Issue #699, May 5, 2009

News on the Go is a service of the Office of Institutional Advancement, providing timely news and information to faculty, staff, fellows, residents and students on the go. Deadline: 10 a.m. Thursday before Tuesday publication. Submit all events and deadlines to the Web Calendar. Submit other items for consideration using the News on the Go submission form.

Topics at a glance: Flu Updates ... UT Flu Center ... Business Continuity – Flu ... Summer Schedule of Classes ... Telephone System Upgrade ... Auxiliary Enterprises Updates ... Clinical Research Education ... Internal Medicine Grand Rounds ... Library Updates ... CCTS Lecture Series ... 12th Annual Sprint for Life Run/Walk ... Stamp Increase ... UT Otorhinolaryngology Open House ... UCSC Workshop ... UTPD Citizen Attitudinal Survey ... EOHS Research Seminar Series ... Tribute to a Pacesetter ... Shuttle Service Update ... Duncan Clinic Summer Tutoring ... 7th Annual Disparities in Health in America Workshop ... UTPD News ... Discount Houston Dynamo Tickets ... WorkLife Wellness Tip of the Week ...

Flu Updates

During this past week, UT Health Science Center has taken a proactive stance with regard to influenza H1N1, moving in concordance with city, state and federal guidelines. Our own public health and infectious disease experts have played key roles in the investigation of transmission of H1N1, information- gathering and decision-making processes for control and prevention of exposure to H1N1, both for the Houston area and our UT community.

What we know as of this week: information from the School of Public Health Rapid Response Team (which works closely with the city and county health departments) reports:

  • 40 confirmed cases in Texas
  • 3 confirmed in the Houston area
  • As of May 3, no reported probable or confirmed cases of H1N1 at the health science center
  • An estimated 20 more cases of suspected or probable cases in Houston, awaiting confirmatory testing
  • An estimated 5 more cases of suspected or probable cases in Harris County, awaiting confirmatory testing
  • 1,500 samples have been sent to the City Health Department for testing

The good news is that the flu itself appears to be relatively mild but contagious, with a significant potential for spreading. At this point, community containment strategies are focused on places where children congregate, such as schools, because in situations like these, children are recognized to be the “engine of transmission.”. This is not due to any particular susceptibility, but rather they are less likely to maintain rigorous hygiene habits.

Our experts in infectious disease and public health advise that we are still in the early stages of this outbreak and we should prepare for measures that would: 1) curtail the spread of flu on campus, 2) protect our staff and students, and 3) provide for business continuity should the workforce be impacted by K-12 school closures or personal illness.

Please watch for further advisories from UTHSC-H and check regularly with the UT Flu Center at http://inside.uthouston.edu.

UT Flu Center

The UT Flu Center has the latest official information you'll need. For answers, resources, tips and guidance, visit the new UT Flu Center, located on the official UT intranet at http://inside.uthouston.edu

Check the site regularly for:

  • Latest updates from the CDC, City of Houston, WHO
  • Latest advisories for the UT community
  • Answers to your questions
  • How our experts in public health, infectious disease and safety are responding for UT and community preparedness
  • Clinical resources: specific updates and information for health workers at our UT clinics
  • Employee resources
  • Audio/video resources for community education
  • Business continuity
  • Employee health and disease prevention
  • Busted rumors

You can access the UT Flu Center by visiting the campus-wide intranet http://inside.uthouston.edu/ and following the links. To access the campus-wide intranet, navigate to http://inside.uthouston.edu. Or to access this resource while off campus or at a remote location, you will first need to log into the UT Virtual Private Network (VPN). To log into the UT VPN, visit http://govpn.uth.tmc.edu and enter your UT userID and password. Once connected to the UT VPN, navigate to http://inside.uthouston.edu

For employee and clinical information to be posted to this site, contact Karen Krakower Kaplan at Karen. K. Kaplan@uth.tmc.edu or Kelly Neely at Kelly.neely@uth.tmc.edu

Send comments, suggestions and questions to news@uth.tmc.edu or call 713-500-3087

Business Continuity – Flu

In response to the threat of a pandemic, departments are asked to update their business continuity information. Departments are encouraged to identify a few key employees who perform functions within critical applications (PeopleSoft HRMS/FMS and others). These applications should be available via the internet utilizing VPN access. Individuals should work with their departmental LAN Manager(s) or Desktop Support Group to validate external access to the required applications. In the event of a pandemic, business processes will be temporarily modified to rely on electronic transmission of data. During this period, maintain hard copy support, and forward to the appropriate processing area upon resumption of normal operations.

For more information or questions, contact Michael.Tramonte@uth.tmc.edu.

Summer Schedule of Classes

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

  • Open registration is through 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.

