH representatives visit and listen to our<br />
researchers and see the important work being done here along the border. Please read<br />
more about their visit in the following story.<br />
I often use the analogy of a three-legged stool to describe our services. I’m excited to<br />
see all three legs, patient care, education, and research, further develop. Next week we will<br />
talk about educational growth on our campus.<br />
- Jose Manuel de la Rosa, M.D. Founding Dean
Traffic Control<br />
There have been changes<br />
made to the entrance and exit<br />
gates of the Archer/MEB/MSB<br />
parking lot on Concepcion St.<br />
The existing southwest<br />
entrance/exit has been changed<br />
to “enter only”. The northwest<br />
gate is now “exit only”. Also,<br />
the traffic flow has changed and<br />
is indicated by arrows on the<br />
pavement and signage. This was<br />
done in an attempt to make our<br />
campus safer. We ask for your<br />
cooperation in observing all<br />
traffic and parking rules and<br />
regulations.<br />
Ride For World <strong>Health</strong><br />
Volunteers are needed to<br />
help organize a visit from Ride<br />
for World <strong>Health</strong> (R4WH)<br />
cyclists. R4WH is a national,<br />
non-profit organization which<br />
advocates for improvements in<br />
the quality and accessibility of<br />
global healthcare. Each year,<br />
by utilizing a cross-country<br />
bike ride as a vehicle of<br />
communication, R4WH<br />
addresses this issue through<br />
political advocacy, fundraising<br />
and its unique Coast-to-Coast<br />
Lecture Series. This year,<br />
R4WH has decided to make<br />
<strong>El</strong> <strong>Paso</strong> one of its official stops,<br />
April 14 - 16. If you would like<br />
to help with this worthy event,<br />
please contact MS1 Lisa Fisher<br />
at lisa.fisher@ttuhsc.edu.<br />
If you are unable to<br />
volunteer, but would like to<br />
make a donation to R4WH,<br />
you can go online to<br />
http://www.rideforworldhealth.<br />
org/support/donations.html<br />
and make one there.<br />
TTUHSC Paul L. Foster School of Medicine Hosts<br />
National Institutes of <strong>Health</strong> Leaders<br />
The Medical <strong>Center</strong> of the Americas Foundation, in conjunction with Congressman<br />
Silvestre Reyes, proudly welcomed the United States Department of <strong>Health</strong> and Human<br />
Services - National Institutes of <strong>Health</strong> (NIH), the nation's leading medical research<br />
agency, to the <strong>Paso</strong> del Norte Region for the first Medical <strong>Center</strong> of the Americas (MCA)<br />
Research Advancement Symposium. The symposium, reserved for approximately 100<br />
healthcare professionals and elected officials, was hosted by the Paul L. Foster School of<br />
Medicine.<br />
The NIH sent distinguished representatives, including Della Hann, Ph.D, acting deputy<br />
director, NIH Office of Extramural Research and Joyce Hunter, Ph.D, deputy director,<br />
National <strong>Center</strong> on Minority <strong>Health</strong> and <strong>Health</strong> Disparities (NCMHD), to the border<br />
region to learn about our research efforts and capacity and to share ideas crucial for<br />
successfully obtaining NIH funding. "This form of communication between the NIH<br />
and a community, as well as tours of key research facilities by NIH staff, is unprecedented"<br />
said Congressman Silvestre Reyes. "This is a significant step towards the expansion of life<br />
sciences research in our region."<br />
On February 18, 2010, the NIH Representatives spent the day at the <strong>Texas</strong> <strong>Tech</strong><br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Sciences</strong> <strong>Center</strong>, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine (SOM). The group<br />
learned about <strong>El</strong> <strong>Paso</strong>, Las Cruces and Juarez's research capacity and regional partnerships,<br />
toured the Paul L. Foster SOM and UTEP research facilities, and answered pointed<br />
questions about how our region can achieve more success in attaining NIH funding as<br />
minority institutions and relatively young institutions entering a highly competitive life<br />
sciences industry.<br />
The NIH is the leading supporter of research in the nation. The NIH annually invests<br />
more than $28 billion in medical research. "More than 83% of the NIH's funding is<br />
awarded through almost 50,000 competitive grants to more than 325,000 researchers at<br />
more than 3,000 universities, medical schools, and other research institutions in every state<br />
and around the world," according to its website at: www.nih.gov.<br />
According to Jose Manuel de la Rosa, M.D., founding dean of the Paul L. Foster SOM,<br />
"We want <strong>El</strong> <strong>Paso</strong> to be one of those communities that successfully competes and is<br />
