october 2009
Dean's Comments
Two events occurred within a month and each has, in its own way, fundamental importance and meaning for the University of Nevada School of Medicine. On Sept. 24, we celebrated the School’s 40th anniversary. The founding dean, Dr. George Smith, as well as the longest-serving dean, Dr. Robert Daugherty, were special guests as we reflected with many alumni and guests what we have accomplished and where we want to go. Our guest speaker, noted author Atul Gawande, was a great draw, but I believe that the opportunity to reminisce with fellow students and former faculty teachers means at least as much to many of us. We rounded out the festivities with a kind of “showcase” CME day on Friday, Sept. 25 where distinguished current faculty leaders in the clinical sciences offered a potpourri of updates and new developments in their respective areas of expertise.
In October, we welcome a different set of visitors to the School: the Licensing Committee of Medical Education will conduct a site visit from Oct. 18 to 22. This is a critical accreditation visit that we need to pass in order to be able to operate a medical school. A number of committees and task forces have worked for more than a year on an extensive self-study in preparation for this visit. I have periodically referred in this newsletter to that preparation and its coordination under the dedicated leadership of Dr. Jennifer Kimmel and her staff. The visiting team will interact with students, faculty and administrators to take a pulse, as it were, of our School and to find out whether our self-assessment report has been on the mark and accurate. I know that we have a pulse, and it is strong and regular. And I think that the self-assessment has been so honest and thorough that I go into the site visit with confidence. Because of that confidence, I feel justified in making our 40th anniversary celebration into a proud statement of who we are and what we do.
Ole J.Thienhaus, M.D., MBA
Dean,
University of Nevada School of Medicine
Medical Education
Students study diabetes patients for summer research project
C.J. (Charles) Calvo and Rebecca Michael, both students in the Class of 2012, received the "Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Research Scholarship Grant" and worked with their research mentor, Ray Plodkowski, M.D., chief of the endocrinology, nutrition, and metabolism division in the Reno internal medicine department, over the summer to develop and execute a clinical research project. This project was entitled "The Impact of Metformin on Vitamin and Mineral Levels in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes". One of their goals was to characterize Vitamin B12 deficiency in participants with type 2 diabetes treated with metformin. They successfully completed the project and are currently writing abstracts for scientific meetings.
Bierkamper Convocation call for abstracts
All medical and graduate students are invited to submit abstracts for the 27th Annual Bierkamper Student Research Convocation by the December 4 deadline for presentation at the Jan. 19, 2010 event. Priority for abstract acceptance will be given to original unpublished basic and/or clinical research that includes development of a hypothesis, a methodical approach, collection of result and discussion. Go online for specifics and submission information.
Faculty
Britton receives funding to supplement NIH award
Fiona Britton, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, was recently awarded an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act administrative supplement in the amount of $232,218. This two-year grant is a supplement to the award she received in August 2008 from the National Institute for Heart Lung Blood Diseases at the NIH, in the amount of $1,756,200.
Her study will focus on a group of ion channels that allow chloride ions to pass through the membrane and are activated by intracellular calcium. These calcium-activated chloride channels have been recorded in the heart and are thought to be involved in the repolarization of the cardiac action potential. Britton has identified that bestrophin and TMEM16 channels, novel membrane proteins that function as calcium-activated chloride channels, are present in the heart. The overall goal of this research project is to determine the role of these chloride channels in regulating cardiac excitability. Britton will employ a multidisciplinary approach of molecular cell biology, cellular imaging, targeted gene disruption in transgenic mice and cardiovascular electrophysiology techniques to complete her research aims.
Ion channel proteins are responsible for the initiation and conduction of electrical activity in the heart. Disorders of conduction or ectopic initiation of electrical impulses in the heart give rise to cardiac arrhythmias, which are responsible for most of the 250,000 sudden cardiac deaths that occur in the United States each year. The activities of Britton’s research will provide important new information about the molecular identity, genetic diversity and function of calcium-activated chloride channels in the heart and may lead to new therapies for life threatening cardiac arrhythmias.
