NewsLink, Aug. 14, 2015
Please submit items for the weekly Newslink to Dana Benson.

Archive / BCM Family / You FIRST

Awards and Recognitions

Hoxhaj named to emergency medicine board

Dr. Shkelzen Hoxhaj, associate professor of medicine and chief of emergency medicine, was named to the board of directors of the Emergency Department Benchmarking Alliance. The alliance is a nonprofit organization that supports the people who manage emergency departments across the country.

Zoghbi receives research grant

Dr. Huda Y. Zoghbi, professor of molecular and human genetics, neurology, neuroscience, and pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine; director of the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital; and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator, has been awarded a Javits Neuroscience Investigator Award from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. The seven-year grant will support research into spinocerebellar ataxia 1, the first gene she identified and a major focus of her laboratory for more than two decades. The award notes her “distinguished record of substantial contributions in the field of neurological science.” Read more in the Baylor press release.

CHOSA faculty named ‘Best Doctors’

Ten pediatric subspecialists at the Children's Hospital of San Antonio were selected as Best Doctors in America for 2015. Included in the list are four critical care specialists: Dr. Elumalai Appachi, Dr. Timothy Tong, Dr. Matei Petrescu and Dr. Clint Woosley. Additionally, Dr. Lisa Buckmiller, ENT; Dr. Elizabeth Roeder, genetics; Dr. Daniel Sedillo, hospital medicine; and Dr. Donald Currie, pediatric physical medicine and rehabilitation, made the list. Dr. Adam Noel and Dr. James Noel, both gastroenterologists and brothers, were also selected. Profiles will appear in the September edition of San Antonio Magazine. Baylor is the academic partner of CHOSA.

Events

Share a Coke traveling tour

The Share a Coke Summer Tour will make a stop at Baylor College of Medicine Thursday, Aug. 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Baylor Courtyard located at the main Baylor campus. The event features traveling kiosks that will enable Coke fans to customize a Coca-Cola mini can for themselves and a second can for someone special. The tour will satisfy those who can't find their names on store shelves!

DocTalk Aug. 28

The next DocTalk will be Friday, Aug. 28, from noon to 12:45 p.m. at the Jamail Specialty Care Center, fourth floor, room 120-125, with Dr. Jeffrey Steinbauer, professor of family and community medicine, speaking on “Know Your Baseline for Optimal Health.” DocTalk is an informal series of lunch-time talks led by a member of the Baylor faculty on a variety of health topics. Bring your lunch and join the conversation. Eligible employees who attend will receive 200 BCM BeWell Vitality points.

History of the TMC Library lecture

As part of its Centennial Celebration, the TMC Library is hosting a Centennial Lecture Series, starting on Tuesday, Aug. 18, with “History of the TMC and Its Library.” The talk will be held from noon to 1 p.m. in the first floor lobby of the library. It’s free and open to the public; light refreshments will be served and there will be prize drawings and giveaways. Find more information on the lecture and other Centennial events on the TMC Library website.

Indoor cycling event benefits Baylor’s gynecologic cancer support program

The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund will host a cycling event Saturday, Sept. 19, benefitting Baylor’s Woman to Woman Program. The program pairs ovarian cancer survivors with newly diagnosed patients to provide support through the treatment process. The event, called Ovarian Cycle, is a three-hour indoor cycling event and will be held at the LA Fitness in the Texas Medical Center. Register online.

College News

Volunteers needed for vaccine research

A vaccine has been developed for Schistosomiasis, an infection affecting more than 200 million people worldwide. Volunteers are needed for a study on the vaccine. Participants 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. For information, contact 713-798-6957 or 713-798-4912 or email vax@bcm.edu.

BCM BeWell Vitality points offered for upcoming events

Benefits-eligible employees who participate in fitness events can earn 250 to 500 BCM BeWell Vitality points, depending on the length of the event. The Houston Events page on the BCM BeWell intranet has been updated with upcoming fall events in the Houston area, including Tour de Pink, Tour de Cure, Cypress Triathlon and more. Email wellness@bcm.edu for more information.

Environmental safety information – lab attire

With summer in full force, the hot weather makes this the ideal time to review what is considered proper laboratory attire. In short, when working in the lab, ideally all skin should be protected from exposure. To learn more about proper lab attire, see the notice from the Office of Environmental Safety.

You FIRST News

Captains needed for annual softball tourney!

You FIRST will be hosting a softball tournament for BCM employees and students Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Houston Sportsplex. Team captains are needed to recruit players and organize coed teams. If you are interested in serving as a team captain, sign up online by Friday, Aug. 28, at 5 p.m. A team captain conference call and softball signups will be held the week of Aug. 31. If you have questions, please contact youfirst@bcm.edu.

Faculty in the News

Who doesn't want to save baby elephants? Dr. Paul Ling certainly does. Read about his work in the Houston Chronicle story and see Baylor's other news media mentions in this week’s Faculty in the News.

Follow BCM