|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Space Medicine Takes Medical Education Across New Frontiersby Dipali Pathak 
Dr. Jeffrey Sutton To become an astronaut, one must go through years of intense training and meet a variety of physical and health requirements. Only those in top physical condition make it through the program. However, the number of health problems that can occur in these exceptionally healthy astronauts is still significant, especially when they are exposed to harsh and largely unknown environments and situations. Anticipating and preparing for such situations falls to space medicine experts. The Center for Space Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, established in 2008, serves as a resource for NASA on health in space and as an educational tool for medical students interested in pursuing the field of space medicine. "Because Houston is known for both human space exploration and the Texas Medical Center, it's only fitting that the two join together to advance space medicine," said Dr. Jeffrey Sutton, director of the Center for Space Medicine. "Space medicine cuts across multiple disciplines. This includes internal medicine, emergency medicine, surgery, orthopedics and many more." The center has a strategic collaboration with the National Space Biomedical Research Institute, a research consortium focused on countermeasures to healthrelated challenges in space exploration and based at BCM. The center provides an academic home for those with talent and knowledge for research in space medicine. The mission is to be a world academic leader in space biomedical research and education and to translate the advances gained in knowledge and technology to benefit life on Earth. A multidisciplinary enterpriseCollaboration is a central theme in the center, according to Sutton. "Space medicine cuts across multiple disciplines," said Sutton. "This includes internal medicine, emergency medicine, surgery, orthopedics and many more." The center is working on establishing a consolidated research facility that would support testing and evaluation of medical treatments and technologies being developed by the National Space Biomedical Research Institute. Educational effortsA part of the center's educational initiative includes the Human Space Exploration and Medicine elective for first and secondyear medical students at BCM. The elective exposes medical students to new knowledge and advances in biomedical science and health care for human space exploration and the positive impacts for life on Earth. Lecturers include astronauts, flight surgeons, leading physicians and scientists. Sutton hopes that speakers will inspire and encourage students to think boldly about what is possible, and about ways science and technology interface with human performance and medical care.
Alex Garbino has always been interested in space exploration. That's why he came to the University of Houston from Switzerland, and then decided to enter the competitive M.D./Ph.D. program at BCM. He hopes to pursue his interest in space medicine through his residency and eventually in orbit. "The space medicine track is a novel concept.It does not exist anywhere else," said Garbino. "Baylor has access to the top people in the field." According to Dr. Leroy Chiao, a former NASA Astronaut and chair of the National Space Biomedical Research Institute's user panel, there is still much to be done in this small but important branch of medicine. "There are a lot of space biomedicine problems that we have to solve as we push out further and explore beyond lower earth orbit" said Chiao. "It makes sense to have the Center for Space Medicine here because we've got access to NASA and all of its resources and access to all of the resources in the medical center." |
FeaturesThe Future of Health Care Starts at Med High Emergency Medicine: The Art of Juggling A Quarter Century of Invention at Baylor College of Medicine "Passport" Gives Childhood Cancer Survivors Entry into Adult Healthcare Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center Educates Through Entertainment Getting to the Roots of Cancer NewsDr. Paul Klotman: BCM's New Top Man Dan Duncan Leaves Solid Foundation for BCM's Research Future DeBakey Library & Museum Showcases Innovations of Pioneering Heart Surgeon SpotlightBIPAI Doctor Seeks to Serve in Africa Space Medicine Takes Medical Education Across New Frontiers Quest for a Gene Opens New Door in Personalized Medicine BriefsOut of This World Science Experiment Generates International Interest Predicting the Progression of Alzheimer's Disease Pool to Receive Academic Clinical Professionalism Award The Pea Aphid and the Wasp Genome Development/AlumniBelieve in BCM Campaign Engages Campus Development BriefsNational Osteoporosis Foundation Honors Lawrences DeBakey Heart Center of BCM Benefits from Partnership Event Pink Ribbon House Project Celebrates Success Awards and Honor Wall Highlight Alumni Reunion 2010 The Road Ahead Promises Continued Success
|
||
Volume 6, Issue 1, Summer 2010 |
|||
 |
|
BCM Home | BCM Intranet | Privacy Notices | Contact BCM | BCM Site Map © 2005-2010 Baylor College of Medicine® |
|
| Last modified: August 11, 2010 |
More than 50 firstyear medical students took part in the first elective or course on space medicine. A space medicine track is a longterm goal of the center and would be the first of its kind in the country.