Issue #696, April 14, 2009

Topics at a glance: PeopleSoft 9.0 HRMS upgrade ... 7-Digit Dialing System ... Summer Schedule of Classes ... SPH Dean’s Reception ... Internal Medicine Grand Rounds ... IT SecuritySense ... Community on Patrol Meetings ... Library Updates ... CCTS Lecture Series ... Annual John P. McGovern Award Lecture Series ... Tuberculosis: A Forgotten Epidemic ... Public Health Grand Rounds ... Spring HUB Vendor Fair ... Michael & Susan Dell Lectureship in Child Health ... School of Public Health Events ... Darwin2009 Houston ... Pilot Projects Research Training Grant ... EOHS Research Seminar Series ... March for Babies ... Health & Safety Conference on Nanotechnology ... Surplus Auction & Warehouse Closing ... Spring Musculoskeletal Orthopaedic Update Course ... Lone Star Stampede & Children’s Fun Run ... Clinical Research Education ... 12th Annual Sprint for Life Run/Walk ... Duncan Clinic Summer Tutoring ... Discount Houston Dynamo Tickets ... ID Badge Holders

PeopleSoft 9.0 HRMS upgrade

ATTENTION all HRMS users: The PeopleSoft 9.0 upgrade is nearing completion. In order to implement the changes, the production environments will be down 5 p.m., April 30 – close of business, May 4.

Please note that this affects HRMS, Budgets, Effort Reporting, SPAR and TMS. Harris County Psychiatric Center Kronos users will not be affected. All users should be prepared to keep manual records of exception time during that weekend, if necessary.

The new PeopleSoft HRMS version (now referred to as HCM – Human Capital Management system) will be available to all users May 5. Training for the new version is available through the Training Resource Center. The first classes offered will be Delta 9.0 online training the week of April 13. Other training classes will follow. For more information about training, visit the TRC.

For specific details about the HRMS (HCM) upgrade, visit PeopleSoft 9.0 upgrade. For questions, contact Teresa.L.Deis@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-3477, or Rhonda.Walton@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-3773.

7-Digit Dialing System

Due to the expansion of the university, the current 4-digit phone system will be upgraded and a 7-digit phone system will be implemented. Beginning May 1, all internal calls will require both the prefix and extension. Most of General Administration Information Technology will change to the new additional prefix subset, 486.

What this means for you:

• Beginning May 1, you must dial 500-xxxx or 486-xxxx to make internal calls.
• On May 8, the Harris County Psychiatric Center will change to 741-xxxx.
• Your phone number will not change.
• Dialing externally will not change (press *9).
• You will not need to dial an extension for an emergency (dial 9-1-1).
• If your extension is currently listed on the internal or external homepage, please have it updated to include the correct prefix.

Telephones will be upgraded from Fujitsu technology to Avaya in the future. More information is to come. Please read the Information Technology's FAQ on the upgrade for more information.

Summer Schedule of Classes

The Summer 2009 Schedule of Classes is currently available at Registrar’s Office.

• Registration began Monday, April 13, for Dental Hygiene (DHYG), Dental Postgraduates (DBPG), Nursing (NURS), Medical Clinical Research (CLRS), Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS), Health Information Sciences (SHIS) and Public Health (SPH) students.
• Open registration is April 18 – May 22. Payment is due May 22 .
• Late registration for GSBS, CLRS, NURS, SHIS and SPH students is May 26 – May 29 . ($15 late fee).
• Late Registration DBPG is July 1-2, 6-7 . ($15 late fee).

For more information, visit the Registrar’s Office.

SPH Dean’s Reception

Roberta Ness, M.D., M.P.H., dean, The University of Texas School of Public Health, invites you to attend the Dean’s Reception for US Public Health Service Officers 6 – 8 p.m., Tuesday, April 14, at the UT School of Public Health. Join Ness for a reception to honor the service of the US PHS Commissioned Corps Officers in the Houston and Galveston area and to nurture and cultivate mutually beneficial teaching, research and service opportunities.

Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Tracie.Chase@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-9017.

Internal Medicine Grand Rounds

The University of Texas Medical School at Houston presents the Department of Internal Medicine Grand Rounds, noon – 1 p.m., Tuesdays throughout April, in MSB 2.103. The April schedule includes:

• April 14 – “The Future of Medicine: Examining Truths & Myths” presented by Audiey C. Kao, M.D., Ph.D., vice president of the Ethics Group, American Medical Association, Chicago, IL.
• April 21 – “Hepatitis C Virus” presented by Ilan Nevah, M.D., assistant professor, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Medical School at Houston.
• April 28 – “Update in Urinary Incontinence” presented by Gazala Siddiqui, M.D., assistant professor, Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology, UT Medical School at Houston.

All lectures are accredited for CME credit unless otherwise noted. For more information, contact Cindy.Collins@uth.tmc.edu.

IT SecuritySense

"Security FAQ: Computer Worms" is the focus of the April 2009 issue of the SecuritySense newsletter, available at SecuritySense online.

Community on Patrol Meetings

The UT Police Community on Patrol (COP) meetings are scheduled for March and April. The meetings are open to all personnel and include updates on crime trends, crime statistics and community concerns. The topic of workplace violence will be discussed.

Listed below are the April meeting dates, times and locations:

• 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 14 – Medical School Building (G. 100)
• Noon, Tuesday, April 21 – Operations Center Building (OCB 2200)
• 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 22 – SCRBII (Rooms 4-5)

For UTPD news and information, visit UTPD News. For additional information, contact the UT Police Crime Prevention component at 713-563-7794.

HAM-TMC Library Updates

HAM-TMC Library Classes

• Excel 2007 Intermediate – 10 a.m. – noon, Wednesday, April 15

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 April , in the University Professional Building, 11th floor. The April schedule includes:

• April 16 – “Therapeutic Potential of Lung Progenitor Cells Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells” presented by Rick Wetsel, Ph.D., professor of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine
• April 23 – “Aseptic Meningoenecphalitis Syndrome in Adults” presented by Rodrigo Hasbun, M.D., MPH, associate professor, Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases, UT Medical School
• April 30 – “CCTS Biobank Opportunities” presented by Lorraine Frazier, Ph.D., professor, Nursing Systems, UT School of Nursing

Lunch will be provided for the first 20 attendees. Please take advantage of the train or bus, CCTS will be unable to reimburse parking. For more information, contact Linda.N.Gilbert@uth.tmc.edu.

Annual John P. McGovern Award Lecture Series

The Annual John P. McGovern Award Lecture Series for Community Contributions and Activism in Health Promotion, sponsored by the Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Tuesday, April 14 , in the UT School of Public Health RAS Auditorium.

The 2009 award recipient, Meryl Cohen, M.Ed., LCSW, vice president of Education and Counseling, Planned Parenthood of Houston and Southeast Texas, will present "Promoting Adolescent Sexual Health." Cohen has devoted herself to improving adolescent sexual health and preventing teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. She serves as a member of The University of Texas Prevention Research Center Community Advisory Group. Parking will be available in TMC Garage 2. Lunch will be provided for the first 100 attendees. ITV connection will be available to regional campuses.

For additional information, please contact Peggy.Tate@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-9609.

Tuberculosis: A Forgotten Epidemic

The John P. McGovern Center for Health, Humanities & the Human Spirit, the Global Health Initiative and S.I.G.H.T-Houston present “Tuberculosis: A Forgotten Epidemic, Now a Growing Global Threat” by Dr. Joanne Carter, executive director, RESULTS, noon – 1 p.m., Tuesday, April 14 , in Medical School Building room 2.006.

