NewsLink, July 10, 2020
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Coronavirus Information

Short-term housing option

The College has secured a limited number of rooms through the end of July at the TMC Marriott as a short-term housing option free of charge for Baylor faculty and staff in critical patient care roles at Baylor Medicine and our affiliates. The short-term option at the TMC Marriott hotel is designed for those who require lodging for a single night, such as when they are experiencing exhaustion after completing a hospital shift. To request lodging, fill out the TMC Hotel Request Form.

Masks in action!

We know that Baylor faculty, staff and learners are modeling healthy behaviors by staying home as much as possible, practicing good hand hygiene and wearing masks when out in public for important errands and food pick-up. Take a look at some of our role models in action in this photo gallery. Submit your photos to Anna Kiappes.

Awards and Recognitions

Chao earns young investigator award

Dr. Hsiao-Tuan Chao, assistant professor of pediatrics and molecular and human genetics and a McNair Scholar, has been honored with the Philip R. Dodge Young Investigator Award by the Child Neurology Society for her promising translational research in neurodevelopmental disorders like intellectual disability, epilepsy and autism. She will present the Dodge Lecture at the CNS-ICNA Conjoint Meeting in October.

Lubega to serve on healthcare safety committee

Dr. Joseph Lubega, assistant professor of pediatrics - hematology and oncology, has been selected to serve on the U.S. Pharmacopeia Healthcare Safety & Quality Expert Committee from 2020 – 2025. Lubega plans to focus on issues relating to appropriateness, safety and access to pharmaceutical products for children in the U.S. and around the world.

Riconda named to accreditation council

Daniel Riconda, C.G.C., director of the Genetic Counseling Program in Baylor's School of Health Professions, has been appointed to a four-year term on the Standards Committee of the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling. Committee membership consists of five to seven leaders in genetic counseling education across the U.S. and Canada. This committee is charged to review and recommend changes to the Standards of Accreditation for Graduate Programs in Genetic Counseling.

Rolle selected for fellowship program

Tiffany Rolle, graduate student in the molecular and human genetics program in the lab of Dr. Mary Dickinson, has been selected for a prestigious science education and engagement fellowship that supports an early career geneticist, sponsored by the American Society of Human Genetics and the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). The fellowship is designed for individuals interested in developing and implementing genetic and genomic literacy for K-12, undergraduate, postgraduate and professional audiences. She will begin the fellowship this fall at the NHGRI.

Events

July 14: Blood drive

There's another opportunity to Commit to Life at the blood drive for the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, Tuesday, July 14, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the Baylor Gym, 8th floor of Garage 6. Due to social distancing requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic, appointments are required. Schedule online or call Lauren Warren at 713-798-7968. Donors will have a COVID-19 and antibody test, and get a free beach towel!

July 15: Anti-racism educational series

"So You Think You Can be Anti-Racist," a five-part series on systemic racism and injustice, will launch Wednesday, July 15, 6 – 7 p.m., with "So You Think You're an Ally? Learning How to Be Better." Sponsors of this collaborative series include the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences LGBT Student Alliance, the Student National Medical Association, Black Scientist Collective, and other groups. Register here.

College News

Call for educational scholarship abstracts

The Academy of Distinguished Educators invites abstract submissions of educational scholarship projects to showcase at the Annual Showcase of Educational Scholarship, being held virtually this year on Sept. 18. Submissions due by Aug. 3. See the academy's website for guidelines.

Journal club on social determinants of health launching

The Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy and the Office of Institutional Diversity, Inclusion and Equity will be launching a new journal club on social determinants of health, medicine and ethics. It aims to bring together faculty, staff, students and trainees across BCM to discuss issues related to health disparities, inform our research and teaching, and explore opportunities for collaboration. The club will meet bi-monthly; participants should attend in at least 75% of sessions and lead at least one. If interested, email Dr. Hadley Stevens Smith.

HR News: Virtual counseling through EAP

The Employee Assistance Program is now offering confidential telephonic and video counseling sessions for those unable to attend in-person sessions due to COVID-19. Visit the EAP website for more information. Email ask-worklife@bcm.edu with questions.

BeWell News: Fruit and veggie delivery

Are you in the market for fresh fruits and veggies? BCM BeWell has partnered with Johnson's Backyard Garden to offer a community supported agriculture worksite delivery program! Pickup is on Wednesdays at O'Quinn Tower. Learn more about what's available and other delivery options, then sign up! For more information, email wellness@bcm.edu.

TMC Library news

The TMC Library is currently closed and will reopen on Monday, July 20, with new hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition, the entrance will relocate to front of the building on John Freeman Blvd. from the west side by Webber Plaza. All library services will continue to be offered virtually.

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.

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