Issue #725, November 3, 2009

Topics at a glance: The UT Flu Center: New Updates ... Leadership in Action Award ... EOHS Research Seminar Series ... CCTS Lecture Series ... Diversity Fair 2009 ... The American Heart Walk ... Fleming Center Panel ... CSW Award Nominations ... Reporting Interim Safety Data ... Travel Safety Presentation ... Demystifying the IRB Process ... SEIS Physical Training ... CPR Training ... RsVP Lecture ... PartnershipsInAction Walk ... Medical School Competition ... IT Training Classes ... HAM-TMC Library Classes

The UT Flu Center: New Updates

The H1N1 vaccine will be administered to UTPhysician- credentialed providers:

• LBJ Chief of Staff Conference Room, COS 101 – 9 – 11 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 3
• MSB B610 – 1 – 3 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 3

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.

Michael J. Jimenez Leadership in Action Award

Faculty and staff at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston are urged to nominate a deserving colleague for the fifth annual Michael J. Jimenez Leadership in Action Award by 5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 4. The award, which will be presented at the 2010 STAR Awards luncheon, honors the memory of the late Mike Jimenez, former vice-president and chief human resources officer. The award offers the individual a $5,000 cash prize and signifies the importance of leadership at our institution.

Nominations should describe the nominee's demonstration of the following leadership traits:

• Excellent two-way communication skills
• A commitment to enhanced collaboration and productive relationships with faculty and staff at all levels of the organization
• Energy and enthusiasm for the work of the university
• Appreciation for the contributions of others
• A commitment to professional development of others
• A consistently positive attitude
• A commitment to do the right thing

Nominations should be sent as a word document in 12 point font and should not exceed six pages. A group may jointly nominate one person, following the same guidelines. Attach document and email with Jimenez Leadership Award in the subject line to WorkLife Coordinator Sam.Hester@uth.tmc.edu.

EOHS Research Seminar Series

The Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences will host a research seminar series featuring, “The Economics of Preventing Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: Why money matters?" presented by Benjamin Amick, Ph.D., professor, Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas School of Public Health. This presentation is scheduled from noon – 1 p.m., Friday, Nov. 6, in SPH Room 102A. Lunch will be provided for the first 50 attendees.

For more information, contact Bruce.E.Banes@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-9462.

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:

• Nov. 5 – “Aseptic Meningoencephalitis Syndrome in Adults,” presented by Rodrigo Hasbun, M.D., M.P.H., visiting associate professor, Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases, UT Medical School at Houston.
• Nov. 19 – “Cardiovascular Complications of HIV,” presented by Tanvir Bell, M.D., assistant professor, Internal Medicine, 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.

Diversity Fair 2009

The UT School of Public Health Students Association (SPHSA) invites Texas Medical Center students, faculty and staff to celebrate diversity and show off your heritage at 4 p.m., Friday, Nov. 13, at the School of Public Health. Bring your favorite ethnic dish, arts and crafts or quilts for display and participate in a cultural show by singing, dancing, acting or playing a musical instrument. Taste a variety of ethnic foods with a $2 donation to SPHSA. The fair will also provide opportunities to learn a variety of dance styles through workshops. Be sure to dress in your ethnic attire as awards will be given for best dressed and best cultural table.

To participate in the show or register a table for your heritage, contact Sofia.De.Achaval@uth.tmc.edu.

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, 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.

Fleming Center Panel

The University of Texas School of Public Health’s George McMillan Fleming Center for Healthcare Management will host its fifth moderated panel discussion from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Monday, Nov. 16, in the School of Public Health RAS auditorium.

Jerry A. Bell Jr, partner at Fulbright & Jaworski, will moderate, “The Role and Responsibilities of Boards: The Line Between Management and Governance.” Panelists will include Charles Miller, past chair, The University of Texas System Board of Regents; Gary L. Rosenthal, board chair, Texas Children’s Hospital; and Marc J. Shapiro, board chair, Baylor College of Medicine. Lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. Parking is available in the Pressler garage and limited space also is available at the M. D. Anderson Ambulatory Care Center garage.

To RSVP, contact Shannon.M.Larson@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-3252, by Friday, Nov. 6.

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 call 713-500-3041.

Reporting Interim Safety Data

Janet Wittes, Ph.D., founder and president of Statistics Collaborative, Inc., Washington, DC, will present “Reporting Interim Safety Data,” from noon – 1 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 4, in the School of Public Health RAS auditorium. Dr. Wittes is also co-author of the monograph Statistical Monitoring of Clinical Trials – a Unified Approach. Lunch will be provided to the first 50 attendees. Parking is available at Texas Medical Center Garage 2.

For more information, contact Peggy.L.Powell@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-9230.

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:

• 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.

Demystifying the IRB Process

The Clinical Trials Research Center will present its third session of “Demystifying the IRB Process,” from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 17, at the UT Professional Building, 1100.55. Arlene White-Brisco, IRB will present, “What does the CPHS look for in an informed consent?” This course will focus on the ethical, legal and regulatory consideration of the informed consent process. Suggestions will be given on how to develop a research consent document with an overview of the common deficiencies seen by the IRB in consent development.

Lunch will be provided for the first 25 attendees. Registration is required by logging onto the Training & Resource Center and selecting “2010 CTRC IRB-03 Informed Consent,” from the course catalog.

For more information, contact Linda.N.Gilbert@uth.tmc.edu, 713-500-7922.

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., Monday, 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.

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

CPR Training

The School of Nursing Alumni Association will present CPR training for beginners and Recertification CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) training for adult, child and infant, along with the Heimlich Maneuver (choking). This upcoming class will take place in SON Room 370 from 1 – 4 p.m., Friday, Nov. 13. A $50 registration fee is required, payable by cash or check only.

To register or for more information, contact alumni@uth.tmc.edu.

RsVP Lecture

The Geriatric & Palliative Medicine Division will host a lecture for the Reynolds Visiting Professor Program (RsVP) from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Nov. 12, in MSB 5.001. Guest Speaker, Laurie Jacobs, M.D., professor of Clinical Medicine, director, Resnick Gerontology Center, at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine & Montefiore Medical Center, will present, “Oral Anticoagulation for Older Adults in 2009: Is this Warfarins Last Stand?” Dinner will follow.

RSVP with your name, credentials, affiliation, clinical specialty, email address and phone number to Rhonda.Bailes@uth.tmc.edu.

PartnershipsInAction Walk

Join PartnershipsInAction for its annual walk, beginning at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 14, at Sam Houston Park Downtown (1100 Bagby Street). Check-in will begin at 8:30 a.m. One-hundred percent of funds raised benefit the PartnershipsInAction Foundation, which raises funds and awareness to help communities in some of the poorest areas of Africa and Asia create long-term solutions to poverty. This event is free and fun for the whole family.

To register for the walk, visit PartnershipsInAction.

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. It was 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.

IT Training Classes

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

• 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.

HAM-TMC Library Classes

The HAM-TMC Library offers these upcoming classes:

• Excel 2007 Basic – 9:30 a.m. – noon, Nov. 10
• PubMed – 4 – 5 p.m., Nov. 10
• Word 2007 – 2 – 4 p.m., Nov. 11
• PowerPoint 2007 Basic – 2 – 4 p.m., Nov. 13

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