Issue #715, August 25, 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: Student InterCouncil Salutation 2009 ... Employee Referral Program ...Committee on the Status of Women Success Series ... IT SecuritySense ... UTHSC-H 17th Annual Scholarship Golf Classic ... Step Up to the American Heart Walk ... Fun Fest 2009: Rodeo Carnival ... Fall 2009 Schedule of Classes ... SPH Continuing Education ... CCTS Lecture Series ... Students' Insurance Coverage ... CHAMP Workshop – Geriatric Medicine ...Volunteer for Clinical Trials ... UNCF Walk for Education ... HOOP: Political Activities at Work ... HAM-TMC Library Classes ... Getting Around ... TMC Parking System Conversion Update ... Procurement Services HUB Vendor

Student InterCouncil Salutation 2009

Student InterCouncil will host Salutation 2009, welcoming new and returning students, from 5 – 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 3, at the School of Nursing. Get to know the Deans, President Larry R. Kaiser, student government leaders and other important leaders.

Food, drinks and free gifts will be provided. Parking validation will be available for the MDACC Ambulatory Clinic Building Parking Garage located on Bertner Street between Pressler Street and Holcombe Boulevard.

For more information, contact Carmela.H.Bourgeois@uth.tmc.edu.

Employee Referral Program

Exciting new plans for a revamped Employee Referral Program are in the works. The plan, currently in development, will feature new creative and fun rewards for employees who refer successful candidates to The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston family.

When you refer a candidate, you help the University in several ways, including increasing the quality, retention and satisfaction of new hires, while at the same time reducing our hiring costs. But even more important, it is an opportunity for you to participate in the development of our future workforce here at UTHSC-H.

With the introduction of the new program, the current practice of awarding administrative leave time for referrals will be discontinued effective Sept. 1, 2009. Stay tuned this fall for further updates on the new program.

Committee on the Status of Women Success Series

The Committee on the Status of Women at UTHSC-H presents a brown bag series titled, “Career Strategies for Women at UTHSC-H: Success Showcase Series.” You can enjoy candid conversations with some of the most successful women on campus and learn how they negotiated the twists and turns in their career paths. Hear their stories and bring your questions.

The first scheduled speaker is Claire Brunson, director of Management Services, Office of Administration at the UT Medical School. She will share her story that began 20 years ago as a staff assistant in the Department of Pediatrics at UT Medical School, Noon – 1 p.m., today, Aug. 25, in MSB B500.

For more information, contact Hariyadars.Pannu@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-6137.

IT SecuritySense

The August 2009 SecuritySense newsletter is now available at SecuritySense online. Stories include:

SecuritySense, an online resource for the university is created each month by Information Technology to discuss recent IT security issues and focus on user awareness.

UTHSC-H 17th Annual Scholarship Golf Classic

Attention Houston Golfers! The 17th Annual University of Texas Health Science Center Scholarship Golf Classic tees up at 10 a.m., Monday, Oct.19, at Palmers Golf Course in The Woodlands. The tournament is open to the public, and this year, features country music star Clay Walker, an old friend and strong supporter of the UT Health Science Center. Plenty of gifts, prizes, food and auction items will be on hand, including a signed guitar donated by Clay Walker.

All proceeds go to fund scholarships for health science center students in all six schools. This year, the goal is 200 golfers and $100,000 in scholarship funds. This year’s co-chairs are Drs. Jerry Wolinsky and Max Buja, along with Mr. Barry Lewis, member of the UT Health Science Center Development Board. Register online by 4 p.m., Oct. 12.

For more information, contact Rose.M.Betancourt-Trevino@uth.tmc.edu , 713-500-3209.

Step Up to the American Heart Walk

President Larry R. Kaiser asks us to save the date for the American Heart Walk, 8:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, at Sam Houston Park in downtown Houston. Join the American Heart Walk and become a team captain, walker or volunteer. Visit the American Heart Walk to learn more and to see photos from last year’s walk.

For more information, contact Rose.M.Betancourt-Trevino@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-3209.

Fun Fest 2009: Rodeo Carnival

Mark your calendar for Fun Fest – the major fall event for the entire health science center community – from 2 – 6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 23, at Texas Medical Center – Grant Fay Park. The committee members have been working all year to bring you fun and excitement to show the university’s appreciation for all you do.

This year’s rodeo carnival theme will feature music, dancing, free food, giveaways and our popular Chili Cook-Off and Hot Salsa Contest (all faculty, staff, students, individual departments and “interdisciplinary” teams are eligible to compete.) Be sure to dust off your boots and shape your cowboy hat to enter the “Western Wear Competition.” Visit Fun Fest 2009 to learn more.

To volunteer for Fun Fest, contact Rose.M.Betancourt-Trevino@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-3209.

Fall 2009 Schedule of Classes

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

  • Open registration is through Aug. 28. Payment is due Aug. 28.
  • Open registration for DBPG ended Aug. 21. Payment is due Aug. 28.
  • Late registration for GSBS, CLRS, NURS, SHIS and SPH students is Aug. 31 – Sept. 4. ($15 late fee.)
  • Late registration for DBPG is through Aug. 28. ($15 late fee.)

For more information, visit the Registrar’s Office.

