NewsLink, May 15, 2020
Please submit items for the weekly NewsLink to Dana Benson.

Archive / BCM Family / BCM News on Twitter

Coronavirus Information

Convenient options for COVID self-screening

As Baylor College of Medicine's response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the health of employees, trainees and students remains the top priority, especially as the number of people returning to campus for work and educational and research activities increases. Symptom screening has been required of all people entering Baylor buildings, and will remain a requirement as recovery expands. To streamline the symptom screening process, the College is introducing an app and website that will allow members of the Baylor community to efficiently self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms and present verification that they are clear of symptoms upon entering a Baylor facility. Telecommuters should also use the web or app options – this will provide a history of symptom tracking that will be helpful as the campus reopens. Download Microsoft "Power Apps" from the Apple App Store or Google Play; view the full instructions for the app and website. Traditional screening will remain for those who cannot access or complete the app and online options.

COVID research newsletter updates

Baylor's infectious diseases team continues to compile weekly newsletter updates of the latest published and pre-print research on COVID-19 from around the world. Each newsletter also includes the latest stats on cases locally and in Texas. Read more.

TMC Library opens

The TMC Library reopened this week at 25% capacity. Library hours are 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday. All visitors should check in at the circulation desk and are required to wear a mask and observe social distancing. Services also will still be available online, including consultations, reviews and literature searches. Librarians are available to assist. Use the TMC Library website to request a virtual meeting and other services.

Awards and Recognitions

Garber honored by AOTF

Susan Garber, MA, OTR, FAOTA, FACRM, professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation, has received the 2020 Meritorious Service Award from the American Occupational Therapy Foundation. The award honors her sustained and exemplary contributions in support of the foundation's mission to support occupational therapy research and increase public understanding of the important relationship between everyday activities and health.

Jankovic ranked top movement disorder expert

Dr. Joseph Jankovic was ranked the No. 1 movement disorders expert in the world by Expertscape, a web-based platform that lists top experts across multiple medical specialties. Jankovic is professor of neurology, Distinguished Chair in Movement Disorders and director of the Parkinson's Disease Center and Movement Disorders Clinic.

O'Malley named AACR fellow

Dr. Bert O'Malley, chancellor and professor of molecular and cellular biology, has been elected to the Fellows of the AACR Academy class of 2020. Fellows of the AACR Academy serve as a global brain trust in the cancer field, helping to advance the mission of the AACR to prevent and cure all cancers.

Zoorob, Kowalchuk earn grant for substance abuse program

Dr. Roger Zoorob, Richard M. Kleberg chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine, and Dr. Alicia Kowalchuk, associated professor, were awarded a five-year, $664,777-per-year grant from the NIH for a research education program, Bringing Alcohol and Other Drug Research to Primary Care. The program will focus on training for full-time primary care providers in their practices and developing practice-based interventions to improve the adoption of alcohol and other substance use research and treatment. A key innovation in this project lies in the department’s multi-component educational approach, which combines face-to-face interactions and online learning opportunities for both alcohol and opioid use disorder screening and treatment within the context of primary care.

BCM Academy at Rusk teacher wins top honor

Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Rusk seventh grade teacher Rebecca Hiatt was named the Houston Independent School District Secondary Teacher of the Year. She is shown here being honored at a surprise home visit. Hiatt teaches Scientific Decision-making, a course developed with Baylor's Center for Educational Outreach. Rusk is one of several HISD schools to partner with Baylor, offering STEM and health sciences-focused education.

Events

May 21: Virtual Commencement

A virtual commencement ceremony will be held Thursday, May 21, at 5:45 p.m. for graduating students in the School of Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and School of Health Professions Genetic Counseling Program. The ceremony will include live remarks from Dr. Paul Klotman and other college leaders and from student representatives. Book mark our live feed and join us for the event. Students are invited to email Anna Kiappes with photos and videos of themselves taken during the virtual event to be posted on the College's social media, website and communications and to post photos on their own social media using #BCMGraduation and #Graduation2020. Don't forget to tag @BCMHouston.

May 27: Health Policy Research Day

Health and Science Policy Virtual Research Day is May 27, 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. via Zoom. Speakers include 20-plus Baylor faculty, a keynote by Princeton's Dr. Keith Wailoo, a special panel with two state legislators and a poster session. It will provide a unique opportunity to hear experts from multiple disciplines highlight current research and discuss some of society's biggest challenges, including gun safety and a case study on COVID-19. Learn more and register!

College News

BCM, Xavier University to build diversity in healthcare

Baylor College of Medicine and Xavier University of Louisiana, a private, Catholic college in New Orleans, have established an initiative that allows qualified Xavier students to participate in a collaborative Medical Track Program that facilitates assured acceptance into BCM’s School of Medicine. This partnership builds on Baylor's environment of inclusiveness and commitment to educating underrepresented minorities in medicine. Read more.

LCME Monthly Newsletter

The School of Medicine's May LCME Newsletter features recent subcommittee work and an overview of Element 9.4 – Assessment System, Element 9.7 – Formative Assessment & Feedback and Element 9.8 – Fair & Timely Summative Assessment. The newsletter contains pertinent policies and procedures. Read the May newsletter.

Compliance training starts Monday!

The FY2020 Annual Compliance Education will start Monday, May 18, 2020 for all BCM employees and will run through June 30. This required education focuses on the College's Code of Conduct and our responsibilities, individually and collectively, to be accountable for our conduct and compliance with laws, regulations and BCM policies. The education will be available through BCM’s online learning system, SuccessFactors.

HR news: College admissions and financial guidance

Benefits-eligible employees have access to great resources from Bright Horizons to help them plan for college admissions and financing for dependents. Resources include two upcoming webinars, plus one-on-one assistance. Learn all the details.

Faculty in the News

Baylor experts continue to lead the way in keeping the public informed about COVID-19 through the media. Read the coverage 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.

Follow BCM