NewsLink, Jan. 13, 2017
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Awards and Recognitions

Welcome to Dr. Lamelas

Dr. Joseph Lamelas has joined Baylor's Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery as associate chief of cardiac surgery in the division of cardiothoracic surgery. Lamelas is an internationally recognized expert in minimally invasive heart surgery and will conduct surgeries at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, part of CHI St. Luke's Health. See the press release for details. To make an appointment, call 713-798-1300.

Mizrahi elected to epilepsy society

Dr. Eli Mizrahi, chair and professor of neurology and professor of pediatrics, was elected president of the American Epilepsy Society, a medical and scientific society with 4,000 members, at the society's annual meeting last month in Houston. Mizrahi is internationally recognized for his work in the field of epilepsy in pediatric and adult patients. He has been an active member of the American Epilepsy Society since 1981.

Salemi elected to leadership in birth defects network

Dr. Jason Salemi, assistant professor of family and community medicine, will serve as 2017 president-elect of the National Birth Defects Prevention Network, which uses surveillance data for research, planning and evaluation activities that support prevent and improvement programs for patients and families living with birth defects. He has been involved in this field since 2005 and has served in numerous roles for the national network.

Events

Sweeney and Patel to speak at Partnership event Jan. 17

Dr. Alex Sweeney, assistant professor of otolaryngology, will discuss hearing loss at the Partnership for Baylor College educational lunch Jan. 17 at 11:30 a.m. In addition, Dr. Shital Patel, assistant professor of medicine – infectious disease, will provide an update on the Zika virus and emerging infections in Texas. Tickets are available online. The Partnership is an advocacy and support group for the College.

Women’s leadership panel includes hospital executives

A Women's Executive Leadership Panel, including Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center President Gay Nord and other CHI St. Luke's executives, will discuss opportunities in the healthcare industry at an event presented by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston and CHI St. Luke's Health, on Tuesday, Jan. 17. The event will be held at the Hess Club, 5430 Westheimer, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. For more info, call the Chamber at 713-624-7131 and please register online.

Sexuality research networking lunch Jan. 20

Trainees, staff and faculty are invited to bring your lunch to the next Sexuality, Science and Sandwiches series from noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, at the VA and BCM Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Room 101 on the McGovern campus. Cookies and coffee will be provided. The series aims to establish a network of individuals who are engaged in sex research and scholarship across disciplines and institutions. A UTHealth School doctoral student will present at noon on disparities in HPV prevalence in women followed by Dr. Charlene Flash, assistant professor of medicine, discussing her research on the implementation of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in Houston. RSVP to Dr. Michael Kauth.

Marfan walk and kick-off event

The Marfan Foundation will host the second annual Houston Walk for Victory March 25 at Discovery Green, and there are two Baylor/TCH teams. Register online and join Coselli's Crusaders or Team Texas Children's. A kick-off party for walkers and others affected by or interested in learning more about Marfan syndrome will be held Saturday, Jan. 21, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Dave and Buster's, 7620 Katy Freeway. RSVP for the kick-off event to dnoe@marfan.org.

Pathways to Promotion workshops

Faculty members, is your academic career progression on track? Start the new year by participating in a Pathways to Promotion workshop that provides an overview of the Baylor promotions process and standards and a workbook tool to enable you to assess your individual progress. If possible, bring a copy of your CV (paper or electronic) for reference. Workshops currently are scheduled for the following times and locations. RSVP to Remy Elizondo in the Office of Faculty Development at (713) 798-7285 to attend.
- Tuesday, Jan. 24, 12:15 – 1:30 p.m. (Room M319.01-M309.03, Main Campus)
- Friday, Feb. 3, 2017, 4– 5:15 p.m. (Alford Education Center, McNair Campus)
- Friday, Feb. 24, 12:15 – 1:30 p.m. (Room M319.01-M309.03, Main Campus)

Register for Shearer Symposium on immunodeficiency and immunology

Registration is open for the third Biennial William T. Shearer Symposium on "Innovations in Primary Immunodeficiency and Clinical Immunology," on Saturday, Feb. 11, at the JW Marriott Houston Downtown, 806 Main St. Early bird registration is $25 until Jan. 25. Register online. The symposium honors Shearer, professor of pediatrics at Baylor and Texas Children's Hospital, who has been a leader in his career in the area of immunological disorders, including HIV/AIDS.

Early bird registration open for bioethics course

Registration is open for the Intensive Bioethics course, to be held April 18-21. Sponsored by Baylor's Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy and Houston Methodist Hospital, the course is geared toward individuals who encounter complex ethical challenges in the healthcare setting and wish to receive advanced training. Register by Feb. 1 to receive the early bird special tuition discount! CME credits will be offered. Learn more and register online.

College News

Nominations open for excellence in patient care awards

Nominations are open for the 2017 Faculty Awards for Excellence in Patient Care. Faculty members involved in the direct care of patients and in clinical areas such as clinical or translational research, patient safety and quality, clinical diagnostics and healthcare leadership are eligible, with three categories of awards available: Early Career (2-5 years of service), Star (6-15 years) and Master Clinician (15 or more years). For more information, please see the awards website. The deadline for Early Career and Star nominations is Feb. 10; March 1 for Master Clinician.

Compliance training deadline approaching!

Did you know that privacy breaches cost healthcare organizations millions of dollars in federal fines every year? All students and paid employees, including faculty, staff, postdocs and residents are required to take Annual Compliance Training. This year's topic focuses on the privacy and security of confidential information. If you haven't completed your training, take it online today. The Jan. 27, 2017 deadline is fast approaching.

Series on stalking

The College defines stalking as engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that causes that person (or a member of that person's family or household) to fear for their safety or the safety of others. Stalking is unpredictable, dangerous and a crime in all 50 states. If you are being stalked, trust your instincts, take threats seriously, develop a safety plan and tell those around you. Learn more on the Baylor Title IX website or by visiting the National Stalking Awareness Month site. Need Help? Contact BCM Security Office at 713-798-3000, or the BCM Title IX coordinator, Mikiba Morehead, at (713) 798-8137 or mikiba.morehead@bcm.edu.

Albert Schweitzer program recruiting prospective fellows

The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship Houston – Galveston is accepting applications for its 2017-18 class of fellows. The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship is a one-year interdisciplinary, mentored fellowship program focused on health-related community service and leadership development. Students enrolled in graduate or professional degree-granting programs interested in applying should be prepared to partner with a local community agency and design a community service project that provides direct health service to an underserved population. Visit the ASFHG website for more information on applying and on current and past fellows and their projects. Applications are due Feb. 1.

Sign up for annual BeWell fitness challenge

Benefits-eligible employees, lace up your shoes for another fitness challenge by BCM BeWell – this one from New York City, where the last challenge left off, to Minneapolis. The challenge will run Jan. 16 to Nov. 20, with required checkpoints along the way, including completing the 2017 Vitality Health Review, viewing one Health FYI in 2017, creating and checking in to a goal and completing the 2017 Biometric Screening. Join the Getaway to Good Health - Minneapolis challenge by logging in to the BCM BeWell portal and clicking "My Challenges" under the "Community" header. For questions, email wellness@bcm.edu.

Faculty in the News

Dr. Adam Kuspa was interviewed by Houston Public Radio on research funding. Read Baylor's news media mentions in this week's Faculty in the News. Interested in science news? Read the latest in From the Labs.

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