Issue #723, October 20, 2009

Topics at a glance: Fun Fest’s ‘Most Wanted’ ... Health Care Reform Town Hall ... UT Flu Center: New Updates ... American Heart Walk ... Heart Walk Bake Sale ... Halloween Boo Bags ... Student InterCouncil Fall Fiesta ... CSW Award Nominations ... SEIS Physical Readiness Training ... MSB Forum and Competition ... SON Silent Auction ... TMC Parking Ticket Refunds ... New Library Fees ... IT SecuritySense ... Clinical Trials Volunteers ... IT Training Classes ... Holiday Sale Crafters ... Travel Safety Presentation ... Grand Rounds ... Rec Sports ... Traffic Alerts ... METRO Shuttle Update ... HAM-TMC Library Classes ... Procurement Services HUB Vendor

Fun Fest’s ‘Most Wanted’

You are WANTED at this year’s annual Fun Fest event!. This celebration for health science center faculty, staff and students will be held from 2 – 6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 23 at Grant Fay Park (adjacent to both the School of Nursing and School of Public Health) and will feature a country carnival theme. Be sure to enter the western wear competition and get ready for games, the salsa contest, the chili cook-off and tons of prizes.

See Fun Fest’s Most Wanted and try to figure out which health science center faculty, staff and students are featured on this year’s posters. Who knows, it may be you! The answers will be revealed at the event.

For more information or to volunteer for Fun Fest, contact Rose.M.Betancourt-Trevino@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-3209.

Health Care Reform Town Hall

Houston Have Your Say: Health Care Reform, alive town hall meeting will air at 7 p.m. today, Oct. 20, on PBS channel 8. HoustonPBS, in partnership with The Center for Houston’s Future, Houston Community Newspapers and Houston Public Radio will air this on-going series giving community leaders, concerned citizens and students an opportunity to discuss important issues and how they will impact the Houston region.

The meeting will be moderated by PBS television anchor, Patricia Gras. Guy Clifton, M.D., professor, Runnells Distinguished Chair in Neurosurgery, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, is scheduled to appear on the show. Viewers can be part of the community conversation on health care reform by calling in during the broadcast or emailing their question prior to the show to haveyoursay@houstonpbs.org.

The UT Flu Center: New Updates

Visit The UT Flu Center for new updates that may impact your work areas and personal health. If you are off campus, simply log in with your UT ID and password. The UT Pandemic Influenza Subcommittee continues to closely monitor developments related to the H1N1 virus on a regular basis.

For more information, contact the Flu Line at 713-500-3584.

Step Up to the American Heart Walk

UT Health Science Center at Houston President Larry R. Kaiser, M.D., 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.

Heart Walk Bake Sale

The Human Resources Heart Strings Team will sponsor a bake sale from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Oct. 21, in the UCT Lobby. Proceeds will benefit the American Heart Walk.

For more information, contact Karla.T.Crabtree@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-3135.

UCSC Halloween Boo Bags

The University Classified Staff Council (UCSC) Educational Awards Committee will deliver “Boo Bags,” a bag of Halloween treats to any health science center employee on Thursday, Oct. 29, for just $2 per bag. Submit requests and payment to your local UCSC representative with the name of the recipient and his or her building, department and room number, your name and a special note. Requests and payment must be received by Friday, Oct. 23. Find your local UCSC representative on the Boo Bags flyer.

For more information, contact UCSC@uth.tmc.edu.

Student InterCouncil Fall Fiesta

The UTHSC-H Student InterCouncil (SIC) will host its annual Fall Fiesta from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 28, at Two Rows Restaurant and Brewery (2400 University Blvd.) This year's event is Halloween themed and features a Halloween costume contest for prizes. Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided by the SIC. This event is open to all UTHSC-H students. Bring your UT student id badge to be checked at the door. Parking in the Village Arcade garage will be validated.

For more information, contact Kari.J.Brewer@uth.tmc.edu.

