NewsLink, May 5, 2017
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Awards and Recognitions

Bush elected as a surgical fellow

Dr. Ruth Bush, professor of medicine and of surgery and deputy director of the Health Services Research and Development Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, was elected as a Fellow of the American Surgical Association at the group's annual business meeting in Philadelphia this month. Fellows of the ASA, the nation's oldest surgical organization, exhibit strong academic credentials, are recognized national leaders in their field and conduct themselves with the highest ethical and professional standards.

Chao earns neurology research award

Dr. Hsiao-Tuan Chao, a medical resident in pediatric neurology and a physician-scientist at the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute in the laboratory of Dr. Hugo J. Bellen, was honored by the American Academy of Neurology as the inaugural recipient of the Neurology Research Training Scholarship for her research studies on the transcriptional and neural circuit mechanisms underlying complex childhood neurologic diseases. The American Academy of Neurology awarded nearly $3 million toward neuroscience research and training in 2017. She and other recipients were recognized at the American Academy of Neurology's 69th Annual Meeting in Boston last week.

Pool honored at Men of Distinction luncheon

Dr. James Pool, professor of medicine, was honored at the 2017 Men of Distinction luncheon, held May 3 at the River Oaks Country Club. The annual awards program recognizes Houston men who have distinguished themselves in research, education and patient care in the Texas Medical Center, directly benefiting the Houston community. In addition, the program provides unrestricted funds to projects that are focused on research, treatment, education and patient care for children in the TMC.

Young investigators honored for immunotherapy research

Two Baylor researchers were awarded for their work at the third annual Young Immuno-oncology Investigators Forum, held earlier this month in Houston. Dr. Giedre Krenciute, a postdoctoral fellow in pediatrics – hematology/oncology, earned first place in the junior faculty division for her abstract, and Dr. Max Mamonkin, instructor in pediatrics – hematology/oncology, earned second place in the senior fellow section. Both conduct research on T cell therapy to treat cancer and are part of the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy.

Events

Compassionate Conversation May 10

The Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion and the Department of Medicine's Internal Medicine Diversity Council invite the Baylor community to attend a Compassionate Conversation Wednesday, May 10, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in room N315. The event will include a screening of Ava DuVernay's documentary "13th," which refers to the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and explores the current state of race, justice and mass incarceration in the United States, followed by a panel discussion with invited guest speakers and a Q&A session. Dinner will be provided. To RSVP, email institutionaldiversity@bcm.edu.

Food for Finals for students May 11

The Partnership for Baylor College of Medicine, the College's largest volunteer civic and philanthropic organization, hosts the second annual Food for Finals for Baylor students on Thursday, May 11, from 5 to 7 p.m. in Rayzor Lounge. The first 200 students will be served at this free event.

Professionalism talks May 11

The Center for Professionalism in Medicine welcomes Dr. Richard Frankel, professor of medicine and geriatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine whose work focuses on clinician-patient communication, for two talks on Thursday, May 11. His talk at noon in Kleberg Auditorium is on "Empathy? Really? Who Cares When I Only Have Eight Minutes to See My Patients" and includes lunch. At 4 p.m. in McMillian Auditorium he will speak on "We Are What We Repeatedly Do: Four Communication Habits of Highly Effective Physicians" with a reception following. RSVP to professionalismmatters@bcm.edu.

Bike to work day May 12

The TMC is celebrating Bike Month in May by partnering with BikeHouston for Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 12. Group rides from various neighborhoods will cycle to work. Ride leaders will demonstrate how to safely commute by bike, and a support station with food, drinks and prizes will be set up outside Garage 15 6550 Bertner Ave. View the route map and register.

Great Strides 5K

The Baylor Adult CF Center team is walking in support of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at 7 a.m. Saturday, May 13, at the Houston Zoo. Make a gift or join the walk.

College News

Presenters needed for eighth grade career day

Baylor faculty, staff and students are invited to participate in Career Day at the Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan Tuesday, May 23, from noon to 4 p.m. Eighth grade students at the Academy at Ryan will learn about a variety of STEM and healthcare careers. Individuals or groups are needed to conduct 15-minute presentations at a career booth, or 45-minute classroom presentations and activities. Presenters are expected to stay for the full event, however groups may divide the day between members. Register online or for more information, email Beatriz Perez-Sweeney at perezswe@bcm.edu.

Blood drive success!

The CHI Baylor St. Luke's blood drive held at Baylor May 2 was a success with 43 whole blood donors. When those blood units are separated into three different components (red cells, platelets and plasma), it means that 129 patient lives were extended or saved by these generous donors! This was one of the most successful blood drives at Baylor to date. Students who donated were entered into a drawing for a certificate for Southwest Airlines and dinner with Dr. Paul Klotman, and employees were entered into a drawing for TMC garage parking. Mark your calendars for the next blood drive on June 27 at main Baylor!

Participants sought for two studies of children with autism

- A study comparing the bacteria and small molecules in the stomachs of children is seeking children with autism who experience stomach pain and those who do not, siblings of children with autism and children without autism with and without stomach pain. The study involves questionnaires, diet, pain and stool diaries, stool collection and a cheek swab.
- A study observing the effects of antibiotics in children with autism spectrum disorder seeks children with and without autism spectrum disorder and their siblings with and without ASD. The study involves questionnaires, diet, pain and stool diaries and stool collection.
Both studies seek children ages 2 to 17 years, last two weeks and are not painful. For more information or to join, contact Ruth Ann Luna at raluna@bcm.edu or Michelle Rubio-Gonzales at rubiogon@bcm.edu or 832-824-3342.

Strive to work well

The BCM BeWell program promotes a healthy work-life balance as part of overall well-being. To help achieve this balance, consider taking advantage of benefits offered through human resources that allow you to both focus on work and manage personal life responsibilities, such as backup child care, preferred admission to the Montessori School of Downtown, financial consulting, tuition assistance and more. For more information, visit the Work-Life Benefits intranet page or email ask-worklife@bcm.edu.

Faculty in the News

Dr. James Bray talks about the series "13 Reasons Why" in USA Today. Check out these and other media mentions in this week's Faculty in the News. Interested in science news? Read the latest in From the Labs.

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