September 2008
Dean's Comments
When all is said and done, when the dust settles…the University of Nevada School of Medicine is all about one mission: to educate and train medical students to become physicians.
I am proud to say that, on Friday, Aug. 15, 62 young people took us by our word and put on those white coats that symbolize what we value in our doctors. The annual White Coat ceremony is the culmination of a week of orientation and preparation for a challenging and rewarding career path. It was moving to hear our incoming students recite the Honor Pledge and to join them in celebrating this important day with their families. I once again want to extend my welcome to all of them. I also want to thank Dr. Peggy Dupey who was the MC and hostess of the event, putting the final touches of perfection on a celebration masterfully prepared by her, Dr. Cheryl Hug-English and their staff.
Personally, I think I can speak for all our faculty when I say that events like this are powerful reminders of why we chose careers in academic medicine in the first place. The shared experience of learning and skill-acquisition is unique and helps to establish bonds that reach far beyond the time spent together in classrooms and teaching wards. The commitment and presence of our alumni of nearly 40 years speak to the enduring connection between medical school and the practicing physicians who trained here.
Dr. Louis Bonaldi, Class of '77, who volunteered at the piano at the White Coat ceremony represented this wonderful group of our graduates who infuse a vital sense of continuity to our educational enterprise. Taking all elements together – incoming students, sophomore students who help orient them, families, faculty and staff, and the alumni – it appears to me that we are well on our way to establish our unique tradition as the University of Nevada School of Medicine. Speaking for myself, I can say that I am proud to be a part of it.
Ole J.Thienhaus, M.D., MBA
Dean,
University of Nevada School of Medicine
Medical Education
AMSA chapter hosts fundraiser for Nevada AIDS Foundation
The School’s chapter of the American Medical Student Association is hosting a fundraising event for the Nevada AIDS Foundation on Sept. 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the architecture firm of Cathexes in Reno. The evening will involve food, beverages and music as the chapter seeks to raise funds for this organization which provides assistance, support and advocacy for those living with HIV/AIDS. Tickets are $35 or $25 for students and are available through the NAF website. All are welcome to attend.
White Coat ceremony welcomes class of 2012
The 62 new medical students from the Class of 2012 affirmed their commitment to the medical profession during the annual White Coat ceremony on Aug. 15 at the Joe Crowley Student Union Ballroom. Read more
First-year students enjoy pancakes at annual breakfast
This year's new medical students and their families enjoyed the annual pancake breakfast, served by faculty leadership in white chef’s hats, on Friday Aug. 15 as orientation week wrapped up before classes began on Aug. 18.
Faculty
Faculty workshops accepted at AAMC conference
Several faculty members have had workshops accepted for the American Association of Medical Colleges’ annual conference this November in San Antonio, Texas. Miriam Bar-on, M.D., and Jennifer Kimmel, M.D., will present “Navigating Successful Mentoring Relationships” while Cheryl Hug English, M.D., MPH; Peggy Dupey, Ph.D.; Marin Gillis, Ph.D. and Melissa Piasecki, M.D. will discuss “Finding the ‘Write’ Words: Documenting Student Professionalism.”
Kulick to author book chapter
Doina Kulick, M.D., assistant professor for internal medicine in Reno, is contributing as first author for a chapter on the bariatric surgery patient for the medical education book entitled “Medical Nutrition and Disease: A Case-Based Approach” which will be released early next year.
Plodkowski will chair oral presentation session
Ray Plodkowski, M.D., assistant professor of internal medicine in Reno, has been asked to chair the oral abstract presentation session entitled "Clinical Studies - Pharmacotherapy for Treatment of Obesity" at The Obesity Society’s annual scientific meeting next month in Phoenix.
Higgins, Brancamp selected as Scholars in Health Literacy
Dianne Higgins, M.D., MPH, an assistant professor from the School’s department of family and community medicine in Reno, and Tami Brancamp, Ph.D., from Speech Pathology and Audiology, were among nine Division of Health Sciences faculty members selected as the first Scholars in Health Literacy and Aging. Health literacy seeks to enhance health communication in order to improve patient outcomes.
The project, which develops knowledge and skills about health literacy, effective teamwork and caring for older adults, is funded through a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration.