This presentation and discussion will provide the latest information on the global TB and TB-HIV epidemics, a technical and policy perspective on why a disease that kills nearly two million people each year and is the biggest killer of people with AIDS has been too often ignored, and what can and must be done to reverse this neglect and tackle this killer. Carter will discuss the global epidemic, including the links between TB and poverty, the deadly synergy of TB and HIV/AIDS, the growing threat of drug resistance (including XDR-TB), and the way in which the global epidemic poses a major threat to health domestically. She will also address progress to-date in building a global response and what action is still needed in order to stop needless deaths.

Pizza and drinks provided for first 100 attendees. For more information, contact Dr. Stanley Schultz, M.D., at Stanley.G.Schultz@uth.tmc.edu.

Public Health Grand Rounds

Public Health Grand Rounds presents "Neighborhood Factors and Obesity among Urban Public Housing Residents in Houston" by Rebecca E. Lee, Ph.D., Texas Obesity Research Center Director, noon – 1 p.m., Tuesday, April 14 , in the UT School of Public Health auditorium, RAS E-549. TPHTC is a site coordinator and will broadcast this presentation locally at the UT School of Public Health. To register as a training site for this activity or view the live web cast at your individual computer, visit Texas Association of Local Health Officials. For additional information, contact Nancy.M.Crider@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-9399.

Spring HUB Vendor Fair

Please join the Procurement Services department for the annual Spring HUB Vendor Fair, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Wednesday, April 15 , in the Medical School lobby. This year's event will feature 16 HUB vendors.

For more information, contact Nina.Lahasky@uth.tmc.edu.

Michael & Susan Dell Lectureship in Child Health

The Third Annual Michael & Susan Dell Lectureship in Child Health is scheduled for 1:30 – 3 p.m., Thursday, April 16 , at the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center at 1900 University Avenue, Austin, Texas. The 2009 recipient, Shiriki Kumanyika, Ph.D., MPH, professor in the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, will present "Childhood obesity: Which children are at highest risk, and why?" Kumanyika has a unique interdisciplinary background that integrates epidemiology, nutrition, aging, prevention, minority health and women's health issues. This lectureship is sponsored by the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Advancement of Healthy Living and The University of Texas School of Public Health Austin Regional Campus. For additional information, contact Tiffni.Menendez@uth.tmc.edu at 512-482-6178.

School of Public Health Events

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

• CANCELED: Business Etiquette: noon – 1 p.m., Thursday, April 16, SPH 102A. This event has been canceled because Ms. Diane Gottsman is unable to present. She will reschedule at a later date. A complimentary copy of her book “Pearls of Polish” is available to registered participants. Contact Pantheia.Evans@uth.tmc.edu to receive your copy of the book. Identification is required.
• Intern and Career Opportunities: noon – 1 p.m., Thursday, April 30 , SPH 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 runs through Nov. 30 , and includes various events:

• Noon – 1 p.m., Friday, April 17 – John H. Wilson, Ph.D., Baylor College of Medicine, Lecture: Michael Crichton's “Next”: A Book Review and Discussion
• 9 a.m. – noon, Saturday, April 18 – Houston Zoo Professional Development Workshop, Lecture: Survival of the Fittest

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

Pilot Projects Research Training Grant

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Education and Research Center (ERC) at the UT School of Public Health supports short term research pilot projects to enhance occupational and environmental health research in Region 6, which includes the states of Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas and New Mexico . Funding is provided through a Pilot Projects Research Training Grant from NIOSH and awards are made competitively.

The deadline for submitting the letter of intent is Monday, April 20 . This letter should include a paragraph describing the objectives of the proposed research and which areas of occupational safety and health it addresses. The requested receipt date for proposals is May 29 .

Detailed information on the grant application procedures and application forms are available at the NIOSH Pilot Project website.

For more information, contact the program director, David Gimeno, Ph.D., at 210-562-5500 or Marice Barahona at 713-500-9440 or email PilotProjects@uth.tmc.edu.

EOHS Research Seminar Series

The Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences presents “Mano A Mano – Results from the Mexican American Cohort,” by Melissa Bondy, Ph.D., professor, Department of Epidemiology, UT M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, noon – 1 p.m., April 24, at the School of Public Health, room 102B.

