NewsLink, Oct. 8, 2021
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Coronavirus and Flu Information

Flu shots and attestation

Baylor faculty, staff, students and trainees are required by College policy to get an annual flu vaccine and submit attestation of vaccination by Nov. 30. The Occupational Health Program is offering flu vaccinations at locations around campus. Use the Baylor Flu Vaccine App to schedule your shot and to complete attestation. You also may receive your flu shot from a local pharmacy, clinic or your healthcare provider. Find more information on the OHP website.

Awards and Recognitions

Anders receives Fasser Award

Janie Anders, PA-C, assistant professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine, is the 2021 recipient of the Carl E. Fasser Visionary Leadership Award. Named for the longtime director of the Physician Assistant Program at Baylor, the award recognizes excellence by a physician assistant in education, research, clinical practice and service. Anders provides care at Casa de Amigos Health Center, an affiliated Harris Health clinic.

DeBakey Research Award recipients

The 2021 recipients of the Michael E. DeBakey Award for Excellence in Research are Drs. Benjamin Deneen, Hana El Sahly, Fasiha Kanwal, Nuo Li and Zheng Sun. The award recognizes outstanding published scientific contributions to clinical and basic science research over a three-year period. Read more about the winners.

Demmler Harrison to be honored as 'CMV Champion'

Dr. Gail Demmler Harrison, professor of pediatrics, will be honored with the CMV Champion Award at the annual Step CMV Charity Golf Tournament, Monday, Oct. 13, in Houston. Congenital Cytomegalovirus, or CMV, is a common viral infection and the leading non-genetic cause of hearing loss in infants in the U.S. Join the tournament or donate online.

Welcome, Dr. Gordon

Dr. Catherine Gordon has joined Baylor and Texas Children's Hospital as chair of the Department of Pediatrics and pediatrician-in-chief, the first woman to hold this role at the institutions. An expert in adolescent bone health, Gordon joins Baylor from Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital. Read more about her.

Kuy highlighted during Points of Lights Awards

Dr. SreyRam Kuy, assistant professor of surgery who practices at the DeBakey VA, was selected as one of 10 individuals featured as "Inspiration Spotlights" during the George H.W. Bush Points of Light Awards. Read more in the Houston Chronicle.

Magoulas receives genetic counseling award

Pilar Magoulas, genetic counselor and associate professor of molecular and human genetics, won the 2021 Heart of Genetic Counseling Award, presented by the National Society of Genetic Counselors and Invitae. The award pays tribute to distinguished genetic counselors who provide exceptional and irreplaceable care to families dealing with major health challenges. Read more about her.

Park earns genetics fellowship

Dr. Junhyoung Park, instructor and member of the lab of Dr. Benny Kaipparettu, has received the 2021 Shan and Lee Jun Wong Endowed Fellowship in Genetics. This $30,000 fellowship is awarded by the Department of Molecular and Human Genetics.

Educational Scholarship poster finalists

The Academy of Distinguished Educators' Annual Showcase of Educational Scholarship was held virtually last month. More than 30 posters were presented; four were selected as finalists. View the posters in Voice Thread:

• Faculty/Staff category: "STEM+M Readiness through an Academic Coaching Ecosystem Model for Metacognition Development: Success, Lessons Learned and Theory of Action" by Dr. Beatriz Perez-Sweeney, Dr. Alana Newell and Aisha DesLandes; and "Holistic Admissions: Becoming Part of the Whole Picture" by Elissa Love, PA-C, Kathleen Thompson, PA-C and Elizabeth Elliott.
• Trainee category: "Implementation of a Virtual Skin Cancer and Melanoma Education Program in Middle and High Schools in Texas" by Dina Zamil, Shangyi Fu, Dr. Emily Powell, Dr. Zeena Nawas and Dr. Ida Orengo; and "Provider Education on Public Benefits for U.S. Citizen Children in Immigrant Families" by Mariana Carretero-Murillo, Callie Fisher, Shayan Bhathena, Adam Floyd, Lorin Crear, Yesenya Gonzalez, Erica Valdez, Maria Vigil-Mallete, Victoria Xie and Dr. Anjali Aggarwal.

Events

Open Enrollment

The virtual 2022 Open Enrollment period is happening now and will end Oct. 18.  Open Enrollment information currently is available online and was mailed to your permanent mailing address. More info needed? Email ask-insurance@bcm.edu or call 713-798-1500.

• Join virtually the 2022 Open Enrollment Meeting to talk directly with the Human Resource - Benefits office staff.
• Schedule a 30-minute virtual or in-person consultation with a Benefits Representative.
• Eligible employees will earn 150 BCM BeWell points for attending a virtual benefits meeting (maximum 150 points).

Virtual Bioethics Grand Rounds

Bioethics Grand Rounds continues Wednesday, Oct. 13, 5 p.m., on "Providing Holistic Care for Patients Experiencing Homelessness: Ethical and Psychosocial Concerns" with Dr. Dahdrian Duncan, director of behavioral health services at Healthcare for the Homeless – Houston; Dr. Joslyn Fisher, associate professor of medicine and medical ethics at Baylor; and Mary Ellen McEvoy, R.N., M.P.H, director of clinical operations at Healthcare for the Homeless – Houston. Sponsored by Baylor's Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy and Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center. Access by Zoom, or dial 713-903-7277 and enter Event ID:  YEVHAT

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month webinar

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and Baylor is hosting a Zoom webinar on ransomware on Oct. 13 from noon to 1 p.m. Jeff Pounds, Baylor's information security officer, will review recent attacks targeting healthcare organizations and educational institutions and provide tips on how to mitigate against this threat. Click here to register for this event. Eligible participants will receive 50 BCM BeWell points. This event will be recorded.

Hispanic Heritage talk by AAMC diversity officer

Baylor is marking Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15 – Oct. 15, with a virtual talk by Dr. David Acosta, chief diversity and inclusion officer with the Association of American Medical Colleges, on Oct. 14 from noon – 1 p.m. He will speak on "Latinx Identity and the Power of Latinx Leadership." Register here.

Autism webinar: Collaborating with schools

The SPARK for Autism program at Baylor and Texas Children's will host a Genetics 101 webinar on Friday, Oct. 15, from noon – 1:30 p.m., on what parents of children with autism need to know about collaborating with their child's school. Register online.

Support the BCM Teen Health Clinic by eating at Raising Cane's

Stop by any Houston-area Raising Cane's on Thursday, Oct. 14 and mention you're there for the BCM Teen Health Clinic fundraiser at the register, and Cane's will donate 15% of sales to our clinics.

College News

PA Week

National PA Week is being celebrated Oct. 6 – 12. Thank you to all of Baylor's physician assistants and PA Program faculty and leadership for their commitment to patient care and education.

Voluntary Demographics on Success Factors

SuccessFactors users can now select several new demographic options, including their preferred pronoun, gender identity, and sexual orientation, along with enhanced disability categories. This is completely optional, and only the pronoun information will be viewable by all; the others only will be accessible by the employee and Human Resources. Read more about this on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion website.

Faculty in the News

Dr. Robert Waterland was interviewed by The Scientist and Live Science about a recent study on the epigenetics of twin DNA. Plus, in COVID news, Baylor experts suggest the situation may be improving locally. 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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