Bar-on co-authors two articles for Academic Medicine
Miriam Bar-on, M.D., associate dean for graduate medical education, and co-authors had two articles published in the September issue of Academic Medicine. The first, entitled “One Specialty's Collaborative Approach to Competency-Based Curriculum Development” describes a seven-step consensus development process used to create the two most recent editions of the Academic Pediatric Association's educational guidelines for pediatric residency. The second, entitled “Evaluation of the Use of an Interactive, Online Resource for Competency-Based Curriculum Development,” describes the pediatric educators' use of and satisfaction with the Academic Pediatric Association's Educational Guidelines for Pediatric Residency, resulting in a practical strategy for evaluating access to online curriculum development tools.
Pediatric allergy faculty members have paper accepted for presentation
Members of the Reno-based pediatric allergy group have a paper entitled, “Non-completion of pet avoidance measures in families with animal allergic asthmatic children,” accepted to the national meeting of the American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology in Miami Beach, Florida this November.
Wilson co-authors paper accepted for publication
Nevin Wilson, M.D., chair of Reno’s pediatrics department, co-authored a paper entitled, “Influence of cytokine gene variations on immunization to childhood vaccines” which has been accepted for publication in the journal Vaccine.
New hires, promotions, recognition
New director of operations and business development for Las Vegas joins University of Nevada School of Medicine clinical practice
David Rencher, recently chief executive officer of Desert View Regional Medical Center, has joined University Health System as director of operations and business development. University Health System is the statewide clinical practice of the University of Nevada School of Medicine.
School Notes
Foundation banquet celebrates School of Medicine's 40th anniversary
The University of Nevada, Reno’s Foundation Banquet honoring the School of Medicine’s 40th anniversary broke its own 28-year attendance record with nearly 1,000 people attending the annual fundraiser on Sept. 24 at John Ascuaga’s Nugget.
Prior to the dinner, the School’s Alumni Association hosted a reception for alumni, students, faculty and friends that was attended by more than 300 people. Susan Desmond-Hellman, M.D.’82, chancellor of the University of California San Francisco, was honored as the first recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award.
Annual Northern Nevada Race for the Cure is this weekend
The School of Medicine and University Health System are again supporting this year's Annual Northern Nevada Race for the Cure on Sunday, Oct. 4 on the University of Nevada, Reno campus quad, for the third consecutive year. As of last count, more than 40 students, faculty, staff, family and friends are participating on the School of Medicine/University Health System team, "Save Second Base."
Cafe at Center for Molecular Medicine needs a name
A café planned for the new Center for Molecular Medicine currently under construction on the north end of the UNR campus needs a name. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to nominate suitable names, according to Lyle Woodward, UNR’s project manager for the Center for Molecular Medicine. The café, which will be similar in style and feel to the Nevada Museum of Art’s Café Musee, will serve hot and cold sandwiches, salads, soups and smoothies. Please submit your proposed café name ideas to Woodward via email. The winning nomination will receive $100.
Dessert social planned for October 9
All are invited to attend a dessert social and fundraiser, presented by the American Medical Women’s Association and Women in Medicine, on Friday, Oct. 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Joe Crowley Student Union on the University of Nevada, Reno campus. Admission is $20 in advance or $25 at the door for an evening of delectable desserts from a variety of vendors including Starbucks, the Eldorado Hotel, the Peppermill Hotel, Isabel’s, TJ’s Cookies and Nothing Bundt Cakes. Benefits aimed at advancing the status of women in medicine in Nevada. Contact Shaina Beesemyer via email for tickets.
Elder care training classes offered statewide this fall
The Nevada Geriatric Education Center, a joint program of the University of Nevada School of Medicine and the Sanford Center for Aging, along with partners Aging and Disability Services Division and the Nevada Care Connection are offering a series of elder care workshops across the state this fall. Sessions will be held in Battle Mountain, Winnemucca, Lovelock, Carson City, Las Vegas and Ely. The workshops are intended for those wanting to learn more about caring for an elderly friend or family member as well as those caring for elders professionally. For more information on dates and to register, contact Diann Jones at (775)682-8470.
Women in Health Sciences event scheduled for December 7
The School of Medicine, the Division of Health Sciences and the Orvis School of Nursing are hosting a half-day seminar with presentations and workshops on Monday, Dec. 7 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. the Pennington Medical Education Building, Room 12, on the UNR campus. Guest speaker will be Elizabeth Travis, Ph.D., of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center speaking on “Achieving Work-Life Balance.” Box lunch will be provided. Please sign-up with the Office of Faculty Affairs and Development by calling (775)784-6777 or via email.