CSW Award Nominations

The Committee on the Status of Women is accepting nominations for the 2009 Distinguished Professional Woman Award. The woman nominated must:

• exemplify a professional woman
• be an outstanding achiever in Houston, Texas and/or the nation
• be respected by her peers as well as professionals in other disciplines
• have contributed significantly to her profession
• have made significant contributions to overall health, quality of life and public service
• demonstrate a pioneering spirit
• support women as both a mentor and a positive role model

Nominations are due by Monday, Nov. 23, and should be sent to Carmela Bourgeois in UCT 1716C. For more information, visit The Committee on the Status of Women or contact 713-500-3041.

SEIS Physical Readiness Training

The Student Epidemic Intelligence Society (SEIS) will present, “Physical Readiness Training: Promoting health and preparedness for tomorrow’s public health leaders,” at 6 p.m., Mondays, Oct. 26 and Nov. 9, at the Recreational Center’s athletic field (7779 Knight Rd.) Learn about SEIS and Public Health Services’ fitness guidelines and proper technique, walk, jog or run one and a half miles, do push-ups and sit-ups and learn how to set up your own fitness program.

The goal is to have fun and establish a supportive group atmosphere. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to attend, wearing comfortable clothes and appropriate shoes for exercise. Attend both sessions and receive a free t-shirt.

For more information, contact Jamie Emert, seis@uth.tmc.edu or 713-500-9438.

Medical School Forum and Competition

The 2009 Research Forum & C. Frank Webber Prize for Student Research Competition will take place from noon - 1:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 5, at MSB Leather Lounge. Second-year medical students who participated in the medical school's 2009 Summer Research Program will display and present the results of their summer research projects for peers and faculty to view.

The Webber Prize for Student Research is an award for outstanding research by a student established in memory of C. Frank Webber, M.D., former dean of the medical school. Medical students and faculty are encouraged to stop by the forum and support these young investigators.

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

SON Silent Auction

The School of Nursing staff will hold a silent auction from 2 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 28 – noon, Friday, Oct. 30, in the SON Cullen Trust for Higher Education Multipurpose Room. The auction will be open to the health science center community and money raised will help fund student awards and staff activities. Some of the items up for auction are Rockets tickets, a weekend in Galveston and restaurant gift certificates.

For more information, contact Peggy.S.Rose@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-2169.

TMC Parking Validation Ticket Refunds

For those UT Departments who currently validate or previously validated parking at TMC garages or lots, TMC will be collecting old, “parking ticket” style TMC parking validations. TMC will collect your validations and will mail UT a refund check. The funds will be disbursed to appropriate departments by general accounting once the check is received. Now that TMC has upgraded its system and currently uses the plastic tokens/coins, ticket validations no longer work. Your department must remit your validations or TMC will not issue you a refund.

Bring the validations you would like to turn in to one of the locations below:

• UCT Lobby – 9 – 11 a.m., Oct. 22
• DB Room 139 – 9 – 11 a.m., Nov. 5

For more information, contact John Hargraves, JHargraves@texasmedicalcenter.org or parking@uth.tmc.edu.

New Library Fees

The HAM-TMC Library has made changes to its fee schedule. Cardholder and non-cardholder fees for photocopies, searches, room rentals, scanning and faxing are available on the education tab on the university’s intranet.

For more information, contact the HAM-TMC Library, 713-795-4200.

IT SecuritySense

The October 2009 SecuritySense newsletter is now available at SecuritySense online.

Stories include:

• Trojan Virus Steals Bank Account Passwords
• Keep Your Guard Up When Using Facebook, Twitter
• Spam Trends to Watch Out For

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.

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.

IT Training Classes

IT Training will offer classes for new MS Office 2007 users in University Center Tower (UCT) 1160:

• What’s New in Office 2007 – 2 – 4 p.m., Oct. 22
• Introduction to MS Excel 2007 – 8 a.m. – noon, Oct. 22
• MS Word 2007 for the Non-Experienced User – 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Oct. 28
• Introduction to MS Excel 2007 – 8 a.m. – noon, Nov. 11
• What’s New in Office 2007 – 9 – 11 a.m., Nov. 20

To enroll, visit the Training Resource Center (TRC) and login using your UID and password. Classes are open to UTHSC-H employees as well as contract employees with approval from and prior arrangement by their department.

