An electronic newsletter from The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix

August 31 , 2005

In this issue…

Articles…

Beth Schermer, JD, appointed interim dean for administration for the UA College of Medicine - Phoenix

The University of Arizona College of Medicine has appointed Beth Schermer, a noted Phoenix attorney who has worked in health care law for more than 25 years, to a one-year appointment as Vice Dean for Administration, UA College of Medicine-Phoenix.

The appointment takes effect Sept. 6; the UA College of Medicine soon will begin a national search for a permanent Vice Dean for the UA College of Medicine-Phoenix, whose duties will include all academic matters, such as curriculum development, instruction and faculty development.

Ms. Schermer, who has been a partner at Coppersmith, Gordon, Schermer, Owens & Nelson, PLC, since 1998, will take a one-year leave from the firm to help lead the UA effort to expand its College of Medicine into Downtown Phoenix, in collaboration with Arizona State University.  Her responsibilities will focus on building excellent relationships and facilitating open communications with the myriad stakeholders critical to the project’s success -- health care organizations, hospitals, educational institutions, governmental bodies, industry and foundations, among many others. 

UA College of Medicine Dean Keith Joiner, MD, MPH, said, “We’re extremely fortunate that Beth Schermer has agreed to serve as Vice Dean for Administration in Phoenix.  Her vast knowledge of health care policy and law, as well as her strong relationships with Arizona hospitals and health care organizations, will be a tremendous asset to this important effort. Because the medical school expansion is extremely fast-paced and complex, we needed someone immediately to help enhance communication and build stronger relationships in Maricopa County.  We believe Beth Schermer is the ideal person to serve in this role.”

Ms. Schermer has served as lead counsel to the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association, where she was responsible for coordinating legal services for health care advocacy and legislation.  She also co-authored AzHHA’s compliance manual.  A former president of the American Health Lawyers Association, her past experience also includes strategic planning for health care providers and negotiation of multi-party arrangements for health care joint ventures, contracts and settlements.  She has taught health law as an adjunct professor at the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University and currently serves on the Flinn Foundation’s Translational Research Project Advisory Committee.  She graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Yale College in 1977 and then received her law degree from Harvard Law School in 1980.

UA President Peter Likins, PhD, said, “We are excited to have the benefit of Beth’s experience, wisdom and skills as the Vice Dean for Administration.  She will represent Dean Joiner and her new UA colleagues as our full-time Phoenix representative, facilitating collaborations in Maricopa County and improving critical communication pathways.  I deeply appreciate her willingness to take leave from her law firm to serve a cause so critical to the people of Arizona.”

Arizona Regent Bob Bulla said, “The appointment of Beth Schermer is another major step forward in collaboratively advancing this expansion of medical education and research in Phoenix – an initiative that is of critical importance to the citizens of Maricopa County and the State of Arizona.” 

ASU President Michael Crow, PhD, added, “The new branch of the medical college in Phoenix is a strategically important project for all of Arizona.  Beth Schermer will provide the skills and experience needed to move the enterprise forward.

The interim appointment is part of a reorganization of the leadership structure at the current Phoenix campus in preparation for the expansion.  A comprehensive plan outlining the details for the expansion was approved as to concept and content Aug. 16 by Arizona Board of Regents.  The plan will be presented to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee as part of the requirements of SB 1517, which appropriated funding for the initial expansion.  The new campus is expected to open in July 2006 and the first class of 24 first-year students will begin in July 2007.  Ultimately, the campus is expected to graduate as many as 150 physicians per year.

For a complete update on the progress of the UA College of Medicine expansion in Phoenix, please visit our website at http://www.phoenix.medicine.arizona.edu/About/News/Campus/ .

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THealth facility to be housed at the new campus of the UA College of Medicine - Phoenix

The Arizona Telemedicine Program (ATP) has received $1.2 million in funding from the Department of Defense budget to equip and staff its Institute for Advanced Telemedicine and Telehealth (THealth) to be located in downtown Phoenix at the new University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix. 