Telephone System Upgrade

Due to the expansion of the university, the current 4-digit phone system has been upgraded and a 7-digit phone system implemented. As of May 5, all internal calls will require both the prefix and extension. Most of General Administration Information Technology has changed to the new additional prefix subset, 486.,

What this means for you:

  • You must dial 500-xxxx or 486-xxxx to make internal calls.
  • On Friday, May 8, the Harris County Psychiatric Center will change to 741-xxxx.
  • Your phone number has not change.
  • Dialing externally has not change (press *9).
  • You do not need to dial a prefix for an emergency (dial 9-1-1 or *9 then 9-1-1).
  • If your phone number is currently listed on the web or a departmental page, please ensure it is updated to include the correct prefix.

In the future, telephones will be upgraded from Fujitsu technology to Avaya. Additionally, there are a number of other technical changes being executed in the background to interconnect the two systems so they function together. The next several weeks will be busy as we integrate the old and new systems.

While we will take every precaution to not impact our customers, a complex integration such as this may encounter unexpected difficulties. If you encounter telephone problems, immediately contact Jimmy.Quimby@uth.tmc.edu, 713-486-2242 or Nelson.L.Horridge@uth.tmc.edu, 713-486-2083. We will promptly notify the campus of any issues that are encountered and keep everyone apprised of the status.

For more information about the upgrade, visit News on the Go and FAQ Telephone System Upgrade.

Auxiliary Enterprises Updates

Annual Summer Membership Special

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Recreation Center is offering the Annual Summer Membership Special of 15 percent off a three-month membership when you join from now through May 31. For more information, contact 713-500-8420 or visit the Recreation Center.

Continental One Pass Reward

Continental One Pass Reward account holders can earn Elite status twice as fast when you earn double Elite Qualifying Miles for eligible flights until June 15. Register by signing into your account at Continental Airlines. Then click One Pass Frequent Flyer; One Pass News & Offers; Airline; then select Register next to Earn Elite Status Twice as Fast (promotion code 58005).

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.

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 May, in MSB 2.103. The May schedule includes:

  • May 5 – “The Evolution of Neurosurgical Intensive Care” presented by Dong Kim, M.D., chair, Department of Neurosurgery, UT Medical School at Houston.
  • May 12 – “Now where did you say you were? Infections in Immigrants & Travelers” presented by Clinton White, M.D., professor, director, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Medical Branch.
  • May 19 – “Cardiorenal Syndrome: New Therapeutic Approaches When Standard Therapy No Longer Works” presented by Amber Podoll, M.D., assistant professor, Renal Division, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Medical School at Houston.
  • May 26 – “Islet Transplantation: The Promise & the Pitfalls” presented by Devin Eckhoff, M.D., professor of surgery, Division of Transplantation Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham.

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

HAM-TMC Library Updates

HAM-TMC Library Classes

  • Excel 2007 Basic – 9:30 – noon, Wednesday, May 6
  • SciFinder Scholar – 1 – 2 p.m., Thursday, May 7
  • Medical Websites for Nurses – 10 – 11 a.m., Thursday, May 7
  • Excel 2007 Intermediate – 10 a.m. – noon, Tuesday, May 12

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

Nurses Celebration

The HAM-TMC Library celebrates all our nurses and nursing students during National Nurses Week. On Thursday, May 7, the library will host an open house. Come join us and participate in the following activities:

  • Medical Web sites for Nurses – 10 – 11 a.m., in the Street Level Classroom. This is a Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) class that will explain how to enhance research and clinical assessment skills by utilizing Internet search knowledge. Register online at Library Classes.
  • NurseSearch – 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., on the first floor of the library. View short demos of NurseSearch, a new search engine the HAM-TMC Library created just for TMC nurses. You can now search several of our most important nursing resources all at one time.

During this open house, you can browse the latest nursing book collections from Majors Book Store and view exhibits and demonstrations of National Library of Medicine databases. Cake and punch will be served from 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. For more information, visit The Insider Express.

CCTS Lecture Series

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

  • May 7 – “ Touch, Sound and Vision in the Human Superior Temporal Sulcus” presented by Michael Beauchamp, Ph.D., assistant professor, Neurobiology and Anatomy, UT Medical School at Houston.
  • May 14 – “Current Density Maps of Language Function: Comparison with Functional MRI” presented by Nitin Tandon, M.D., assistant professor, Neurosurgery, UT Medical School.
  • May 21 – No lecture
  • May 28 – “Role of Allogeneic Transplantation in Solid Tumors” presented by Naoto Ueno, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor, Breast Medical Oncology, UT M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

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.

12th Annual Sprint for Life Run/Walk

On Saturday, 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 Wednesday, 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.

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.

Stamp Increase

On Monday, May 11, the price for a 1-ounce First Class Mail stamp will increase from 42 cents to 44 cents. The prices for Standard Mail, Periodicals Services and Extra Services will also change. The new prices are available at the U.S. Postal Service.

Customers can use their Forever Stamps – regardless of when purchased – to mail 1-ounce letters after the price change, without the need for additional postage. Purchase the Forever Stamp now for 42 cents. On Monday, May 11, the price of the Forever Stamp will increase to 44 cents.

