NewsLink, May 1, 2015
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Archive / BCM Family / You FIRST

Awards and Recognitions

Hoxhaj named TCEP president

Dr. Shkelzen Hoxhaj, associate professor of medicine and chief of the section of emergency medicine, was elected to serve as president of the Texas College of Emergency Physicians at the TCEP Annual Meeting, held in Austin April 23-26. The TCEP includes more than 2,000 emergency physicians in the state who work together to further the specialty of emergency medicine in Texas.

Lipshultz earns urology excellence award

Dr. Larry Lipshultz, professor of urology, received the 2015 American Medical Systems F. Brantley Scott Award of Excellence and will be honored May 16 in New Orleans. The AMS established the F. Brantley Scott Physician Academy and award in 2010 to recognize the urological contributions of Dr. Scott, a former Baylor professor, and to further his legacy through physician education and training for urologists around the world.

Rivera honored in Latin America

Dr. Victor Rivera, Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Neurology and founding director of the Maxine Mesinger MS Clinic, was honored as an exceptional academic leader by the Biotechnology and Health Division of the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, Campus Guadalajara, Mexico, one of the largest universities in Latin America. As part of the recognition, he lectured on “The Impact of MS in the Americas.”

Sikora speaks at translational research meeting

Dr. Andrew Sikora, assistant professor of otolaryngology – head and neck surgery, was an invited speaker for the annual American Head and Neck Society Translational Research Meeting in Boston. He spoke about the effects of chemoradiotherapy on peripheral anti-tumor immunity in HPV-positive head and neck cancer patients. Sikora’s lab and research group focuses on understanding how cancer and cancer therapies interact with the immune system.

Events

World Voice Day collaborative event May 2

World Voice Day will be celebrated on Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to noon at an event at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. Join experts from Baylor’s otolaryngology department, Rice, the Texas Voice Center and the Houston Grand Opera, along with mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton and tenor Simon O'Neill, for this unique, multidisciplinary and interactive discussion about vocal health and pathology and for a special master demonstration featuring the two artists. The event is open to the public. World Voice Day celebrates singing and the human voice and raises awareness of issues in vocal health, vocal pathology and the performing voice. Learn more on the Baylor blog about how your voice can be an indicator of overall health.

DeBakey research awards symposium May 6

The Baylor community is invited to attend this year’s event honoring the recipients of the Michael E. DeBakey, M.D., Excellence in Research Awards, Wednesday, May 6, from 2 to 4 p.m. in DeBakey M112. A reception will follow. The awards recognize faculty members who have made the most significant published scientific contribution to clinical or basic biomedical research during the past three years. This year’s awardees are Dr. Kjersti Aagaard, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology; Dr. Benjamin Deneen, associate professor of neuroscience; Dr. Farrah Kheradmand, professor of medicine – pulmonary; Dr. Oliver Lichtarge, professor of molecular and human genetics; and Dr. Li Xin, associate professor of molecular and cellular biology.

Bike to Work event

May is Bike to Work Month in Houston. BikeHouston is hosting a group ride and Bike to Work Day in the Texas Medical Center on Friday, May 8, from 7 to 9 a.m. There will be ride leaders and support stations to help you get to BCM on your bicycle. RSVP to ride in with a group leaving from your neighborhood and get more details on the BikeHouston events calendar. With questions, contact BCM Recycling and Sustainability Coordinator Allison Carr at allison.carr@bcm.edu or (713) 798-1051.

National ECMO Conference

Baylor, in conjunction with Texas Children’s Hospital, will host the 25th Annual Specialist Education in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (SEECMO) Conference May 15 – 17 at the Bioscience Research Collaborative. Innovative topics in the fields of neonatal, pediatric and adult ECMO will be discussed by a variety of local and national experts in the field. CME and additional educational credits are available. The full conference brochure, including agenda with complete topic, faculty and registration information may be accessed online.

College News

Minority Health Month

In recognition of Minority Health Month, the Texas Regional Mental Health Minority Mentor Network hosted “Career Journeys: My Big Break” on April 25. Regional leaders in mental health and diversity Dr. Asim Shah, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Baylor, Dr. Angelic Chaison, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, and Dr. Vineeth John of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston shared their career paths. Small-group sessions led by senior mentors such as Drs. Matthew Brams, John Coverdale, Toi Harris and Alice Mao and others from Baylor and UT Houston met with students, mental health trainees and junior faculty. The network was established as a regional extension of the American Psychiatric Association to improve mental health equity by increasing workforce diversity, providing cultural competence education and creating programming to increase mental health access. The Harris Health System sponsored the event coordinated by Drs. Ali Asghar-Ali and Phuong Nguyen of Baylor. Read more about the event on the Momentum blog.

Mother’s day special to plastic surgery center

The Baylor Facial Plastic Surgery Center is offering a Mother’s Day special – when you purchase a gift card for cosmetic procedures with Dr. Krista Olson at the Facial Plastic Surgery Center, you’ll receive 10 percent off Restylane and Botox procedures. For more information or to purchase a gift card, call 713-798-3223 or stop by the Center.

BCM BeWell Biometric Screening – Quest locations

The BCM BeWell biometric screening provides benefits-eligible employees and residents with a snapshot of their current health status. Beginning May 1, employees may register to complete a complimentary Biometric Screening at an off-site Quest location. You could receive up to 3,300 BCM BeWell points. Participants who complete both the biometric screening and the 2015 Vitality Health Review by Nov. 30 will also be eligible for a $50 Amazon gift card (applicable taxes will apply). Email wellness@bcm.edu for additional questions.

You FIRST News

Management training open

Human Resources will host “Managing to the Mission” classes in May and June. The course is designed for those in supervisory or management roles. The two-day program will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Topics will include leadership assessment, teambuilding, communication skills, effective meeting presentations, delegation, best practices at BCM and an overview of key policies. Sign up through the Employee Class registration link. For more information, contact Michelle Rose or Tomeka Stewart at YouFIRST@bcm.edu.

Faculty in the News

Baylor was featured in several Houston Chronicle stories. See this and Baylor's other news media mentions in this week’s Faculty in the News.

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