Issue #704, June 9, 2009

Topics at a glance: New Access for Campus-wide Intranet ... UCSC Updates ... Dental Branch Town Hall Meeting ... Summer Schedule of Classes ... Auxiliary Enterprises Updates ... UT Physicians Open House ... Internal Medicine Grand Rounds ... HAM-TMC Library Classes ... CCTS Lecture Series ... Summer Research Program Seminar Series ... Disparities in Health in America Workshop ... Clinical Research Program ... Duncan Clinic Summer Tutoring ... Free Screenings ... Research Studies: Dermatology ... TMC Shuttle Routes ... TMC Parking System Conversion Update ... UTPD News ... Discount Houston Dynamo Tickets ... WorkLife Wellness Tip of the Week ... Procurement Services HUB Vendor ... HOOP Updates

New Access for Campus-wide Intranet

The Administrative Technology and UT Web Communications teams have joined together to bring an easier way to reach the Inside UT Houston campus-wide intranet from off-campus or a remote location. From the university's home page, click on the toolbar link Inside UT Houston and login to the campus-wide intranet with your UT user ID and password. It’s that easy. This site is your source for the latest campus news, events, university-wide forms and applications.

While on campus, you can access wireless internet on your laptop or handheld device by joining the network, UTHSC. Learn how to configure your laptop computer.

For more information, contact Jennifer.Canup@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-3296.

UCSC Updates

UCSC Recruitment

The UCSC is recruiting motivated, hard-working people to join as full members. The 2009 - 2010 Council Positions will fill vacancies in General Administration, HCPC, IMM, Medical School and SHIS. If you would like to be a UCSC representative or nominate someone else, please visit UCSC to complete the form and return to Norma Martinez through interoffice mail (Mail Code: LBJ-30S) or email the completed form to Norma.A.Alonso@uth.tmc.edu by Friday, June 12.

UCSC Brown Bag Session

The UCSC Staff Development Committee invites you to a Brown Bag Session titled, "Payroll Process Update" from noon – 1 p.m., Tuesday, June 16, at the Medical School Room 3.001. Rhonda Walton, director of Payroll and Benefits for UTHSC-H will be the featured speaker. Ms. Walton will provide a summary of the Payroll Process Update as well as answer questions. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Rodney.J.Ball@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-5435.

Please note that the UCSC bylaws require that each member must be a full-time classified employee who has fulfilled the obligations of his/her probationary employment period.

Dental Branch Town Hall Meeting

Larry R. Kaiser, M.D., president of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, will visit the Dental Branch from 12:10 - 1 p.m., Friday, June 12, for a town hall meeting in Room 207. Faculty, staff, students and friends of the Dental Branch are encouraged to attend. Dr. Kaiser will discuss his vision for the Dental Branch, the search for a permanent dean and recent actions of the Texas Legislature and their impact on the UT Health Science Center at Houston.

For more information, contact Rhonda.Moran@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-4023.

Summer Schedule of Classes

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

• Late registration DBPG is July 1-2, 6-7. ($15 late fee).

For more information, visit the Registrar’s Office.

Auxiliary Enterprises Updates

Summer Swim Lessons

Registration is open for summer swim lessons at the Recreation Center. Afternoon and evening classes are available. Cost is $50 per child, per session. Private and semi-private lessons are available as well. For more information, call 713-500-8420 or visit the Recreation Center.

Summer Sports Camp

Limited spots are still available for the 2009 Summer Sports Camp at the Recreation Center. Camp is open to boys and girls ages 7-12. Campers will engage in various team sports, games and take weekly field trips. Camp dates are June 15-19, June 22-26, July 6-10 and July 13-17. Camp is limited to the first 40 children registered.

For more information, call 713-500-8420 or visit the Recreation Center.

UT Physicians Open House

The UT Physicians’ Bellaire location will celebrate its latest addition, the UT Cardiovascular Imaging and Arrhythmia Diagnostic Center, with an open house from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., June 17, at 6700 West Loop South, Suite 540. The university community is invited to join in for food, gifts, door prizes and great fun! Door prize drawings will take place throughout the event. For more information, call 713-486-5175.

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 June, in MSB 2.103. The schedule includes:

• June 9 – “Orthopedics: Management from a Rheumatologist’s Perspective” presented by John Reveille, M.D., Division Chair – Rheumatology Department of Internal Medicine, UT Medical School at Houston.
• June 16 – No Grand Rounds
• June 23 – “Autoimmune Peripheral Neuropathies” presented by Kazim Sheikh, M.D., professor of neurology, UT Medical School at Houston.
• June 30 – “Evidence–based Clinical Practice for Localized Prostate Cancer” presented by Steven Canfield, M.D., assistant professor of surgery, Department of Urology, UT Medical School at Houston.

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

HAM-TMC Library Updates

New Library Hours

Beginning July 1, the HAM-TMC Library will reduce their operational hours to the following schedule:

Monday – Thursday, 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Friday, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, 1 – 8 p.m.