Lecture on arts, healthcare will earn participants credit
Renown Regional Medical Center will host a lecture by Amir Parsa, education director at New York’s Museum of Modern Art, entitled “The Value and Importance of Arts in Healthcare” on Tuesday, Sept. 2 from noon to 1 p.m. in the Mack Auditorium at Renown. This activity is designed for physicians and interested healthcare providers and is designated for a maximum of one AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
New hires, promotions and recognitions
Two physicians hired for internal medicine department in Reno
The University of Nevada School of Medicine announces the appointment of two physicians to its Department of Internal Medicine in Reno. These physicians will teach medical students and practice within University Health System, the clinical practice of the School of Medicine. Evan Klass, M.D., will specialize in endocrinology while Timothy Baker, M.D. will focus on primary care internal medicine. Read more
New staff hired for Las Vegas clinics
University Health System in Las Vegas announces the hiring of the following people for its clinics: Jeffrey Scott, computer tech and Linda Tolentino, assistant, both in administration; Taylor Watkins, front office specialist, obstetrics; Maduka Enemuo, survey facilitator and Abby Levine, outreach coordinator, for pediatrics; Retchelle Baldridge, human resources generalist, administration; and Charlene Coats and Melanie Sarte, medical assistants and Mirna Ruano, front office specialist, all in pediatrics. Aadee Mizrachi, a student at UNLV, is working for the Psychiatry-Lou Ruvo office as a behavioral specialist.
Lloyd returns to University Health System in Reno
LeeAnn Lloyd returns to University Health System as an office specialist in pediatrics in Reno following more than eight years of military service.
School Notes
Lecture on arts, healthcare and aging scheduled for Sept. 3
Students and faculty are invited at attend a free lecture entitled “The Arts, Healthcare and Aging” on Wednesday, Sept. 3 from noon to 1 p.m. in the Joe Crowley Student Union theater (3rd floor) presented by Amir Parsa, education director at the Museum of Modern Art where he manages programs, curricula, events and models of educational interaction for diverse audiences. Read more
Get ready to run; Komen race team meeting on Sept. 4
Lace up your running shoes and get ready to “Race for a Cure.” Join students, faculty and staff on Sunday, October 5 as University Health System and the University of Nevada School of Medicine team up with the northern Nevada chapter of the Susan G. Komen Foundation to help work to find a cure for breast cancer.
University Health System, the medical school’s clinical practice, is sponsoring the 10th Annual “Race for the Cure” which is expected to draw 4,000 participants and will be held on the University of Nevada, Reno campus beginning at 8 a.m. that Sunday.
In addition to having an informational booth at the race, the school and practice are looking for individuals interested in joining the “University of Nevada School of Medicine/University Health System” race team. A team organizational meeting will be held Thursday, Sept. 4 at noon in Pennington 20 and anyone interested is welcome to attend this brown bag gathering. Beverages will be provided.
For more information or for those interested in volunteering or participating contact Anne McMillin, APR in Health Science Communications at 775-682-9254 or Liana McGill, race team co-captain, at 775-784-1223 ext. 305.
Lecture to address teaching, personality type in health education
Faculty and students at the School of Medicine are invited to attend a two-day lecture series on “Teaching and Personality Type in Health Education” presented John Pelley, Ph.D., associate professor of cell biology and biochemistry at Texas Tech University School of Medicine. The series, with lecture sessions aimed at both students and faculty, will take place beginning at noon on Sept. 18 and conclude by 5 p.m. on Sept. 19. It will be video-conferenced between Pennington 16 in Reno and the pediatrics conference room in Las Vegas. For more information call (775)784-6063.
Tickets available for Whittemore Peterson Institute fundraiser on Sept. 19
The School of Medicine’s partner in the Center for Molecular Medicine, the Whittemore Peterson Institute, will host its 4th Annual 'I Hope You Can Dance' benefit on Sept. 19 at the Peppermill Hotel in Reno. This fundraiser will raise monies for research into the causes of chronic neuro-immune diseases. Tickets are available by calling 775-348-2335.
Conference focuses on keeping Nevada healthy
The Nevada Public Health Association’s annual conference is scheduled for Oct. 2 in Las Vegas.