This research study is the first long-term effort to study health outcomes and risk factors of Mexican-Americans living in the Houston area by collecting health information and following a cohort of families for decades. Lunch will be provided for the first 50 attendees. For additional information, contact Michelle.R.Carter@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-9471.

March for Babies

The UT Health Science Center is supporting the March for Babies on April 26. Team UT has joined with Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital and LBJ Hospital to walk together this year and is pleased to support such an organization that is affecting healthy change for women and their babies.

You can help the March of Dimes fight prematurity by participating in the March for Babies. The March for Babies walk is April 26 at the University of Houston Robertson Stadium. Team UT walkers will be served a light breakfast and then a barbecue lunch after the walk.

Volunteers & Walkers Timeline:

• 8 a.m. - Breakfast/ Registration at Team UT tent
• 9 a.m. - Walk
• 11 a.m. - Barbeque lunch

Visit the Rose.M.Betancourt-Trevino@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-3209.

Health & Safety Conference on Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is permeating all types of industries at every level. It can be found in cosmetics, sunscreens, commercial food freshness products, information technology and medicine, not to mention the applications used in fire, water and scratch resistance. Questions continue to arise: What do we know? What don't we know? How should we measure this or that? What level of protection is adequate?

The Southwest Center for Occupational & Environmental Health, along with the Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals and local host AIHA Texas Hill Country Section, presents the Health & Safety Conference on Nanotechnology April 26 - April 28 , in Austin, Texas. The conference will address a variety of topics that will provide practical, applicable information from governmental agencies and the industry to help professionals determine how to manage the health and safety aspects of this dynamic and growing field.

For more information, visit the UT School of Public Health or contact Vickie.L.Mason@uth.tmc.edu.

Surplus Auction & Warehouse Closing

A Surplus Auction has been scheduled for 10 a.m., April 29 , at the Operations Center Building (OCB) 1851 Crosspoint, Houston, Texas 77054. Early viewing is available 9 a.m. – noon and 1 – 4 p.m., April 28, and 8 – 10 a.m., April 29 . Preview auction items by visiting Auctions in Progress.

In order to prepare for the Auction, Capital Assets Management WILL NOT be picking up surplus or accepting equipment deliveries after Friday, April 17.

The Surplus Warehouse is closed through May 5 , when the regular schedule will resume. Requests received for Surplus pickups will be scheduled on May 7 , on a first come, first received basis. If you are unable to wait until surplus reopens, space is available for rent from Facilities Operation. For information about space available for rent from Facilities Operation, contact Marilyn Schlager at 713-500-4990.

If you have any other questions, please call the Capital Assets Management Team at 713-500-4701.

Spring Musculoskeletal Orthopaedic Update Course

The University of Texas Medical School at Houston Department of Orthopaedic Surgery presents the Spring Musculoskeletal Update Course for Primary Care Physicians and Allied Healthcare Professionals, May 1 - 2 , in the Memorial Hermann Conference Room, located on the ground floor of the Hermann Pavilion Building.

This program will feature faculty from the UT Medical School, renowned for their specialties in orthopaedics, research, rheumatology, peri-operative management, general medicine and physical medicine and rehabilitation. They will update the healthcare community on the advancements and treatment options available in specialized areas of orthopaedics. A total of 11 continuing medical education credits will be available for the target audience of primary care physicians, rheumatologists, endocrinologists, gynecologists and obstetricians, internal medicine physicians, occupational therapists, physical therapists, nurses and other allied health professionals at the low cost of $60 for physicians, $30 for nurses, physical therapists and allied health professionals, and is free to students and residents.

For more information or registration, visit UT CME or UT Physicians Orthopedic.

