NewsLink, March 11, 2022 
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College News

COVID requirements relaxed

With COVID-19 levels at low to medium in Harris County based on updated CDC guidance, mask and entrance symptom screening have been eliminated in nonclinical Baylor buildings, with some exceptions. See full information.

Provide feedback through central services survey

The 2022 Information Technology, Facilities and Food Services Survey for all faculty, staff and trainees is now open. The survey provides an opportunity to participate in the master planning process (Facilities, IT, Food Services, etc.) Responses are anonymous and will be used to prioritize improvements to services and amenities for the Baylor community. Complete the survey by March 15. 

HR news

Bike for charity: Join Team BCM for the Texas MS 150 April 30 – Mary 1 to raise money to end multiple sclerosis. First, register for the event (use password BCM22 to join), then complete the 2022 Team Baylor College of Medicine (Texas MS 150) Cycling Registration Survey and, finally, join the Facebook team page for current events and updates. Email wellness@bcm.edu with questions. 

E-Learning: Learning G.P.S. is the online system that offers professional and career development courses to help faculty and staff grow in their current positions and prepare for the future. Benefits-eligible employees have access to a comprehensive on-line catalog of courses, videos, books and certifications anytime, anywhere. Click here to get started today!

Same-day surgical center

Baylor providers are invited to rent space for same-day procedures in the Center for Ambulatory Surgery Therapeutics, or CfAST, the Department of Surgery's multidisciplinary surgical center. The space enables providers to see more patients and reduces costs for the patient. Physicians from vascular, breast, plastic, endocrine and thoracic surgery and urology currently are enrolled, and the center is looking forward to partnering with more Baylor physicians. Providers interested in using this space for conscious sedation procedures can visit CfAST online, email cfastinfo@bcm.edu or call 713-798-4411.

HIV awareness campaign

Yesterday marked National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, while National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day was in February. The Houston AIDS Education and Training Center, led by Dr. Shital Patel, assistant professor of medicine – infectious diseases, has created a social media campaign to support the health of at-risk communities in Texas, where more than half of the women who are newly diagnosed with HIV are Black. The campaign brings attention to PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), a pill that can help prevent HIV, and encourages scheduling a healthcare appointment to address sexual health and HIV testing. Watch the PrEP For Her campaign.

Rugby discounts

The Houston Sabercats rugby team is offering all BCM employees a discount on tickets this season. Head out to the centrally located AVEVA Stadium to learn all about "scrums," "mauls," "Garry Owens" and more. Get tickets online; discount code: HEALTHHEROES.

Events

DocTalk on nutrition

This National Nutrition Month, learn about intuitive eating at a virtual DocTalk presentation at noon March 15 with speaker Courtney Kay Cary, registered dietitian at Baylor. BCM BeWell Vitality points available. Register to attend.

Maternal health talk

For Women's History Month, Department of Medicine Inclusivity, Diversity and Equity in Action Grand Rounds and the Center of Excellence in Health Equity, Training, and Research Grand Rounds host "Improving Maternal Health: Seeking Equity and Allies," 12:15 – 1:15 p.m. March 17, by Dr. Carla Ortique, clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at BCM and vice chair of the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Task Force and Review Committee. Attend by Zoom; Passcode: 041933.

Submit proposals for health equity conference

Session proposals and research abstracts are being accepted through April 1 and April 15, respectively, for the 5th Annual 2022 BCM Center of Excellence in Health Equity, Training and Research Summer Research Summit, which will be held virtually May 17. This year's theme is Academic-Community Partnerships: Change Agents for Advancing Health Equity. Click here for the conference session submission form; click here for abstract submission.

Awards and Recognitions

Consul honored as outstanding resident

Dr. Nikita Consul, PGY5 diagnostic radiology resident, and chief resident, is the 2022 recipient of the Guiberteau Award for resident excellence. The award is presented by the Texas Radiological Society Foundation each year to one senior resident in Texas for their contributions in scholarship, leadership and citizenship/humanitarianism.

Emergency medicine kudos

Dr. Ynhi Thomas, assistant professor of emergency medicine, was named vice president of education for the Academy for Women in Academic Emergency Medicine through the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine. Dr. Edgardo Ordonez, assistant professor, was named president of the Academy for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Medicine through the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine.

Medical student Wong named to AMA Council

M.D./M.P.H. student Christopher Wong was appointed by the American Medical Association Board of Trustees to the AMA Council of Science and Public Health. The 12 physician and trainee councilors advise the AMA on policy positions related to biomedical research, scientific issues and public health. Wong will serve a one-year term beginning in June 2022.

Faculty in the News

Is there such a thing as too much coffee? There can be when you're taking in too much caffeine. Physician assistant Isabel Valdez offers tips on cutting back in this Insider story. See this and Baylor’s other news media mentions in this week's Faculty in the News, and follow BCMHouston_News on Twitter to keep up with our experts in the media. Interested in science news? Read the latest in From the Labs.

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