The theme of this year’s conference is “Who will Keep the Public Healthy in Nevada?” and will feature plenary sessions on public health performance standards, urban sustainability in Nevada, social marketing theory and practice, public health policy 10 years after the tobacco master settlement agreement, and lessons learned from the recent hepatitis C outbreak in Clark County.
Three from school to attend GHHS biennial
A group of three from the School of Medicine will attend the third biennial of the Gold Humanism Honor Society next month. Peggy Dupey, Ph.D., assistant dean for student affairs, Julian Almeyda-Perez, M.D., chief resident in the Las Vegas internal medicine department and Kamin Van Guilder, Class of 2009 will travel to Chicago for this event.
The Gold Humanism Honor Society is a program of the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, founders of the White Coat Ceremony and the Clinicians’ Ceremony. Dupey is co-coordinator for this biennial.
Call for poems for publication in Journal of Medical Humanities
Poets are invited to submit up to three poems on the theme of illness for consideration to publish in the Journal of Medical Humanities. Interpretation of the theme remains with the poet and may be addressed directly or indirectly. Poems must be unpublished. Prompt notification is requested if accepted for publication elsewhere. Poems should not exceed 70 lines (12 point font, one inch margins), but may be of any form.
Submit via email with the poem attached as a Word document and include your name, email address and a brief biographical sketch in the body of the email. Deadline for submission is Nov. 15.
Selected poets will be notified and asked to write a brief commentary on their poem. Poems will appear with commentaries and an introduction by the editor in the Journal.
Dooley Family Foundation gives to School of Medicine
Reno residents John and Rosemarie Dooley have pledged a major gift to support the construction of the Health Sciences Education Building for the Division of Health Sciences on the University of Nevada, Reno campus. Dr. John Dooley is an ear, nose and throat specialist in Reno. The Dooleys' gift will help double the number of medical and nursing students while multiplying the impact of the division's leadership role in the improvement of Nevada’s health.
Class of 2010, faculty recognized as 'Healthcare Heroes'
Several University of Nevada School of Medicine faculty and the Class of 2010 were honored in July at banquets in Las Vegas and Reno at the Nevada Business Journal's Third Annual Healthcare Heroes Awards.
In Las Vegas, Echezona Ezeanolue, M.D. and Karla Jay were honored for their efforts in bettering healthcare for southern Nevadans. Read more
In Reno, Trudy Larson, M.D., Catherine McCarthy, M.D. and the Class of 2010 were nominated by a committee of healthcare experts for their efforts in helping evolve northern Nevada into a budding, major medical region. Read more
Click on image for an enlarged version
Grant opportunities focus on rural outreach
Several grants focusing on rural healthcare outreach are now available with application deadlines as early as Sept. 15. For application details or more information on these grants and others including several from the National Institutes of Health, contact Gwen Mathews, vice president of federal grant services division at 614-255-0313.
State job openings at the School of Medicine
Visit the University of Nevada, Reno Web site for a current list of state jobs at the University of Nevada School of Medicine.
In This Edition
Medical Education
AMSA chapter holds fundraiser for Nevada AIDS foundation
White Coat ceremony welcomes Class of 2012
New students enjoy pancake breakfast
Faculty
Faculty workshops accepted for AAMC conference
Plodkowski to chair oral presentation session
Higgins, Brancamp selected as Scholars in Health Literacy
Lecture on arts, healthcare will earn participants credit
New hires,promotions and recognitions
Two physicians hired for internal medicine department in Reno
New staff hired for Las Vegas clinics
Lloyd returns to University Health System
School Notes
Lecture on arts, healthcare and aging scheduled for Sept. 3
Get ready to run; Komen race team meeting is Sept. 4
Lecture to address teaching, personality type in health education
Tickets available for Whittemore Peterson Institute fundraiser Sept. 19
Conference focuses on keeping Nevada healthy
Three from School to attend GHHS biennial
Call for poems for publication in Journal of Medical Humanities
Dooley Family Foundation gives to School of Medicine
Class of 2010, faculty recognized as 'Healthcare Heroes'
Grant opportunities focus on rural outreach
Past Editions 2008
March, April, May/June, July, August
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.