News on the Go #685, January 27, 2009

Topics at a glance: The Legacy of Dr. King ... Wellness Fair ... UT System Wellness Programs & Services ... Library Updates ... CCTS Lecture Series ... NRC Distinguished Lecture ... Excellence in Education Series ... Family Medical Leave Act ... School of Public Health Events ... Darwin2009 Houston ... Tax Information Workshop ... Conflict Resolution ... Fleming Center Panel Discussion ... Doctors Orchestra of Houston ... CPR Training/ Certification ... iModules Scholarship Program ... Healthy Kids, Healthy Houston ... UTPD News ... IT SecuritySense ... Dental Services ... Virtual World Working Group ... WorkLife Wellness Tip of the Week ... HOOP Updates

The Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The Global Health Concentration of The University of Texas School of Public Health presents the Third Annual Commemoration of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “The Legacy of Dr. King’s Views for Health Care in America Today,” is scheduled noon – 1 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 27, in the School of Public Health RAS Auditorium E101 and via ITV to all UT School of Public Health Regional Campuses. Lunch will be provided for the first 100 attendees. For more information, contact Mary.L.Carroll@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-9265.

5th Annual Wellness Fair

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston will hold the 5th Annual Wellness Fair, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 28, at the UT Medical School Leather Lounge. The wellness fair is open to all students, faculty and staff of the health science center and offers a variety of health-related information and activities. There will be over 35 health and wellness exhibitors on site providing a variety of information and screenings including blood pressure, cholesterol, carotid artery and vision. Other health-related activities include chair massages and door prizes.

Additionally, a special wellness fair gift will be handed out to the first 500 attendees. Remember to bring your UT ID card and check in at the UT Counseling table. For more information, visit Auxiliary Enterprises or contact Pauline.M.Habetz@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-8425.

NEW! UT System Wellness Programs & Services

All UT Select insured employees should have received a flyer in the mail this week announcing the new UT System “Living Well”Program that offers new benefits you can access from your computer at home, work, or your web-based mobile device. Some of the new features include:

• Online Personal Health Manager – tools & information to help you lose weight, eat better, get fit, quit smoking or better manage your stress.
  
  
• 2nd Annual UT System Physical Activity Challenge Program – encouraging you to exercise 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week for 6 weeks.
  
  
• 100% free colonoscopy preventive coverage.
  
  
• 24/7 Nurseline.

For additional one-on-one assistance, call and make an appointment with Wellness Coach Sam Hester, cWC, CPT, LWMC, at 713-500-3327. It’s confidential and free. Visit UT Counseling and Wellness Services for more information on the wellness services provided.

HAM-TMC Library Updates

ABCs of DNA: Genetics for Consumers Class
Do you ever wonder what the odds are of you getting the conditions your grandparents had? Check out the class ABCs of DNA: Unraveling the Mystery of Genetics Information for Consumers 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Library.

To register, visit HAM-TMC Library. This class is part of the Darwin2009 Houston Celebration.

HAM-TMC Library Classes

• Excel 2007 Basic – 10 a.m. – noon, Wednesday, Jan. 28
• NLM Gateway and Clinical Trials – 1 – 5 p.m., Monday, Feb. 2
• Finding Electronic Resources – 5 – 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 3
• PubMed – 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 3
• Excel 2007 Basic – 10 a.m. – noon, Wednesday, Feb. 4
• Excel 2007 Intermediate – 10 a.m. – noon, Wednesday, Feb. 11
• PubMed – 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 17
• PowerPoint 2007 Basic – 10 a.m. – noon Wednesday, Feb. 18
• Excel 2007 Basic – 10 a.m. – noon, Thursday, Feb. 26

All classes are free and offered in the library classroom. Click here to view the complete class schedule and register.

CCTS Lecture Series

The Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences presents the following lecture series, noon – 1 p.m., Thursdays throughout January, in the UT Professional Building, 11th floor. The January schedule includes:

• Jan. 29 - "Ligand-directed Tumor Targeting and Molecular Imaging in Cancer Medicine," presented by Wadih Arap, M.D., Ph.D., professor, Genitourinary Medical Oncology at UT M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

For more information, contact Linda.N.Gilbert@uth.tmc.edu.

NRC Distinguished Lecture in the Neurosciences

The Neuroscience Research Center announces the next Distinguished Lecture in the Neurosciences. Masao Ito, M.D., Ph.D. will lecture on "Internal Model Hypothesis of the Cerebellum" 4 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 29, in the Medical School Building, Room 3.001. Ito heads the Laboratory for Learning and Memory at the RIKEN Brain Science Institute of Japan. Over the last five decades he has studied the cellular mechanism of learning in the cerebellum. Among his major research findings are the exclusive inhibitory nature of cerebellar Purkinje cells and the phenomenon of long-term depression (LTD) in Purkinje cells.