awarded NIH funding to continue research in the areas of Hispanic, military and border<br />
health issues. This was a rare opportunity to show this high level delegation that we have<br />
the infrastructure and talent to be the leaders in those research areas most important to<br />
this community and Hispanics across the nation."<br />
Second Class of Medical Students Chosen for<br />
TTUHSC Paul L. Foster School of Medicine<br />
<strong>Texas</strong> <strong>Tech</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Sciences</strong> <strong>Center</strong> Paul L. Foster School of Medicine at<br />
<strong>El</strong> <strong>Paso</strong> has selected an excellent group of highly qualified students for its next class of<br />
first year medical students. "We are thrilled with the very competitive applicants who<br />
matched with our medical school," said Manuel Schydlower, M.D., associate dean for<br />
admissions and professor of pediatrics, TTUHSC Paul L. Foster School of Medicine.<br />
From May - October, 2009, the School received more than 2500 applications for 60<br />
positions. On February 1, 2010, the <strong>Texas</strong> Medical and Dental School Application Service<br />
released the results of the student match with the TTUHSC Paul L. Foster School of<br />
Medicine. They include mostly students from <strong>Texas</strong> who were highly ranked by the<br />
Admissions Committee, including two from <strong>El</strong> <strong>Paso</strong>. Also highly ranked are two students<br />
from out-of-state who are expected to be part of the class that starts medical studies in<br />
July 2010.<br />
"Congratulations to our future students and kudos to the Admissions Committee,<br />
which did an outstanding job of selecting these candidates," said Jose Manuel de la Rosa, M.D.,<br />
founding dean of the TTUHSC Paul L. Foster School of Medicine. "Many in this new<br />
class will benefit from scholarships that were funded by generous donors in the<br />
<strong>El</strong> <strong>Paso</strong> region."<br />
Students represent 36 undergraduate universities from across <strong>Texas</strong> and the nation<br />
including <strong>Texas</strong> <strong>Tech</strong>, <strong>University</strong> of <strong>Texas</strong> (Arlington, Austin, and Dallas), Abilene
Ready, Set, Retire!<br />
If you're preparing to retire<br />
soon, or are just interested in<br />
planning for the future, plan<br />
to attend the Human Resources<br />
Benefits Workshop Ready, Set,<br />
Retire! for Higher Education<br />
Employees on February 25, 2010<br />
from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. in<br />
room 235.<br />
Christian <strong>University</strong>, Angelo State <strong>University</strong>, Austin College, Baylor <strong>University</strong>, Midwestern<br />
State <strong>University</strong>, Rice <strong>University</strong>, Southern Methodist <strong>University</strong>, Tarleton State <strong>University</strong>,<br />
<strong>Texas</strong> A&M, <strong>Texas</strong> Woman's <strong>University</strong>, <strong>University</strong> of Houston, and the <strong>University</strong> of<br />
North <strong>Texas</strong>. Also represented in next year's TTUHSC Paul L. Foster School of Medicine<br />
class are Brown <strong>University</strong>, California Institute of <strong>Tech</strong>nology, Emory <strong>University</strong>, Stanford<br />
<strong>University</strong>, <strong>University</strong> of Chicago, <strong>University</strong> of Pennsylvania, the United States Military<br />
Academy and Vanderbilt <strong>University</strong>.<br />
Two Papers by Internal Medicine Docs<br />
Published in APT Journal<br />
Several Department of Internal Medicine physicians were recently published in<br />
Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, the international journal of therapeutics in<br />
gastroenterology and hepatology.<br />
Authors and coauthors of "The Assessment of Regional Gut Times in <strong>Health</strong>y Controls<br />
and Patients with Gastroparesis Using Wireless Motility <strong>Tech</strong>nology," are Irene Sarosiek, K.H.<br />
Selover, L.A. Katz, J.R. Semler, G.E. Wildings, J.M. Lackner, M.D. Sitrin, B. Kuo, W.D. Chey, W.L.<br />
Hasler, K.L. Koch, H.P. Parkman, J. Sarosiek, and R.W. McCallum.<br />
"Who are the Responders to Standard Treatment with Tricyclic Antidepressant Agents<br />
for Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome in Adults?" listed authors and coauthors, R.A. Hejazi, T.H.<br />
Lavenbarg, P. Foran, and R.W. McCallum.<br />
Ongoing research in the area of gastroparesis continues at the TTUHSC Paul L. Foster<br />
School of Medicine.<br />
Mandatory HIPAA and Security Refresher<br />
Training Dates Added<br />
Additional sessions for Mandatory HIPAA and Security Refresher Training<br />