Classes

The HAM-TMC Library offers these upcoming classes:

• Excel 2007 Basic – 9:30 a.m. – noon, June 10
• PubMed – 4 – 5 p.m., June 11
• Excel 2007 Intermediate – 10 a.m. – noon, June 16
• Excel 2007 Intermediate – 10 a.m. – noon, June 17
• PowerPoint 2007 Basic – 2 – 4 p.m., June 18

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 June, in the University Professional Building, 11th floor:

• June 11 – “Screening for Obstructive Sleep Apnea in an Internet Weight Loss Community: A Randomized Control Trial” presented by Kevin Hwang, M.D., MPH, assistant professor, Internal Medicine, UT Medical School at Houston.
• June 18 – “Too Much of a Good Thing: Adaptation and Maladaptation of the Heart in Obesity” presented by Heinrich Taegtmeyer, M.D., Ph.D., professor, Internal Medicine – Cardiology, UT Medical School at Houston.
• June 25 - “Gastrointestinal Shedding of Human Influenza Virus in Hospitalized Children” presented by Susan Wootton, M.D., assistant professor, Pediatrics – Infectious Diseases, UT Medical School at Houston.

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.

Summer Research Program Seminar Series

The University of Texas Medical School at Houston presents the weekly 2009 Summer Research Program Seminar Series, noon - 1:15 p.m., in MSB 2.006. The series is open to all health science center faculty, staff and students, as well as the Texas Medical Center community. The schedule includes:

• June 11 – “RNA Interference as a Therapeutic Tool” presented by Anil Sood, M.D., professor and director, Ovarian Cancer Research UT M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.
• June 16 – “The Blood Brain, Blood Spinal Cord, Barriers, & CNS Trauma” presented by Raymond Grill, Ph.D., assistant professor, Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, UT Medical School at Houston.
• June 25 – “Nanotechnology for Medicine” presented by Mauro Ferrari, Ph.D., professor and director, Center for NanoMedicine, the Institute of Molecular Medicine.

For more information, contact Linda.Guardiola@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-5334.

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.

Clinical Research Program

Clinical research investigators, research nurses, coordinators, clinical research administrative and support staff are invited to attend the Clinical Research Budgeting and Billing Compliance Program from 9 a.m. – noon, Tuesday, June 16, in the UT Professional Building, room 1100.55. Learn to simplify and clarify the clinical research billing processes, ensure full cost recovery of clinical research studies and reduce the risks of inappropriately billing patients and/or third parties.

Duncan Clinic Summer Tutoring

The Dan L. Duncan Children’s Neurodevelopmental Clinic at the Children’s Learning Institute presents Duncan Clinic Summer Tutoring July 6 – 30.

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

A single session is two hours a day, 9 – 11 a.m. or 1 – 3 p.m., Monday – Thursday, and costs $950. The cost for both sessions is $1,800. Registration deadline is June 22. For more information, visit Duncan Clinic Summer Tutoring.

Free Screenings

UT Physicians is hosting free varicose vein screenings with physician specialists to raise awareness for venous disease, risk factors and available treatment options. If you experience leg discomfort, swelling and varicose veins, schedule a free screening from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, June 15 – 18, at MSB Room B.646 or Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, June 22 – 25, in the UT Professional Building, 6410 Fannin, Suite 600.

To schedule an appointment for a screening, call 832-325-7214. Walk-ins are welcome.

Research Studies: Dermatology

Male and female volunteers, ages 3 months – 12 years are needed to take part in a research study of a topical skin treatment for a form of eczema. There is no cost involved and volunteers will be compensated for time and travel. Evaluations will be made by a dermatologist through study-related physical exams. Minimal risks are involved in this study and study medication will be provided. Volunteers will be asked to come in for up to four visits over a 42-day period.

To volunteer or for more information, contact Maria.D.Lopez@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-8266.

TMC Shuttle Routes

The following changes have been made to the Texas Medical Center shuttle routes:

• 326 TMC Campus Circulator has been discontinued
• 322 TMC Red Shuttle’s afternoon frequency has changed
• 87 Sunnyside/Plaza del Oro/TMC no longer operates along Braeswood, W.C. Harvin or portions of Old Spanish Trail

For complete schedules, call 713-635-4000.

TMC Parking System Conversion Update

TMC is continuing their parking equipment conversion. Over the next several weeks and months, those of you who park in a TMC lot or garage will receive a new access card. Some of you have already received your new card. Your access card will arrive via interoffice mail. Please see the list below for conversion dates.

Please remember to keep your old parking card during the transition of the entire campus as it will be needed when parking on campus at nights and on weekends. This has been one of biggest issues the conversion process has faced.

If your parking area is scheduled for conversion within the next week and you have not received your new parking card, please contact parking@uth.tmc.edu or call the Texas Medical Center at 713-747-7275.

If you have any questions regarding this schedule change or the conversion process, contact Eve Grubb at 713-791-6149.

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 crime alerts, safety tips and security reports.

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

The economic recession is making us fatter! Surprising new research by the Gallup-Healthways survey shows that the number of Americans considered obese has jumped by 1.7 percent in just the past year. This might not sound like a lot, but it represents about 5.5 million people carrying around a lot more weight. This news is especially significant, since the CDC data found no real increase in the obesity levels in the U.S. from 2003 to 2006.

Many health researchers believe that the stress of the economy and workers trying to hold onto their jobs has led to more fast food eating, which, in many cases, is believed to be cheaper than eating healthier. If stress is adding to your waistline, 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.

Procurement Services HUB Vendor

Each month, the Procurement Services HUB program will profile a new HUB vendor. This month’s featured HUB vendor is Rite Response. For more information, contact Nina.Lahasky@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-4862.

HOOP Updates

Several policies in the Handbook of Operating Procedures (HOOP) have been revised and updated. 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 HOOP online.