For more information, visit the Neuroscience Research Center.

Excellence in Education Series

The UT School of Public Health presents the Excellence in Education Series featuring Mark Picus, EdD, adjunct professor of English, DeVry University and adjunct professor of Education, University of St. Thomas. Picus will present, “The Perils and Pitfalls of Plagiarism,” noon – 1 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 29, in the School of Public Health RAS Auditorium. Lunch will be provided to the first 50 attendees.

Family Medical Leave Act Updates

Human Resource representatives will discuss highlights of 2009 regulatory updates and the new military Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) on the following dates:

• 9 – 10 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 29, Medical School, Room B645
• 2:30 – 3:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 5, University Center Tower, Room 1505 C
• 10 – 11 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 11, Dental Branch, Room 340

Topics will include new regulations, updated FMLA procedures and revised forms. All employees may attend; supervisors, managers and administrators who process FMLA documents are strongly encouraged to attend. For more information, visit Employee Relations.

School of Public Health Events

The University of Texas School of Public Health (SPH) Career and Alumni Services offers the following upcoming events:

• Open House: 1:30 – 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 4, SPH Room E201
• Job Opportunities in Research & Grants Management: noon – 1 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 5, SPH Room 102A
• Social Gathering: 5 – 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 11, SPH Room 102A

For more information, contact Pantheia.Evans@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-9024.

Darwin2009 Houston

Darwin2009 Houston honors the bicentennial anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species, with a year-long celebration of Darwin’s life and contributions to science. The goal of Darwin2009 Houston is to engage a broad audience in recognizing the importance of the science of evolution, supporting science education and recognizing how science affects life.

Darwin2009 Houston is Saturday, Feb. 7 – Monday, Nov. 30 and includes various events:

• Saturday, Feb. 7 – Darwin Day at the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences
• Thursday, Feb. 12 – Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin 200th Birthday Celebration & ABCs of DNA Workshop
• Tuesday, Feb. 24 – Francisco Ayala, Ph.D., Lecture: “Darwin’s Gift to Science and Religion”
• Thursday, Feb. 26 – David Lipman, M.D. Lecture: “The Flu Virus Believes in Evolution”

For a complete list of events and more details, visit Darwin2009 Houston.

Tax Information Workshop

The Office of International Affairs is hosting a Tax Information Workshop 2 – 4 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 10, and a repeat session 3 – 5 p.m., Tuesday, March 10, at the School of Public Health Auditorium, Room E-101.

International students and scholars who received any payment for services in the United States during the 2008 calendar year must prepare a US income tax form and submit it to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by midnight, Wednesday, April 15, 2009. This is required even if all, or part of, your US earnings are exempt from tax under a tax treaty with your country. Internationals visitors holding J-1 or F-1 visa status should fill out and submit an IRS Form 8843 even if you received no payment while in the United States.

For more information, visit the Office of International Affairs.

Conflict Resolution: Dealing with Difficult People

Human Resources offers the training class Conflict Resolution: Dealing with Difficult People 9 – 11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 12, in UCT 1505c. The easiest way to deal with difficult people is to stay far away from them, which is great advice for those who work alone. However, most people can't avoid such interactions. In this training class you’ll find new and effective techniques for dealing with difficult people, learn techniques for dealing with frustration and anger and develop coping strategies.

To see more classes and register for classes, log on to the Training Resource Center.

Fleming Center Panel Discussion: Healthcare Leadership Challenges

The University of Texas School of Public Health’s George McMillan Fleming Center for Healthcare Management will host its third moderated panel discussion from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 17, in the auditorium of the Reuel A. Stallones Building, 1200 Herman Pressler.

Osama Mikhail, Ph.D., senior vice president of Strategic Planning, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, professor of Management and Policy Sciences, and director of the George McMillan Fleming Center for Healthcare Management, The University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, will moderate “Hospital – Medical Staff Relations: Aligning Interests.” The panel of distinguished speakers will include Marc Boom, M.D., executive vice president, The Methodist Hospital; David Pate, M.D., CEO, St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital; and Juanita Romans, CEO, Memorial Hermann – Texas Medical Center.

This presentation is open to anyone interested. For more information, contact Shannon.M.Larson@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-3252.

Doctors Orchestra of Houston

The Doctors Orchestra of Houston‘s next concert, “Sounds of Hope” is 5 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 15, at the Wortham Center’s Cullen Theater. Tickets: $10-$20; available at www.DoctorsOrchestraHouston.org or at the door.