UT Otorhinolaryngology Open House

UT Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery invites the UT community to attend an open house for the new clinic office at the Memorial Hermann Medical Plaza, 5 – 7 p.m., May 13. The new office is located at 6400 Fannin Street, Suite 2700. To attend the open house, please RSVP to Sara.Martinez@uth.tmc.edu.

UCSC Workshop

The 14th Annual University Classified Staff Workshop presented by the University Classified Staff Council (UCSC) — “You Be in Charge: Health Matters" — will take place 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., June 11, at the IMM Auditorium.

Online registration is open now through May 18 for the annual UCSC Workshop which is exclusively for university classified staff. You must have your supervisor’s permission to attend. For more information, e-mail Senaida.B.Chapa@uth.tmc.edu or visit USCS online to register.

UTPD Citizen Attitudinal Survey

The UT Police Department is conducting a Citizen Attitudinal Survey of the UT Health Science Center community. This survey is an opportunity to provide feedback on the level of satisfaction with police services.

Feedback from the survey is used to review current programs, make changes to better serve the community, as well as for reaccreditation purposes. Institutional Research prepares the survey and collects feedback.

Please share your opinions in the anonymous survey. There are 10 questions, plus an open field for comments, and it takes only a few minutes to complete. The survey will be available at Citizen Attitudinal Survey until May 19.

EOHS Research Seminar Series

The Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences presents “Immigration and Occupation Health, A Growing Global Health Disparity,” by Marc Schenker, M.D., MPH, professor, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California at Davis, noon – 1 p.m., May 22, at the School of Public Health, room 102B.

Immigration is an enormous global phenomenon that will increase in magnitude in the coming years. There is ample evidence that immigrants suffer higher rates of fatal and non-fatal occupational injuries and illnesses. It is time for occupational and public health professionals to seriously address the issue of workplace illness and injury among immigrants. For additional information, contact Michelle.R.Carter@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-9471.

Tribute to a Pacesetter

Faculty, staff and students are invited to join in a celebration of the 25th anniversary of School of Nursing Dean Patricia Starck, “Tribute to a Pacesetter in Nursing Education,” May 28 – 29.

Events honoring Dean Starck’s achievements as an academic leader, her devotion to nursing and her commitment to The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston will include a symposium featuring Kenneth I. Shine, M.D., executive vice chancellor for Health Affairs of The University of Texas System and a luncheon at the Hilton Houston Post Oak Hotel.

The tribute to Dean Starck is hosted by The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston President Larry R. Kaiser, M.D.; School of Nursing Advisory Council Chair George R. Farris; and UT Development Board Chairman Emerita Margaret A. Barnett, who is chairing the luncheon. You are invited to attend as many of the events as you are able. For more information and registration, visit Dean Patricia L. Starck 25th Anniversary Symposium and Luncheon.

Shuttle Service Update

Summer Schedule

Effective June 1, UT's Shuttle Service will begin running its "Summer Schedule." The Summer Schedule has fewer busses operating, but it is a set schedule. This route will be in effect until mid-August.

To view the new schedule, visit Summer Shuttle Schedule.

Please contact shuttle@uth.tmc.edu with any questions or concerns.

Shuttle Services Twitter

UT Shuttle Services is using Twitter to give quick updates on happenings with our service. This will mostly be used at times when we have delays due to road construction/closures, accidents or breakdowns. To follow UT Shuttle Services, visit UTHSCShuttle. We suggest you setup “SMS Updates” so you can receive messages on your cell phone.

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.

7th Annual Disparities in Health in America Workshop

The 7th Annual Health Disparities Summer Workshop is June 20 – 26, at the UT M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Clark Clinic Building, Hickey Auditorium, R11.1400.

The goal of the workshop is to provide a comprehensive approach to the issue of health disparities, and to provide attendees with a broad base of knowledge so that they may address health disparities with a bio-psychosocial approach. This program should be of interest to physicians, nurses, social workers, health educators and other healthcare professionals, as well as active members of the community and community organizations. This conference should be of value to undergraduate and graduate students, as well as pre- and postdoctoral fellows.

For more information, visit Disparities in Health in America or contact cyclark@mdanderson.org.

UTPD News

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

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.

WorkLife Wellness Tip of the Week

A recent study showed that 45 percent of the women and 60 percent of the men had excessive levels of internal fat even though they were within normal weight ranges. Individuals, who use diet as their primary form of weight control, rather than exercise, are at increased risk of having these internal fat stores.

Doctors theorize that the location of the fat makes a difference: the closer it is to the deep vital organs, the worse it is for you. This could be due to the fat interrupting the body’s internal communication mechanisms. This could increase thin peoples’ risks for diabetes or other negative health risk factors.

The good news is that exercise can help reduce these internal fat deposits. Call and make an appointment with Wellness Coach Sam Hester, cWC, CPT, LWMC, at 713-500-3327. It's confidential and free. For more information on the wellness services provided, visit UT Counseling and WorkLife Services.