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

July 22 , 2005

In this issue…

Articles…

Status of the new campus for the UA College of Medicine - Phoenix

Planning for the expansion of The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix continues to progress.  In May 2005 the Arizona Legislature approved SB 1517 which appropriated $7 million to be used to expand the current Phoenix campus to a full, four-year program of the medical school.  The legislation also required that the Arizona Board of Regents submit a plan detailing the expansion to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee by September 1, 2005.  The UA’s portion of the report was completed and submitted to ABOR on July 15 after great effort by the College of Medicine team.

Renovation of the historic buildings at the new campus is also continuing.  The large windows that had been obstructed during a previous remodeling have been uncovered to let in natural light.  The interior of Building I has been removed and restoration of the original staircase will start.  The box office building has been removed and site preparation has begun.  To view a virtual tour of the construction site, please visit: http://www.phoenix.medicine.arizona.edu/video/const0605.avi.

With the preparation work nearly complete, reconstruction for the adaptive reuse is scheduled to kick-off August 9th.  The construction will continue until summer 2006, with a planned grand opening in late July 2006 for third- and fourth year students.   A class of 24 first-year students will begin in July 2007.

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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 pm 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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Med-Start program provides health career opportunity for high school students

The 2005 Maricopa Med-Start program began June 11 and was a huge success!  This five week summer program is an academic enrichment and health career exploration opportunity for high school students who have completed their junior year.  The program is in its second year and has many partners including: The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, Arizona State University, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center and Mesa Community College.

This year there were 17 participants who took two college level courses, earning 6 credits, prepared for college life by living on ASU campus and attended health career and College 101 presentations / tours.

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The UA Office of Access and Academic Achievement reaches out to valley schools

The UA Office of Access and Academic Achievement (OAAA) recently participated in health career outreach events at Zito Elementary (325 students from Kindergarten to 4th grade) and Palo Verde Middle School (420 students from 6th to 8th grade).  UA medical students, representatives from OAAA and the Health Career Ambassadors (ASU pre-health students) served as volunteers and demonstrated heart sounds, reflexes and also introduced interactive health career games to the students.

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