News for BCM Faculty, July 22, 2021
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College News

Space Health Institute Awards Postdoctoral Fellowships: The Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH) at Baylor College of Medicine has selected four outstanding early career scientists to receive its postdoctoral fellowship award to further their career in space health. Each awardee will undertake a two-year project that addresses challenges to astronaut health during deep space exploration missions. The fellows become part of the TRISH Academy of Bioastronautics, a virtual, interactive forum for postdoctoral researchers working on TRISH research projects. Read more.

Academic Council: President Paul Klotman, Dr. McDeavitt and Dr. Hotez provided a COVID update, noting that the delta variant is the dominate strain of virus in the U.S. Low vaccination rates coupled with high delta cases are a concern in some states as well as some counties in Texas, and TMC statistics have been “problematic” of late.

• Executive Vice President James McDeavitt discussed a new process being established to understand and align Texas Children’s Hospital clinical strategies and ensure appropriate interinstitutional collaboration with BCM. TCH will direct new requests to BCM for a review and vetting process with final review and decision making by both institutions.
• Cheryl Walker, Ph.D., discussed the Faculty External Recognition Committee, or FERC, which she leads, established to promote and provide support for external recognition of the achievements of Baylor faculty members through awards from organizations and programs outside of BCM.
• Carolyn Smith, Ph.D., discussed a proposal to expand the time-off benefits for research postdocs so that BCM can remain competitive with peer institutions in attracting postdocs.
• John Wolf, M.D., announced that he will retire as chair of the Department of Dermatology in July 2022. Dr. Wolf has been at Baylor 48 years, 40 as department chair. He noted that he was the youngest chair when he was appointed and is now the oldest department chair at BCM.
  
  

Faculty Kudos

Dr. Sara Andrabi, assistant program director for the Emergency Medicine Residency program, has been awarded the American Association of Women Emergency Physicians (AAWEP), Rising Star Award.

College Events
Hematology and Medical Oncology Presentation: “Cell Extrinsic mechanisms of FLT3 inhibitor resistance,” is the topic of a presentation by Dr. Elie Traer, associate professor at the Center for Hematologic Malignancies in the OHSU Knight Cancer Center Institute. The presentation will be via Zoom, Monday Aug. 9, at 12:30 p.m. Meeting ID: 387 923 767, password: 831342.

Faculty Opportunities

Request for Applications Faculty Pilot Grants
Baylor College of Medicine, with the support of the Huffington Foundation, is announcing the availability of pilot grant funding for BCM faculty members engaged in educational research or program development and evaluation. Education, Innovation and Technology (EIT) Faculty Pilot Grants will provide funding of up to $50,00 per project for up to a two-year duration. Learn more. Contact Maria Lopez for additional questions. The deadline to apply is Aug. 2.

Call for Abstracts: The Academy of Distinguished Educators hosts a virtual annual Showcase of Educational Scholarship Sept. 17. Faculty, staff and learners are invited to submit an abstract for presentation as a virtual poster display by Aug. 2. Areas of interest include content development, instructional design/delivery, learner assessment and educational leadership.

Call for Nominations: Nominate an outstanding BCM Physician Assistant Program alumnus or BCM Physician Assistant for the Carl E. Fasser Visionary Leadership Award. This award recognizes those PA professionals who demonstrate leadership in research, education, clinical practice, administrative and/or service. This award was established in honor of Carl Fasser for his sustained demonstration of visionary leadership toward the physician assistant profession. The deadline for nominations is July 30. See more information.

Baruch A Brody Lecture in Bioethics: Nominations are now being accepted for the 2021-2022 Baruch A. Brody Award & Lecture in Bioethics. This award, a $10,000 named lectureship in Baruch Brody's honor, will recognize junior and mid-level scholars who have made important theoretical contributions to the field of bioethics. The awardee will embody the values and virtues that were central to Brody's scholarly life and work. Learn more. Deadline is July 30.

Faculty mentors sought for first-gen students: The BCM student interest group FirstGen, M.D. seeks faculty members to serve as mentors to medical students who are the first in their family to attend medical school. Any interested faculty members, and particularly those who were first-generation medical students themselves, should complete this form for participation in the program for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Request for applications for 2-year T32 fellowship in cardiovascular research (2022-24): Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery T32 research training program in Cardiovascular surgery is open for application. Ideal candidates are M.D.s and Ph.D.s interested in cardiovascular research. Learn more about training curriculum, training tracks, faculty mentors list, stipend, and eligibility criteria. To apply, email coordinator Alicia Wang.

Faculty Resources

Appointments available at new employee healthcare clinic: Scheduling is now available by calling 832-548-9775 for the new dedicated healthcare clinic for Baylor employees and their dependents covered by a BCM medical plan. The clinic opened Wednesday, July 14, in suite 1225 at Baylor Clinic. A collaboration of Baylor Medicine and Vera Whole Health, it offers personalized primary care, chronic disease management and acute medical care with no or low fees. Look for a welcome packet with more information in the mail.

Questions or Comments?

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Institutional Policy Committee: Contact the Policy Committee to learn more about College policies and procedures.

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