Clinic dates announced for October
The University of Nevada School of Medicine’s Student Outreach Clinics for October are planned for the following dates: a children’s clinic on Oct. 10 from 8 a.m. to noon, a women’s clinic on Oct. 19 from 6 to 9 p.m. and a general clinic on Oct. 24 from 8 a.m. to noon. Medical students, supervised by faculty physicians, will provide basic check-ups and care to Washoe County’s uninsured population. All clinics held at the Family Medicine Center on the UNR campus.
Synapse is now on Facebook
Synapse, the magazine of the University of Nevada School of Medicine, is now on Facebook, the social networking website. Become a fan of the magazine to receive news and updates that may be of interest to students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the School of Medicine. It’s an easy way to engage with the school and stay current. Read more
School hosts free weight loss seminars
The University of Nevada School of Medicine and University Medical Center will host free seminars on weight loss surgery, to the general public in Las Vegas in October. Different aspects of weight loss surgery, including nutrition, health and fitness, lifestyle changes, surgical options and other health topics will be discussed. Read more
Fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery program held in Las Vegas
Shawn Tsuda, M.D., chief of minimally invasive and bariatric surgery and director of the surgical skills and simulation laboratory at the University of Nevada School of Medicine, held the first-ever skills enhancement and assessment course and certification, “The Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery,” in Las Vegas on Sept. 26. Read more
Professional development opportunities for October
The Office of Continuing Medical Educations has CME opportunities to announce for October:
The 2009 Annual Diabetes Conference will be held Friday, Oct. 2 at the Peppermill Convention Center in Reno. The topic is “Insulin Resistance: Why a Cluster is a Cluster.” The 10th Annual Autumn Update of Networking for HIV Care is scheduled for Oct. 17 and 18 at Northstar-at-Tahoe in Truckee, Calif.
To register or for additional information on either of these events, call (775)784-4782.
Offerings at Nevada Cancer Institute in Las Vegas
Nevada Cancer Institute in Las Vegas is offering continuing medical education opportunities in October. On Friday, October 9, Liegh Zawel, Ph.D., oncology group leader for Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Inc., in Cambridge, Mass., will talk on “Development of Inhibitor of Apoptosis (IAP) Antagonists as Cancer Therapeutics,” from noon to 1 p.m. For more information on continuing medical education offerings and to register, call Diane Terrano at (702)822-5163.
The institute will also conduct community lectures in October including Phillip J. Manno, M.D., FACP, chief of clinical oncology and hematology services at NVCI, discussing “Breast Cancer: Risk Factors and Heredity” at noon on Friday, Oct. 16. To register for community lectures at NVCI, call Lisa Emrich at (702)821-0071.
Support High Sierra Area Health Education Center
Support the High Sierra Area Health Education Center by participating with your reusable bag donations through Reno-area Whole Foods markets now through Jan. 17, 2010. High Sierra Area Health Education Center has been chosen as one of the featured non-profit organizations for Whole Foods’ Nickels for Non-Profits campaign. Whole Foods customers in the Reno area are invited to donate the nickel(s) they save by using a reusable bag at the checkout counter to HSHEC. Donations will be collected through January 17 and given to HSAHEC. More information on High Sierra Area Health Education Center.
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
Students study diabetes patients for summer research project
Bierkamper Convocation call for abstracts
Faculty
Britton receives funding to supplement NIH award
Bar-on co-authors two articles for Academic Medicine
Pediatric allergy faculty members have paper accepted for presentation
Wilson co-authors paper accepted for publication
New hires, promotions, recognition
School Notes
Foundation banquet celebrates School of Medicine's 40th anniversary
Annual Northern Nevada Race for the Cure is this weekend
Cafe at Center for Molecular Medicine needs a name
Dessert social planned for October 9
Elder care training classes offered statewide this fall
Women in Health Sciences event scheduled for December 7
Clinic dates announced for October
School hosts free weight loss seminars
Fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery program held in Las Vegas
Professional development opportunities for October
Nevada Cancer Institute offerings
Archive 2009
Jan., Feb., March, April, May, June, July, Aug. , Sept.
Archive 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 Anne McMillin , editor, for publication. Deadline is the 20th of the month prior to publication. Edgar Antonio Nunez, webmaster. Copyright 2009 University of Nevada School of Medicine.