have been scheduled for February 22 , 23 and March 1 and 2.<br />
Locations and times of the sessions are:<br />
Monday, February 22:<br />
Medical <strong>Center</strong>, Aud. 3500, 11 a.m. and 12 noon (brown bag - no lunch provided)<br />
Tuesday, February 23:<br />
Medical <strong>Center</strong>, Rm. 3400, 11 a.m. (limited seating) and 1 a.m. (limited seating)<br />
Monday, March 1:<br />
Medical <strong>Center</strong>, Aud. 3500, 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.<br />
Tuesday, March 2:<br />
Medical <strong>Center</strong>, Aud. 3500, 11 a.m. and 12 noon (brown bag- no lunch provided)<br />
Each session will last approximately 45 minutes.<br />
If you plan to attend either training or if you have questions, please contact<br />
Yvette Quintana-Chávez at 545-6586, yvette.quintanachavez@ttuhsc.edu or<br />
Gabriela Corchado at 545-6742, gabriela.corchado@ttuhsc.edu.<br />
Quality Service Awards<br />
It's time for the <strong>El</strong> <strong>Paso</strong> campus to show its pride by nominating a fellow co-worker<br />
who shines for a Quality Service Award!<br />
The Quality Service Awards Program was implemented in 1996 to recognize and<br />
reward staff (individuals and teams) who excel in support of the TTUHSC SERVICEplus<br />
Philosophy.<br />
Nomination forms are available at http://www.ttuhsc.edu/hsc/op/op70/op7050a.pdf.<br />
You may submit the form electronically or download it and send it via campus mail no
H ispanic Participants<br />
N eeded for G enetics<br />
of Bipolar Study<br />
The <strong>Texas</strong> <strong>Tech</strong> <strong>University</strong><br />
<strong>Health</strong> <strong>Sciences</strong> <strong>Center</strong> Paul L.<br />
Foster School of Medicine<br />
Psychiatry Department<br />
needs Bipolar Type 1 or<br />
schizoaffective, Bipolar Type<br />
patients ages 11-90 to<br />
participate in a genetic study<br />
ending February 28.<br />
Participants will receive<br />
$100-$140 for taking part in<br />
this study. David Briones, M.D.,<br />
is the principal investigator.<br />
For more information, please<br />
call Mor Regev, Pilar Provencio,<br />
or Mayra Morales at (915)<br />
545-6830, ext. 228 or 270.<br />
W e W ant To<br />
H ear From You<br />
The <strong>Texas</strong> <strong>Tech</strong> <strong>University</strong><br />
Paul L. Foster School of<br />
Medicine Department of<br />
OB/GYN needs women 18<br />
to 45 years old to participate<br />
in focus groups to discuss<br />
emergency contraception<br />
(the morning after pill).<br />
Participants will receive $15<br />
for taking part in this study.<br />
Claudia Suarez, M.D., is the<br />
principal investigator for this<br />
study. For more information,<br />
please call Loretta Hernandez<br />
at 545-6611, ext. 290 or Liz<br />
Ledger at 545-6611, ext. 225.<br />
<strong>Tech</strong> View <strong>Tech</strong><br />
later than Friday, February 26. For more information, contact Rebecca Salcido, Human<br />
Resources, at rebecca.salcido@ttuhsc.edu.<br />
To view the general policy and award criteria (OP 70.50), go to<br />
http://www.ttuhsc.edu/HSC/OP/OP70/op7050.pdf.<br />
Banner Update<br />
On March 11, 2010, <strong>Texas</strong> <strong>Tech</strong> will begin updating Banner 7 to Banner 8. From<br />
March 11 until March 15, 2010, the following areas on the HSC/TTU Employee tab<br />
will be unavailable:<br />
- My <strong>Texas</strong> <strong>Tech</strong> Information<br />
- My Timesheet (Non – Exempt Employees Only)<br />
- My Leave Reports (Exempt Employees Only)<br />
- My Leave Balances<br />
- My Personal Information<br />
- My Employment Information<br />
- My Earnings Statement<br />
On March 16, 2010, all areas of the HSC/TTU Employee tab will be active.<br />
Important Due Dates:<br />
- March 10, 2010, 5:00 pm CT - Exempt Employee Web Leave Reports (My Leave<br />
Reports) Submitted and Approved<br />
- March 17, 2010, 6:00 pm CT - Non-Exempt Employee Web Time Entry<br />
(My Timesheet)<br />
- March 1, 2010 – March 15, 2010 pay period time Submitted and Approved<br />
Beginning March 16, 2010, non-exempt employee leave balances will be displayed<br />
on their Web Time Entry screen. Exempt employees will still continue to view their<br />
leave balances on their Web Leave Reports screen.<br />
If you have any questions, please contact Payroll Services at<br />
webmaster.payroll@ttu.edu.<br />
View is published weekly by Communications & Marketing, <strong>Texas</strong> <strong>Tech</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Sciences</strong><br />
<strong>Center</strong> at <strong>El</strong> <strong>Paso</strong>. Please submit news in writing to Communications & Marketing, 4800 Alberta Ave.,<br />
<strong>El</strong> <strong>Paso</strong>, <strong>Texas</strong>, 79905; fax (915) 545-6432 or email lisa.ruley@ttuhsc.edu. Deadline is 10 a.m.,<br />
Wednesday. For information, call 545-6527.