July 2008
Dean's Comments
I have been asked to serve as dean of the University of Nevada School of Medicine for the next two years. Times are difficult, as everyone knows, with the U.S. in economic straits and the State of Nevada going through its worst budget crisis since the 1930s. The economic context co-exists with the ever-changing vagaries of a dysfunctional health care financing system and dismal public health statistics in our local communities.
My job assignment reminded me of the lyrics of an old Jerry Reed song, “Eastbound and Down”: Eastbound and down, loaded up and truckin',
We're gonna do what they say can't be done; We've got a long way to go and a short time to get there.
Where the enjoyable aspects of administrative leadership positions rely on the ability to invest in expansion and new projects, I am starting my job with the unhappy need to cut and contract programs. I don’t mean to gloss over the strain and heartache the current straits cause, and yet, I think we can point to some strengths and positive developments that occur despite the imposition of austerity measures.
For instance, we are going into the new academic year looking at opportunities for solidifying our presence in Las Vegas with new initiatives in gastroenterology and neurology under the leadership of Dan Goodenberger, M.D. Such initiatives help to rebuild the public’s confidence in medicine in Southern Nevada that had been badly shaken by events earlier this spring. In the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Paul Stumpf, M.D., has begun a process of injecting an exciting element of research orientation into the residency program, culminating in a recent research presentation competition and CME day.
Other departments--surgery, pediatrics, family medicine, psychiatry, as well as, our basic sciences--have their own accomplishments which I hope to highlight in the times ahead.
The circumstances compel us to concentrate our limited existing resources on strengthening and building up elements that sustain our core mission. Some nice-to-have and useful but non-essential components will contract. At the same time, we are intensifying all efforts at growing and diversifying our funding base. The Practice Plans, our affiliation with UMC and Renown Medical Center, and our pursuit of grants and philanthropic support are all critical in this regard. I also hope that the principles of the new compensation proposal will serve to increase equitability and fiscal responsibility throughout the school.
I’m confident we will get through the current crisis and thrive. A lot of good things have happened over the past few years under John McDonald’s leadership, and I hope to build on that legacy.
Ole J.Thienhaus, M.D., MBA
Dean,
University of Nevada School of Medicine
Medical Education
Students, physicians offer medical care at Volleyball Festival
Physicians and medical students from the University of Nevada School of Medicine are providing on-site medical services during the women’s Volleyball Festival held at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center June 27 through July 3. Nearly 10,000 athletes are expected to participate in the tournament which is billed as the world’s largest all female non-professional sporting event.
This is the third year a team from the School of Medicine has provided volunteer medical support for the Festival. The team works with the tournament’s athletic trainers to help treat a variety of sports and non-sports related injuries and illnesses including sprained ankles, torn ACLs, concussions, flu and cold symptoms and more.
Students, faculty assist at Reno Rodeo
Physicians and second-year students from the University of Nevada School of Medicine joined with Justin Sports Medicine, REMSA and Reno Rodeo Association medical volunteers to provide assistance to competing cowboys and cowgirls as well as fans sitting in the grandstands or attending the adjoining carnival at the 2008 Reno Rodeo. Read more
Students' Nicaragua trip a success
Alyce Sutko, Class of 2011, coordinated the recent student trip to Nicaragua to help the medically underserved of that country. She provided this account of the experience:
The Nevada to Nicaragua trip through the Bridges to Community organization was an incredible experience for everyone involved. We were able to provide seven days of clinics for the local communities, as well as participate in another seven days of cultural immersion.
Our clinics were run in two separate locations within an impoverished community outside of the capital of Ticuantepe, Nicaragua. The locations included a school house in a rural community surrounded by pineapple fields and a community center in a somewhat more urban population. We saw anywhere from 30-45 patients per day, who were prioritized through the local health leaders, a concept that Bridges to Community tries to embody in order to empower the local leaders.
We worked alongside local nurses, dentists, and translators. Common conditions treated included skin infections, muscle aches, urinary tract infections, and diabetes. Furthermore, students participated in health workshops to local female groups and high school students to provide education on self breast exams, the importance of cervical cancer screenings, and sexually transmitted diseases.
Overall, the trip was a truly educational experience, not only surrounding medicine, but also on a personal and cultural level.
Class of 2008 honors faculty, class members at awards ceremony
The graduated members of the Class of 2008 honored their own and faculty members at the annual awards ceremony this spring. A complete list of award winners is available.
Remaining summer clinic dates announced
The remaining University of Nevada School of Medicine Student Outreach Clinics
for this summer have been announced for Saturday, July 12, and Saturday, August 9. All clinics will be held from 8 a.m. to noon. Read more
Faculty
Attendance encouraged at conference highlighting preparedness
Area Health Education Center of Southern Nevada is bringing together international, national, and regional experts in preparedness basics, law enforcement, disaster, mental health, patient care, and business planning and continuity at the 2008 Western Regional Preparedness Conference July 15-18 at the Renaissance Hotel in Las Vegas.
Each track will not only offer the chance to attend three days of didactic training by expert faculty, but will offer participants the opportunity to participate in tabletop exercises, thus enhancing confidence and competency in the event of emergency. Additionally, post-conference workshops will offer intensive educational opportunities that enhance your ability to respond effectively to disaster.
This conference is especially suitable for psychiatry and behavioral sciences, emergency medicine and family medicine departments at the School.
Pediatricians author book chapter
Nevin Wilson, M.D., chair of the Reno pediatrics department and Mary Beth Hogan, M.D., a specialist in allergy and immunology, recently completely a book chapter for Patterson’s Allergic Diseases and a review article for Current Allergy and Asthma Reports.
