NewsLink, June 25, 2021
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Coronavirus Information

Media series explores pandemic response

In "Tested: Houston's Response to COVID-19," Baylor faculty and others at our partner hospital, Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center, discuss the impact of the pandemic as they work on the frontlines. View the six-episode series, produced by Houston Public Media in partnership with St. Luke's Health.

Join narrative writing class on COVID impact

Join a free, six-week Reflective Writing Workshop: Chronicling Caregiving & COVID, July 26 – Aug. 30, 7 – 8:30 p.m. by Zoom, sponsored by the Narrative Medicine Program in Baylor's Center for Medical Ethics and Inprint Houston. Led by a local writer, participants will write a narrative to be included in a podcast chronicling how our community provided care during COVID. Learn more and register.

Awards and Recognitions

Balaji honored for wound healing research

Dr. Swathi Balaji, assistant professor of surgery, is the inaugural recipient of the H. Paul Ehrlich Rising Star in Wound Healing Award, presented by the Wound Healing Foundation. The award is given annually to a recipient who shows leadership potential in the avenue of wound healing research. Read more about her work.

Porea earns award for resident training

Dr. Tim Porea, associate professor of pediatrics - hematology/oncology, received the inaugural Dr. Drutz Society Coach Award, named after Dr. Jan Drutz, professor of pediatrics. Porea received this award to highlight the significant impact he has made in training pediatric residents as an advisor for one of the Baylor pediatric residency societies. In this role he helps to mentor a group of 25 residents, offering guidance in both clinical and career areas.

Ratnapriya awarded for ophthalmology research

Dr. Rinki Ratnapriya, instructor in the Department of Ophthalmology, has received a Career Development Award from Research to Prevent Blindness. The four-year, $350,000 award will support her work, which focuses on age-related macular degeneration.

Events

Call for Abstracts: Educational Showcase

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 poster display by Aug. 2. Areas of interest include content development, instructional design/delivery, learner assessment and educational leadership. Learn more.

College News

School of Health Professions milestones

Welcome to our newest students in the School of Health Professions! Starting their training this week were 39 students in the Physician Assistant Program and 24 in the Orthotics & Prosthetics Program. In other health professions news, the O&P Class of 2022 received their white coats in a ceremony last Friday. This marks the start of their clinical training.

IT news: New intranet, InTouch

Reminder that InTouch, the new BCM intranet, will launch July 9. In preparation for this, a freeze on updating content on the current intranet will be in place June 30 – July 7. InTouch will offer integrated technologies, applications, data, tools and collaboration features, along with easy-to-use organization and navigation. This new digital solution will enable faculty, staff and learners to collaborate, communicate and connect regardless of their location.

Annual compliance education coming soon

The FY22 annual compliance education will be assigned in SuccessFactors to all BCM students and paid employees, including residents, on July 12. This year's topic focuses on BCM's dedication to non-retaliation for good faith reporting. Keep an eye out for further communications regarding this important education initiative.

HR news: Ayco benefits

All benefits-eligible employees have access to Ayco's new digital platform with customized support, expanded resources, and advanced tools to guide you along your journey towards financial wellness. Learn more. Questions? Email ask-retirement@bcm.edu.

Faculty in the News

Dr. Robert Atmar was interviewed by CBS national news about the COVID vaccine booster trial that is underway. Check out all of 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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