Lone Star Stampede & Children’s Fun Run

The Lone Star Stampede 10K, 5K & Children’s Run, 7:55 a.m., May 2 , beginning at the School of Nursing at 6901 Bertner, is a fun family event, co-sponsored by the Texas Exes Houston Chapter and the UT Health Science Center at Houston. The run helps provide scholarships for deserving Houston-area high school students attending UT system schools.

For more information or to register, visit Texas Exes – Houston Chapter and click on Lone Star Stampede or contact Rose.M.Betancourt-Trevino@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-3209.

Clinical Research Education

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and Memorial Hermann Healthcare System (MHHS) present a comprehensive four full-day and one half-day educational program focusing on the basics of coordinating a clinical research trial 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., May 5, 7, 12, 14 and 1 – 4:30 p.m., May 19 at the UT Medical School.

“Clinical Research Education: An Introductory Course for Safe and Ethical Research Practices” will provide a model of practice in conducting clinical research based on the principles of Good Clinical Practice, thereby focusing on research compliance, protecting the safety and well-being of the research subject and ensuring integrity of the research. Pre-registration is required. A $300 course fee applies to all non-health science center & MHHS employees. This fee applies to UT M. D. Anderson employees as well. For more information, visit Clinical Research Education or contact Kimberly.Wilson@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-7911.

12th Annual Sprint for Life Run/Walk

On May 9 , UT M. D. Anderson's Gynecologic Oncology Department will host the 12th annual Sprint for Life 5K Run and Walk and Sprint for Sprouts Kids' Run, an event dedicated to raising funds for ovarian cancer research and building awareness about the risk factors and symptoms of the disease. This year's event will be hosted on the campus of M. D. Anderson and will begin at 7:30 a.m. , followed by the Sprint for Sprouts Kids' Run at 9 a.m.

Online registration is available through May 6 with registration prices of:

• $25 for the 5K Non-Competitive Run/Walk (time will not be recorded);
• $28 for the 5K Competitive Run (price includes disposable timing tag); and
• $15 for Sprint for Sprouts, 12 years and younger (time will not be recorded).

Members of the UT Houston community registering for this event can select to register under the "UT Houston Medical School" team.

For those who cannot attend, you can still show your support by selecting "Sprinting in Spirit" when you register online. A "Spirit" packet which includes a Sprint t-shirt, pin, shoelaces and race number will be mailed to you at a cost of $50. Register online in the "Sprinting in Spirit" category by April 24, to receive your Spirit packet by mail.

Other ways to get involved:

• Build a group with your friends, family and co-workers
• Start a Pledge Page
• Volunteer on race day

For further information, call 713-792-2765 or visit Sprint for Life.

Duncan Clinic Summer Tutoring

The Dan L. Duncan Children’s Neurodevelopmental Clinic at the Children’s Learning Institute presents Duncan Clinic Summer Tutoring. The Duncan Clinic Summer Tutoring program is June 1 – 25 (session 1) or July 6 – 30 (session 2).

This summer program provides:

• Evidence-based Reading and Math programs for Grades 1-4
• Individualized instructional plans based on assessments
• Low tutor-to-student ratios (1:1 or 1:2)
• Specific feedback provided

A single session is 2 hours a day, 9 – 11 a.m. or 1 – 3 p.m., Monday – Thursday, and costs $950. The cost for both sessions is $1800. For more information, visit Duncan Clinic Summer Tutoring.

Discount Houston Dynamo Tickets

As a special offer, all employees, students, staff and friends of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston can now purchase discount tickets to watch the 2009 Houston Dynamo at Robertson Stadium.

Visit Houston Dynamo Tickets and enter password uthsc. New users will be required to create an account before purchasing tickets. For more information, contact Cedric Mills at cmills@houstondynamo.com.

ID Badge Holders

Parking Services is now selling plastic ID badge holders. ID badge holders can be purchased for $3 each at the Parking Office at 6414 Fannin, Ste G25 or on the ground floor of University Center Tower, 7000 Fannin. These ID badge holders are made from hard plastic and should extend the life of most badges. For Parking Services office hours, visit Parking and Shuttle Services.