Antonuccio writes for two publications
David Antonuccio, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, recently published two articles. The first, entitled “Tailoring Treatment to Parental Values: A Comment on TADS” appears in the Archives of General Psychiatry. The second, “Treating Depressed Children with Antidepressants: More Harm than Benefit?” appears in the Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings.
Craviso's research featured in defense publication
An article titled "Nervous Breakdown" in the June 2008 issue of Defense Technology International features the research of Gale Craviso, Ph.D., a professor in the department of pharmacology and her colleague Indira Chatterjee, a professor in the department of electrical and biomedical engineering at UNR. Their research is an interdisciplinary project funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research that seeks to understand the interaction between radiofrequency and microwave radiation with biological cells. The goal is to apply the knowledge that is gained towards the development of non-invasive ways to safely manipulate biological systems for both military and non-military (i.e., medical) purposes.
Bloch addresses American College of Physicians
Michael Bloch, M.D., associate professor of internal medicine, recently gave a presentation entitled, “Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Cardiometabolic Risk: Lessons for Clinical Practice”
to the American College of Physicians.
Veach retires after 32 years
Tracy Veach, Ed.D.,a professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and associate dean for the Office of Faculty Affairs and Development, retired at the end of June after 32 years of dedicated service to the School of Medicine and 38 years total with the state.
New hires and promotions
Jakoby joins internal medicine department in Las Vegas
The University of Nevada School of Medicine announces the addition of Michael G. Jakoby, M.D., to its staff as an associate professor and chief of endocrinology in the internal medicine department in Las Vegas. He will be instrumental in the joint development of a Diabetes Center of Excellence with University Medical Center. Read more
Holcombe promoted to executive director
University Health System, the clinical practice of the University of Nevada School of Medicine, promoted Jennifer Holcombe to executive director of practice plan operations north. Holcombe brings 13 years of healthcare experience, including previous positions with University Health System where she began in the internal medicine clinic as manager, moving to director of clinical services. Read more
Rudd promoted to office supervisor at University Health System in Reno
Rebecca “Becca” Rudd has been promoted to office supervisor for the new internal medicine primary clinic opening on the Renown Medical Center campus in Reno. She will have oversight for the front office and back office for the day-to-day processes. Rudd has worked in healthcare for five years and received her medical assistant certification from Career College of Northern Nevada.
Since joining the clinical practice, Rudd has worked in the medical records, the back office as a medical assistant, and most recently as the supervisor for the front office, all at The Plaza internal medicine office.
Barlow assumes clinic manager position
Jolie Barlow was promoted to the clinic manager position in pediatrics in Reno. Barlow has worked with University Health System for almost five years in various supervisory and management positions.
Transfers and hires announced
Marlen Hernandez, a front office specialist at the Family Medicine Center transferred to an office specialist position at pediatrics. Hernandez has been with University Health System for two years, beginning as a student worker.
Rena Riggs, a front office specialist at the Family Medicine Center transferred to the billing department. Riggs has been the face of the Family Medicine Center since Feb. 1995, working as a front office specialist for 13 years.
Susan Hirsch was hired as director of social programs for the Lou Ruvo office in Las Vegas.
School Notes
Rockin' Docs concert July 12
Your prescription for a rockin’ summer night is on Saturday, July 12 at 6 p.m. at the Wolf Run Gold Club where medical school students and faculty will perform live music in a benefit for the Student Outreach Clinic and the Healing Arts Program at Renown Medical Center in Reno.
Performers at the Rockin' Docs concert include MS09's very own Livor Mortis, headed by the talented Alex Cardenas, and "White Coat Syndrome" featuring family medicine's Brion Hill, M.D. This concert is presented by Louis A. Bonaldi, M.D. '77 and part of Reno’s Artown. Buy tickets to this event.
Endowment established by school's founder's widow
Mrs. Nena Miller, the widow of former University of Nevada, Reno President N. Edd Miller, donated funds in honor of her husband’s memory for the establishment of a permanent endowment at the School of Medicine to be called the N. Edd Miller Founder’s Fund for the School of Medicine.
President Miller, who led the University from 1965 to 1973 during a time of turbulence and controversy over the war in Vietnam and race issues on many American campuses, worked tirelessly to establish a public medical school in Nevada. President Miller collaborated with key external supporters such as Fred Anderson, M.D. and H. Edward Manville to develop public and private support for what was then a very controversial endeavor. With patience and perseverance and through the belief that the new school would be of great future benefit to all of Nevada, President Miller overcame many obstacles to establish the medical school.
School's chief residents named
Twenty-five medical residents at the University of Nevada School of Medicine achieved chief resident status. This includes six graduates from the classes of 2004, 2005 and 2006 who were named as chief residents in their respective training programs. Read more
State job openings at the School of Medicine
Review state job openings at the School of Medicine.
In This Edition
Medical Education
Students, physicians offer medical care at Volleyball Festival
Students, faculty assist at Reno Rodeo
Students' Nicaragua trip a success
Faculty
Attendance encouraged at conference highlighting preparedness
Pediatricians author book chapter
Antonuccio writes for two publications
Craviso's research featured in defense publication
Bloch addresses American College of Physicians
New hires, promotions
Jakoby joins internal medicine department in Las Vegas
Holcombe promoted to executive director
Rudd promoted to office supervisor
Barlow assumes clinic manager position
School Notes
Endowment established by school's founder's widow
School's chief residents named
State job openings at the School of Medicine
Past Editions 2008
Inside Nevada Medicine is a service of the Office of Health Science Communications, University of Nevada School of Medicine and is published monthly. Faculty, staff, residents and students are encouraged to submit items of school-wide interest to Editor Anne McMillin for publication. Deadline is the 20th of the month prior to publication. Copyright 2008 University of Nevada School of Medicine.