For more information, contact Jacqueline.Plaza@uth.tmc.edu, 713-486-4830.

Annual Holiday Sale Crafters

The Employee Relations Committee is seeking homemade crafts from the UT community for the 24th Annual Holiday Craft Show, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 1, in the Medical School’s Leather Lounge. To be included as a vendor in this year’s show, sign up by Saturday, Oct. 31, by contacting Kathryn.W.Merceri@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-6385 or Debbie.Rivas@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-6367.

Travel Safety Presentation

UTPD will present, “Safe Passage,” a free presentation that teaches simple techniques for travel safety. Learn about the criteria for selecting a safe hotel, how to spot and avoid scams, which seat is safest on an airplane, strategies to reduce your chance of being robbed and more. A trailer for the presentation is available from the Safe Travel Institute. Register online for one of the following presentations:

• IMM Room 109 – 10:30 a.m., Nov. 3
• SON Room 350 – 10:30 a.m., Nov. 4
• MSB B.100 – 10:30 a.m., Nov. 9

For more information, contact UT Police Crime Prevention at 713-563-7794.

Family & Community Medicine Grand Rounds

The UT Medical School presents the Family & Community Medicine Grand Rounds, 1 – 2 p.m., Wednesdays throughout October, in MSB 2.135.

This month’s theme is neurology and includes:

• Oct. 21 – “Rash-Differential Diagnosis and Treatment,” presented by Ron Rapini, M.D., professor and chair, Department of Dermatology, UT Medical School at Houston.

For more information, contact Carolyn.Love@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-7604.

Rec Sports

Table Tennis Tournament
Registration for the table tennis tournament at the Rec Center is open through today, Oct. 20. The tournament, open to men and women will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 28 and 29. Registration costs $3 for UT students and Rec Center members, and $5 for all others.

9-Ball Pool Tournament
Registration for the 9-ball tournament at the Rec Center is open to men and women through Tuesday, Oct. 27. The tournament will take place on Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 2 and 3. Registration costs $3 for UT students and Rec Center members, and $5 for all others .

Learn more about the Rec Center’s fall schedule.

For more information, contact Kelly.McNamara@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-8422.

Traffic Alerts

Bertner Avenue will be closed to traffic between Holcombe Boulevard and Moursund Street according to the following schedule:

• 12:01 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 17 through 4 a.m., Monday, Oct. 19
• 12:01 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 24 through 4 a.m., Monday, Oct. 26
• 12:01 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 31 through 4 a.m., Monday, Nov. 2

Bertner traffic will detour to M. D. Anderson Boulevard and Moursund Street during the road closure. Metro buses will pick up and drop off passengers at the intersections of M. D. Anderson Boulevard and Bates Street, and Moursund Street and Bertner Avenue.

METRO Shuttle Update

The METRO Red Shuttle servicing TMC’s Smith Lands parking lot has increased the number of buses available during peak afternoon hours by running buses every 15 minutes from 3 – 6 p.m. This increase in service is due to feedback regarding long waits and shortage of space on the buses during this time. METRO Rail service is also available to Smith Lands parkers.

If you have questions or concerns, contact TMC’s Customer Service Help Line, 713-791-6161.

HAM-TMC Library Classes

The HAM-TMC Library offers these upcoming classes:

• PubMed – 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., Oct. 20
• Open Access Mandates – 3 – 4 p.m., Oct. 20
• Increasing your Articles' Citation Rates – 11 a.m. – noon, Oct. 22
• NIH Public Access Policy – 9 – 10 a.m., Oct. 22

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

Procurement Services HUB Vendor

Each month, the Procurement Services HUB program will profile a new HUB vendor. This month’s featured HUB vendor is Today’s Business Solutions.

For more information, contact Nina.Lahasky@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-4862.