INTRODUCTION TOURS DONATIONS ARCHIVE 
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August 18, 2008 In This Issue:From Interim Dean Stuart Flynn Greetings, As a campus, we are growing up, invoking great pride and invigorating emotions. Our newly branded M1’s have acclimated beautifully, experiencing a melding of social events and academics (lectures, CBI’s and the doctoring course are in full bloom). We welcome the newest members of our campus and community family, but students be patient of us – it will take some of us a little longer to remember 48 names rather than 24. Our second-year students have already started to reengage with the campus after a summer (too short, I know) of fun, relaxation, arranging a wedding for at least one, and a little work on their scholarly project (right?).
We welcome to campus three new faculty, one who arrived earlier this summer and two from Canada that have started this month. First is the accomplished Dr. Robert Handa from Colorado State University. Dr. Handa and his team are coming to do research on hormones and their relationship to disease. Then, arriving this month is Dr. Trent Anderson from Ontario, Canada, where he earned his doctorate in anatomy and cell biology at Queen’s University in Kingston. Although still early in his career, Dr. Anderson has already earned awards for research in Parkinson’s disease and excellence in graduate studies. Coming from Montreal is Dr. Taben Hale. Another young scientist who worked at Queen’s University, earning a doctorate in pharmacology and toxicology. Dr. Hale has been a post-doctoral fellow in pharmacology at the University of Montreal for the last five years. These faculty members were recruited from an impressive list of applicants (and they had an impressive list of offers from which to select). They are critical additions for us, addressing several of our missions, including education and research, and we are ecstatic they are joining what we believe is a special medical campus and community. As many of you already know, the Arizona Legislature passed a budget at the end of June that included some $1 billion for the three state universities to address maintenance and upgrade issues on their respective campuses. Nearly half of that allocation -- $470 million – has been designated for the expansion of the biomedical campus here in Phoenix. That means plans will now go forward to construct a medical education building, a second research building and related facilities. Although a timetable has not yet been set for that construction, it is coming. We are greatly appreciative of the governor, the mayor, and the legislature for supporting our mission to expand and further address the shortage of physicians in Arizona. Finally, the plans for the leadership of the College of Medicine and our campus here in Phoenix are crystallizing. UA President Robert Shelton has directed the new Provost, Dr. Hay, to lead the recruitment of a vice president for health affairs for the university. That person will oversee the two campuses of the College of Medicine, the College of Nursing, the College of Pharmacy and the College of Public Health. After that appointment is made, the search for permanent deans for the two campuses will begin. It is an exciting time for all of us here on campus and we wanted to highlight some of things going on to keep you informed. A few more items of note...Academy of EducatorsKudos to three College of Medicine - Phoenix faculty members named this summer to the new Academy of Educators. The College of Medicine has established the designation to recognize its most outstanding educators and to provide a forum for teaching faculty to work together to enhance educational programs. Named to the 13-member academy were Doug Campos-Outcalt, MD, associate head and clinical professor of family and community medicine; Kipp Charlton, MD, clinical associate professor of pediatrics and assistant dean of student affairs; and Paul Standley, PhD, professor of basic medical sciences. Congratulations! CAT GroupThe August Lunchtime movie is "Ratatouille" and will be shown on Aug. 20 and 27 beginning at 12:15 p.m. in the auditorium. Bring your lunch and take a break from your desk and the heat. Beverages will be provided. Watch for updates on future campus activities, including a book drive for Esperanza Elementary School, an Ice Cream Social and formation of a Holiday Planning Committee. Also, remember that Sept. 27 is the American Diabetes Association walk at Rawhide at Wild Horse Pass. The College of Medicine - Phoenix is a sponsor – please see Sheila Maddox for more information. Blood DrivePut Sept. 9 in red on your calendar, it’s Blood Drive day on campus. The United Blood Services mobile unit will be parked on the walkway in between Buildings 1 and 2 on Sept. 9 to handle blood donors in its annual stop. Remember that 60 percent of the population will need blood or blood products sometime during their life and if you are able to donate, please consider signing up for a slot on Sept. 9. For more information, please contact Jessica Coronado (602-827-2033) or Stephanie Gradillas (602-827-2002). You can also sign up online at www.bloodhero.com (sponsor code: ua). Summer CampDid it seem busier than you expected this summer? The College of Medicine - Phoenix played host to a few programs for high schoolers. The latest group of Med-Start students spent five weeks on campus this summer in the premier program conducted by the Office of Outreach and Multicultural Affairs. Students from across the state took part in the program that exposes teen-agers interested in the health-related fields to medical school and the college experience. A group of six Phoenix-area teens spent six weeks on the second floor of Building 2 in the Osler Summer Fellowship Program run by the Arizona Telemedicine Program. This project gives students an intense medical school experience as part of research in exploring the notion of admitting students to medical school without undergraduate training. Open EnrollmentA reminder that benefits open enrollment runs from Aug. 11 through Sept. 5. This is your annual opportunity to make changes and to confirm current selections. If you have questions about benefits or other employee matters, please see Jessica Coronado on the second floor of Building 1. She can be reached at (602) 827-2033. Forum ScholarshipsThree Phoenix-area high school students will get a chance to participate in the prestigious National Youth Leadership Forum on medicine with scholarships from the College of Medicine. The students will take part in a 10-day program that offers high-achieving students an incredible experiential education course. The students will get to interact with some of the area’s health-related professionals from top-notch hospitals, research facilities and other locations in addition to the medical schools. The students will have the opportunity to intensively explore their desire to pursue a career in medicine. The National Youth Leadership Forum also conducts programs for other areas, including law, national security and an international program. |
The White Coat Ceremony for the class of 2012 was a beautiful success. The students evolved from a minor touch of nervousness while lining up for the procession to a perceptible bounce in their step (some with noisy heels on our gorgeous, but loud, hardwood floors) with wide smiles after receiving their white coats. The parents, spouses, family and friends radiated with pride and love with many hugs, kisses and even a tear or two. Thank you to all of our faculty who attended, including many clinical leaders, as well as many community leaders who continue to do so much for our campus. Provost Meredith Hay’s attendance was also greatly appreciated. It was wonderful being able to join together for a ceremony reflecting the collective success of our efforts. Lastly, thank you to all on campus who made this evening so special and a life long memory. You are the best!