The Doctors Orchestra consists of people who work in the health professions, including faculty, residents, students, researchers, therapists and dentists. This program will include the Piano Concerto No. 2 by Rachmaninoff, with the piano solo played by the noted Houston performer, Zoya Shuhatovich, and a choral work, “Sing for the Cure.” The Bayou City Chorale will join with the Doctors Orchestra for the choral work. This concert will benefit the AIDS Foundation of Houston. For more information, visit Doctors Orchestra of Houston.

CPR Training/ Certification

The University of Texas School of Nursing at Houston Alumni Association is sponsoring CPR training and certification for all healthcare professionals and students, 1 – 4 p.m., Fridays, Feb. 13, March 20 and April 10 at SON room 370. Registration costs $50; only cash or checks are accepted for payment. For more information or registration, e-mail alumni@uth.tmc.edu.

iModules Scholarship Program

iModules, an online alumni community, will provide individual $2,500 scholarships to five students enrolled in secondary or higher education institutions that are current iModules clients. The iModules Educational Scholarship Program was established in March 2008 and was founded on the belief in assisting students with pursuing their educational goals.

Visit the 2009 iModules Scholarship Program site for more information or to apply. Application deadline is Wednesday, April 15. Winning students will be notified by May 1, 2009.

Healthy Kids, Healthy Houston

Nancy Correa, MPH, Community Engagement Specialist, Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS), The University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston, and director, CAN DO Houston Initiative, will participate in a panel discussion at the 9th Annual Community Collaborations Luncheon and Forum "Healthy Kids, Healthy Houston" 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Tuesday, March 3, at the Junior League of Houston, 1811 Briar Oaks Lane, Houston, TX 77027.

The 9th Annual Community Collaborations Luncheon and Forum "Healthy Kids, Healthy Houston" is presented by the Community Collaborations Council, whose mission is to inspire and educate the Greater Houston community about issues that impact the lives of children and families.

Luncheon and forum tickets are $25 and may be purchased at The Junior League of Houston, Inc. Space is limited; advance registration is requested by Friday, Feb. 27. For more information about the luncheon and forum, contact Kathleen Brickley at 713-871-6679, diversity@juniorleaguehouston.org.

UTPD News

News and announcements from The University of Texas Police Department can be found on the Workplace page of the intranet. This new section includes safety tips, security reports and crime alerts.

IT SecuritySense

“Lucky 13! Security New Year’s Resolutions" is the focus of the January 2009 issue of the SecuritySense newsletter, available at SecuritySense online.

Dental Services

The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston is currently seeking individuals in need of crowns and bridges to serve as patients for our dental students. All students are closely supervised by fully licensed professors at the Dental Branch. Typical fees are about one-third of the cost normally found in the traditional private practice office.

The only difference is that the procedures performed in an educational setting are not done as swiftly as those in a private dental office. If you are interested in obtaining dental service at a reduced cost please contact Dental.Crowns@uth.tmc.edu.

New Virtual World Working Group

Virtual worlds are computer simulated environments that you typically navigate with an avatar through 3D spaces. Virtual worlds such as Second Life are increasing in popularity in the educational and research sectors because of their flexibility in providing a communication platform, visualizing data, and creating realistic simulations of a variety of things such as procedures and equipment.

We are looking for individuals who are using or interested in the use of virtual worlds in education and/or research. We have formed a working group to share ideas, skills and to grow potential collaborations in virtual world projects. If you are interested, contact Cynthia.L.Phelps@uth.tmc.edu.

WorkLife Wellness Tip of the Week

Are You A Quitter? Are you still smoking – we hope not! Surprisingly, about 22 percent of adult Texans are still puffing away. If you are serious about quitting, we can help. Take advantage of our Smoking Cessation program and start ’09 as a non-smoker!

Call and make an appointment with Sam Hester, cWC, CPT, LWMC, our wellness coach, at 713-500-3327. It’s confidential and free. Visit UT Counseling and WorkLife Services for more information on the wellness services provided.

HOOP Updates

Several policies in the Handbook of Operating Procedures (HOOP) have been changed: the Family and Medical Leave policy been revised due to a change in federal regulations. For more information on the Family and Medical Leave policy, contact Human Resources – Employee Relations department. The Termination of Employment: Administrative & Professional Employees policy has been updated to reflect current processes.

Please check out HOOP What's New? for specifics on new policy changes or the HOOP 2009 What’s New Archive for all 2009 policy changes. For general HOOP information, visit http://legal.hsc.uth.tmc.edu/hoop/index.html.