SPH Continuing Education

The Southwest Center for Occupational & Environmental Health is pleased to present the EHS Academy, providing a solid foundation from which you can understand and manage your institution's environmental health and safety issues. Limited HBCU/MI scholarships are available. The schedule includes:

For more information, contact Vickie.L.Mason@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-9451.

CCTS Lecture Series

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

  • Sept. 3 – “SmartConsent: A Computerized Informed Consent for Patients,” presented by John Valenza, DDS, interim dean, associate professor and executive associate dean, UT Dental Branch.
  • Sept. 10 – “Validation of Electronic Record Systems: An introduction to 21 CFR 11 compliance,” presented by Patrick Curfman, validation manager, Information Technology.
  • Sept. 17 – “Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes: Lessons from BARI 2D Trial,” presented by Francisco Fuentes, M.D., professor, Internal Medicine, Cardiology, UT Medical School.
  • Sept. 24 – “Translating Results from Large Clinical Trials to the Community – the ALLHAT Experience,” presented by Barry Davis, M.D., Ph.D, professor of Biostatistics, director, Coordinating Center for Clinical Trials, UT School of Public Health.

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.

Students' Insurance Coverage

Students who would like to waive their university health insurance coverage because they already are covered under another policy must submit their request by the following deadlines:

  • 1st and 2nd year medical students – Sept. 1 ($1,100 fee)
  • Dental students and dental hygiene students – Sept. 1 ($1,100 /$392 fee)
  • Dental postgrads – Sept. 10 ( $401 fee)
  • MDA students – Sept. 10 ($398 fee)
  • Academic students – Sept. 16 ($395 fee)

Please review your bill closely on UTLINK. To make changes, fill out your Student Health Insurance Confirmation form. Do not complete this form if you are purchasing United Health Insurance as assessed on your student fee bill.

For more information, contact student-insurance@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-8400.

CHAMP Workshop – Geriatric Medicine

The Geriatric and Palliative Medicine Program will be offering a free two-day workshop, 8 a.m. – 4:15 p.m., Sept. 10, in MSB B.605, continued from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Sept. 11, in MSB 3.001. The workshop, titled, “Care of the Hospitalized Aging Medical Patient” (CHAMP) was designed by the University of Chicago to teach non-geriatric faculty how to incorporate geriatric teaching at the bedside with students, residents and other learners in the hospital setting. Earn free CME credit.

Topics will include: Delirium, Depression and Dementia; Medications and the Elderly Patient; Goals of Care; Falls; End-of-Life Issues; Symptoms and Pain Management, and others.

To register, contact Rhonda.Bailes@uth.tmc.edu with your name, hospital affiliation, work address, phone and fax numbers, email address and clinical specialty.

Volunteer for Clinical Trials

Most of the medical breakthroughs and advancements that we enjoy today began as clinical studies with volunteer subjects. Participants in clinical trials can play a more active role in their own health care, gain access to new research treatments before they are widely available, and help others by contributing to medical research.

As someone affiliated with the university, you can play an additional important role by taking part in a clinical trial. Search through the research trials currently accepting subjects and help make a difference.

UNCF Walk for Education

The UNCF will host its 24th Annual 5K Walk for Education at 7:45 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 19, in Tom Bass Park, Section 1. UNCF plays a critical role in enabling more than 65,000 students to obtain college degrees each year. Register online to walk and qualify for a UNCF t-shirt. Participation is free.

For more information, contact UNCFHoustonEvents@uncf.org or 713-942-8623.

HOOP: Political Activities at Work

It is important for faculty and staff to remember that, as a state employee, you may not use state time or property, such as computers or the email system, for political purposes. All employees have the right to participate in political activities, but because the university receives state support, we must be very clear that those individual rights don't spill over into the workplace.

In general, employees may participate in political activities, but not during work time nor by using state resources. Telephone calls and emails may not be used to campaign for or support a campaign for political purposes. The rights, responsibilities and the duties of health science center employees regarding political activities are spelled out in HOOP 2.57, Political Activities.

For general HOOP information, visit HOOP online. For more information, contact the Office of Institutional Compliance at 713-500-3294.

HAM-TMC Library Classes

The HAM-TMC Library offers these upcoming classes:

  • PowerPoint 2007 Basic – 2 – 4 p.m., Aug. 28
  • Excel 2007 Basic – 9:30 a.m. – noon, Sept. 8
  • Excel 2007 Intermediate – 10 a.m. – noon, Sept. 9
  • Word 2007 – 10 a.m. – noon, Sept. 10

All classes are free and offered in the library classroom. View the complete class schedule and register.

Getting Around

The Getting Around section of the intranet provides all the information you’ll need to get around the Texas Medical Center.

For more information about parking and shuttle services, visit the Auxiliary Enterprises Parking/ Shuttle Services.

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.

Start Date

End Date

Location(s)

8/28/2009

8/30/2009

G4

9/8/2009

9/8/2009

G11

9/9/2009

9/9/2009

G9

9/10/2009

9/14/2009

G16

9/15/2009

9/18/2009

G12

9/21/2009

9/22/2009

TCH Valet

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 the 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 or the conversion process, contact Eve Grubb at 713-791-6149.

Procurement Services HUB Vendor

Each month, the Procurement Services HUB program will profile a new Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program vendor. This month’s featured HUB vendor is Scimetrics. For more information, contact Nina.Lahasky@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-4862.