THealth will be a state-of-the-art educational facility that will allow the UA College of Medicine faculty and staff in Phoenix to conduct research and develop medical simulations, robotics, and the design of “next-generation” medical devices.  The facility also will be used to train telemedicine users. 

In collaboration with the Arizona Regional Behavioral Health Authority Telemedicine Network, ATP has one of the largest and most successful comprehensive telemedicine programs in the world.  More than 160 subscribers are on the system. To date, ATP has won seven national awards as the top program, as a major provider of distance education over a telemedicine network, and for telehealth research. 

Ronald S. Weinstein, MD, director of the ATP, recently was invited to participate in a meeting at the White House of the Federal Interagency Medical Directors group, composed of medical directors from the White House, the State Department, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), and other Federal agencies.

Arizona State Sen. Bob Burns, one of the founders of the Arizona Telemedicine Program and now the chairman of the Arizona Telemedicine Council, was instrumental in the success of the telemedicine program.

“Thanks to Dr. Weinstein and his team we have one of the best telemedicine systems in the country,” Sen. Burns said.  “Arizona has realized tremendous cost savings by utilizing telemedicine in the prison system. We have improved the quality of life of those who have taken advantage of telemedicine by allowing people to be treated close to home versus traveling hundreds of miles to receive treatment.” 

For more information on The University of Arizona Telemedicine Program, visit http://www.telemedicine.arizona.edu/ .

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Mini-Medical School registration is underway

Learn about medicine the fun way!  Attend UA Mini-Medical School.  No homework, long exams, or long hours with this school.  Just bring your curiosity, questions, and enjoy the fun and informative lectures that cover the heart, how your brain learns, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), cancer, and asthma.  Also, there will be an opportunity to sign up for a mini-internship.

This popular evening lecture series is taking registration for its fall session, which begins on Wed., Sept. 14 and runs for six weeks.  All lectures are held from 6-8 p.m. at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix, 4001 N. Third St., Suite 415.  Early registration is recommended as seating is limited.  To register call Maria Wells at (602) 631-4600 or e-mail wellsm@u.arizona.edu.

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Save the date for upcoming Phoenix Faculty Meeting

A Phoenix Faculty Meeting will be held on October 17, 2005 at 5:15 p.m. at the Phoenix Airport Marriott.  Please save this date.  Further information will be forthcoming.  For questions, please contact Gail Skeens at (602) 631-6577.

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Project Medical Education program rolled out on August 17

The Public Affairs Office of the UA College of Medicine - Phoenix is piloting a Project Medical Education program that started on August 17.  Project Medical Education (PME) is a nationwide educational program targeting legislators and community leaders.  The objective is to educate community decision makers about the benefits a medical school brings to a community and the challenges that they face.

This pilot session is co-sponsored by Phoenix Community Alliance and will be designed specifically to address the needs of these key business leaders.  The series is comprised of four lectures by leading UA College of Medicine faculty and will culminate with a luncheon for program participants.  UA President Pete Likins and Mayor Phil Gordon will speak at the luncheon and a panel discussion will be held.

For more information about Project Medical Education, please contact Susan Guthrie at (602) 631-6555 or sguthrie@email.arizona.edu.

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The renovation of the new campus for the UA College of Medicine - Phoenix continues

The renovation efforts for the new campus of the UA College of Medicine in Phoenix continue to move forward at a rapid pace. 

Demolition, abatement and site preparation activities are complete at the site and permits have been received.  The adaptive reuse construction will now begin in earnest.  Specifically, construction of the "cores" (which will house the elevators, stairwells and plasma screens for event information) can now begin.  In addition, the City of Phoenix has released an RFQ for the parking structure at the campus.  This structure may include some retail. 

The project is expected to be complete by July 2006 when the exiting campus on Third Street and Indian School will relocate to the new facility.  The inaugural class of first-year students is expected to begin in July 2007.

To view a virtual tour of the construction site, please visit: http://www.phoenix.medicine.arizona.edu/video/const0605.avi.

For a complete update on the progress of the UA College of Medicine expansion in Phoenix, please visit our website at http://www.phoenix.medicine.arizona.edu/About/News/Campus/ .

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