NewsLink, May 15, 2015
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Awards and Recognitions

Coursey awarded for ophthalmology research

Dr. Terry Coursey, postdoctoral associate in the department of ophthalmology, received a 2015 Merck Innovative Ophthalmology Research Award, presented by the ARVO Foundation. The awards encourage young researchers to undertake investigative work in critical areas of ophthalmology that may one day lead to meaningful improvements in patients’ lives. He earned a $10,000, second-place prize in the area of ocular surface research for his project, “Desiccating Stress–Induced Chemokine Expression in the Epithelium Is Dependent on Upregulation of NKG2D/RAE-1 and Release of IFN-g in Experimental Dry Eye.”

Guillory honored by TMA

Dr. Charleta Guillory, associate professor of pediatrics, received a Texas Medical Association Award for Excellence in Academic Medicine at the Gold Level at the TMA Council on Medical Education meeting last month. This meeting was held as part of TMA’s TexMed 2015 conference at the Hilton Austin. She was selected for the award based on her committed work to educate medical students, residents, fellows and the community about the importance of caring for babies and mothers. In addition, Dr. Richard Strax, associate professor of radiology, received a TMA Award for Excellence at the Silver Level for his leadership in education and in the field of radiology. Drs. Richard Strax and Dr. Shkelzen Hoxhaj also received a TMA Award, at the silver level.

Lerner named editor of first bladder cancer journal

Dr. Seth Lerner, professor of urology at Baylor and part of the NCI-designated Dan L Duncan Cancer Center, has been named editor-in-chief of Bladder Cancer, the first journal dedicated to the disease. The recently launched journal provides an open forum for original research in basic science, translational research and clinical medicine that will expedite fundamental understanding and improve treatment of tumors of the bladder and upper urinary tract.

Rubenfeld receives Excellence in Medical Ethics Award

Dr. Sheldon Rubenfeld, MD, FACP, FACE, clinical professor of medicine, received the Excellence in Medical Ethics Award at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists 24th Annual Scientific & Clinical Congress in Nashville this week. The award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated exemplary and continuing dedication to upholding the highest principles of medical ethics and standards for the betterment of the public’s health. Rubenfeld has taught “Jewish Medical Ethics” and “Healing by Killing: Medicine in the Third Reich” at Baylor and The University of Texas Medical School at Houston for seven years. He is the founding chair of the Center for Medicine After the Holocaust, whose mission is to challenge the medical community to confront the medical ethics of the Holocaust and apply it to their work.

Events

Market Days at BCM May 20

Stop by Rayzor Lounge on the main Baylor campus on Wednesday, May 20, between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. for Market Days at BCM to shop for fresh, organic, and sustainable products. May’s vendors include Chocolate and Sweetness (baked goods), Gold Leaf Coffee, Kristi's Kitchen (jellies and jams) and Ylive Juice (organic cold pressed juice). Payments can be made by cash or credit card. Market Days at BCM is a monthly event hosted by BCM’s Resource Stewardship and Sustainability Program. For more information, contact Allison Carr at allison.carr@bcm.edu or 713-798-1051.

College News

Baylor earns Charity Navigator’s Top Rating

Baylor’s sound financial management and commitment to accountability and transparency have earned it Charity Navigator’s top rating – four stars. This is the first time that the College has received the prestigious evaluation from the nation’s largest independent charity rater. Baylor is one of about 5,500 mid-to-large sized nonprofits that Charity Navigator reviews each year for evidence of fiduciary and governance responsibility, ethical practices and openness with donors. Its four-star rating places it in a select group of high-performing charities. The College is also an accredited charity of the Better Business Bureau for meeting the BBB’s 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Volunteers needed for vaccine study

Volunteers are needed for a vaccine study on schistosomiasis, an infection affecting more than 200 million people worldwide. You should be between 18 and 50 years of age, healthy, and willing to come to the BCM Vaccine Research Center for a screening evaluation and additional follow-up study visits if qualified. Volunteers will be compensated for their time, and parking is provided. If you would like more information about this important project, please contact the Vaccine Research Center at 713-798-6957 or 713-798-4912 or vax@bcm.edu.

Cholesterol and blood pressure presentation

For those who missed the cholesterol and blood pressure presentation given by Dr. Ihab Hamzeh, assistant professor of medicine – cardiology, in February, it can now be viewed online. The program was presented by the BCM BeWell program. If you take the quiz and score an 80 percent or better you will receive 100 points in the wellness portal (if you attended the presentation in person you cannot get points for answering the video quiz). For questions please email wellness@bcm.edu.

Financial Fitness Week

How fit are your finances? Join us for the BCM Financial Fitness Week to find out your financial fitness and earn BCM BeWell points (100 points per workshop, up to a maximum of 400 points). Hosted by Human Resources – Benefits, the Financial Fitness Week includes free workshops presented by Fidelity, TIAA-CREF, the Social Security Administration and more. New this year – two workshops in Spanish! Access the schedule online. Contact the BCM HR-Benefits Office at 713-798-1500 or ask-retirement@bcm.edu for more information.

Faculty in the News

The new research center at Children's Hospital of San Antonio was featured in the news this week. See this and Baylor's other news media mentions in this week’s Faculty in the News.

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