NewsLink, March 26, 2021
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Coronavirus Information

Vaccine eligibility

The State of Texas has updated its COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to all adults, effective Monday, March 29. Baylor continues to vaccinate its employees and learners through the BCM Vaccine Clinic as doses are available. For those who have not already done so, please complete the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility survey. You will receive an email directed specifically to you to initiate the scheduling process. If you have already received your vaccine at BCM or elsewhere, please use the survey to submit your vaccination record. To date, 63% of the BCM community has been vaccinated!

Where are we now?

A full year into the pandemic, Baylor experts weigh in on where we stand with vaccinations, variants, getting our lives back to 'normal' and more. Read their insight on the Momentum blog.

Awards and Recognitions

Ordonez to lead EM diversity academy

Dr. Edgardo Ordonez, assistant professor of emergency medicine, was named president-elect of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Academy for Diversity and Inclusion in EM. He will serve as a leader in their executive committee for the next three years.

Faculty named to NCI working groups

Three Texas Children's Cancer Center faculty members were invited to participate on NCI Childhood Cancer Data Initiative Working Groups: Dr. Donald W. "Will" Parsons is on the Molecular Characterization Protocol Working Group, Dr. Monica Gramatges is on the Childhood Cancer Cohort Working Group and Dr. Philip Lupo is on the Engagement Committee. The goal of the initiative is to build a community of pediatric cancer researchers, advocates, families, hospitals and networks committed to sharing data to improve treatments, quality of life and survivorship of every child with cancer.

Events

20th annual GI course

The 20th annual GI & Liver Course, "Managing & Avoiding Complications," is this weekend, March 27 – 28. Baylor and guest experts will provide updates on current and emerging care and treatment options. Open to primary care and specialist physicians, APPs and trainees. Presented by the Department of Medicine Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology; CME credit available. Register here.

Women's History Month keynote & awards

Register to attend the virtual event to mark Women's History Month on March 30, noon – 1:30 p.m., including a keynote address and announcement of Women of Excellence Award winners.

Blood drive

BCM will host a Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center blood drive on Tuesday, April 6, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the BCM Gym, 8th floor of garage 6. Appointments are required. Donors will receive a free T-shirt and COVID antibody testing.

Save the date: Alumni Reunion 2021

Alumni, former trainees, faculty and staff are invited to the virtual Alumni Reunion, April 22 – 23. The event will offer College updates; sessions on COVID and other clinical, educational and research topics, some with CME credit; student presentations; and more. Register online.

Abstracts open for Health & Science Policy event

Join BCM's Health & Science Policy Research Day virtually on May 4 for a look at how the pandemic has impacted healthcare partnerships and what lies ahead. It will include a keynote talk with Adm. Brett Giroir, M.D., former assistant secretary for the U.S. Health and Human Services, and Dr. James McDeavitt as well as panels with thought leaders from Baylor and collaborating institutions. You can also share scholarly work at the virtual poster session. Abstracts due April 7; learn more.

College News

Match Day!

Fourth-year medical students celebrated Match Day last Friday at a small, in-person camps event. See highlights in this BCM Family story.

Salute to Nurses nominations

Nominate a Baylor nurse to be honored in the Houston Chronicle's annual Salute to Nurses section that will be published during National Nurses Week in May. Nominations due by April 2.

HR news: Vitality Health Reviews

BeWell participants, have you completed your Vitality Health Reviews yet? These confidential online questionnaires can help assess your current health and when completed within 90 days of the start of the program year, can earn you extra BeWell Vitality Points. Log in to the wellness portal to complete. Questions? Email wellness@bcm.edu.

IT news: Microsoft Teams training

Microsoft has announced that it will retire Skype for Business on July 31 and replace with Microsoft Teams. Teams combines chat rooms, video/voice, file sharing, meetings and other features into one application. The Office of Information Technology will host training sessions on Microsoft Teams on April 7 – 8; register online.

Faculty in the News

Check out Baylor's 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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