NewsLink, Dec. 9, 2022
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College News

School of Health Professions ceremonies

Baylor celebrated its School of Health Professions graduates last week. Commencement for Physician Assistant, Doctor of Nursing Practice – Nurse Anesthesia and Orthotics and Prosthetics students was held Saturday, Dec. 3, at Rice University's Stude Hall. Read more here about the graduates and view the Facebook photo gallery of the event. DNP students also participated in a hooding ceremony, a tradition for doctoral program graduates where a faculty advisor drapes their doctoral hood over their head, signifying completion of their degree and entry into the community of scholars. Joyful students are pictured here after the hooding ceremony.

Toy and gift drive

It's not too late to donate to Baylor's toy and gift drive benefiting BEAR Houston, a nonprofit organization that supports abused and neglected children from newborn to age 17. See a list of suggested toys and gifts. Drop-offs can be made through Dec. 14 at the following locations. Questions? Email Alex Alanis. 

Main Baylor – Office of Communications & Community Outreach, suite 176B Children's Nutrition Research Center – first floor lobby 

McNair – first floor employee elevators 

Jamail – first floor employee elevators 

Greenway – Phoenix Tower 11th floor, suite 1180    

Share your holiday spirit!

Snap a photo of your office, lab or clinic ready for the holidays and email to Anna Kiappes by 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19. Please include names and departments as photos will be shared on Baylor's social media accounts. Be sure to follow Baylor on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see the photos!

HR news: Flexible spending deadline

Benefits-eligible employees enrolled in a Healthcare and/or Dependent Care FSA have until Dec. 31 to incur eligible expenses. Any unused balances will be forfeited. All FSA claim forms must be submitted to United Healthcare by March 31, 2023, for any eligible expenses incurred through Dec. 31, 2022. Questions? Email ask-insurance@bcm.edu.

Nominations open for Beaudet mentorship award

The Department of Molecular and Human Genetics is accepting nominations for the Arthur L. Beaudet, M.D. Award for Outstanding Mentorship. The award is open to any outstanding Baylor faculty mentor from any discipline and all academic ranks. Eligible candidates must have demonstrated a sustained career of exemplary mentorship at the graduate, postdoctoral, residency, fellowship or junior faculty level across the educational, clinical and research missions of the College. Deadline for nominations is Dec. 15. Find more information here. Email Laura Rosales at llrosale@bcm.edu with questions.

Events

Sound of Well-Being holiday concert

Join the TMC Orchestra in person in Cullen Auditorium or by Zoom (921613) for a concert Dec. 13 from noon – 1 p.m., presented by the Center for Professionalism and BCM BeWell. Drop by the BCM BeWell Getaway to Good Health challenge celebration in Rayzor Lounge at the same time.

Update on Alzheimer's talk

The 2022 Update on Alzheimer’s Disease lecture will be held Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. as a virtual presentation co-hosted by Baylor and the Alzheimer’s Association Houston & Southeast Texas Chapter. It is free and open to the public. Dr. Melissa Yu, professor and director of the Alzheimer's Disease and Movement Disorders Center at Baylor, will discuss the basics of Alzheimer's disease, including symptoms, diagnosis and current and promising new treatments. Dr. Chi-Ying (Roy) Lin, assistant professor of neurology, will discuss how to navigate the holidays as you live with or care for someone with dementia. To register, click here.

Awards and Recognitions

Lerner honored by urological group

Dr. Seth Lerner, professor of urology and Beth and Dave Swalm Chair in Urologic Oncology, received the Presidential Citation from the American Urological Association for his dedication to clinical trials and studying the genetic foundations of bladder cancer.

Lupo to serve as journal associate editor

Dr. Philip Lupo, professor of pediatrics - hematology and oncology and director of the Epidemiology and Population Sciences Program at Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Center, was recently invited to join the Journal of the National Cancer Institute as an associate editor. During this three-year term, he will provide advice in decisions regarding publication of manuscripts and influence journal policy for one of the most prestigious journals in the field.

Majumder named to national academies committee

Mary Anderlik Majumder, J.D., Ph.D., professor in the Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy, has been named to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Committee Toward Sequencing and Mapping of RNA Modifications. This committee will assess the scientific and technological breakthroughs, workforce and infrastructure needs to sequence and ultimately understand the roles RNA modifications play in biological processes and disease.

Mizwa honored by AIDS Foundation

Mike Mizwa, CEO of the Baylor International Pediatric AIDS Initiative (BIPAI) at Texas Children's Hospital, was honored by the AIDS Foundation Houston with the Shelby Hodge Vision Award at the World AIDS Day Luncheon Dec. 2. The event celebrated the AIDS Foundation Houston's 40 years of service to the community. Mizwa was with AIDS Foundation Houston for 17 years in various roles, including chief executive officer.

Ring to co-chair PCORI advisory panel

Dr. Brandi Ring, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology, was chosen as the 2022-2023 co-chair for the Patient Centered Research Outcomes Institute's advisory panel on healthcare delivery and disparities. PCORI is an independent, nonprofit research organization that seeks to empower patients and others with actionable information about their health and healthcare choices.

Rosen recognized for service to dermatology society

Dr. Ted Rosen, professor of dermatology, was awarded Honorary Lifetime Membership by the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants in recognition of his numerous educational efforts and consistent professional support on behalf of the membership. The award was presented in person at the society's annual meeting in Miami.

Baylor faculty announced as APS members

The American Pediatric Society recently announced 95 new members, including Drs. Sheryl Hughes, Teresia O'Connor, Ricardo Quinonez, Binoy Shivanna and Yong Xu. Members are recognized as child health leaders of extraordinary achievement who work together to shape the future of academic pediatrics. New members will be honored during the Pediatric Academic Societies 2023 Meeting in April.

Faculty in the News

Prolonged, life-threatening seizures are on the rise, especially among minorities. Dr. Gabriela Tantillo discussed this alarming health trend in this U.S. News & World Report article. See this and Baylor's other news media mentions in  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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