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NewsLink, Oct. 2, 2015
Please submit items for the weekly Newslink to Dana Benson.

Archive / BCM Family / You FIRST

Awards and Recognitions

Gibbs named fellow at Texas A&M Institute for Advanced Study

Dr. Richard GibbsDr. Richard Gibbs, director of the Human Genome Sequencing Center at Baylor, was named one of 13 new Faculty Fellows of the Texas A&M University Institute for Advanced Study in recognition of his trailblazing work in the field of genetics. The fellows will partner with one or more departments offering graduate degrees housed at Texas A&M or the Texas A&M Health Science Center. Additionally, they will provide resources for graduate students and funding to support visiting graduate students and postdoctoral researchers affiliated with the Faculty Fellows.

Wang honored by the American Society for Cell Biology

Dr. Meng WangDr. Meng Wang, assistant professor of molecular and human genetics and part of the Huffington Center on Aging, has received the American Society for Cell Biology’s Gibco Emerging Leader Prize. She was honored for her work on metabolism and aging, especially her discovery that fat metabolism plays an important role in regulating lifespan. One of three recently announced winners, Wang was a unanimous choice of the selection committee. She will receive a $5,000 check at the 2015 ASCB Annual Meeting in San Diego in December.

Zoorob receives grant for health program

Dr. Roger ZoorobDr. Roger Zoorob, chair of the department of family and community medicine, and his team were awarded a three-year, $500,000 grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for the Women’s Access Project. A collaboration of Baylor’s department of family and community medicine, Santa Maria Hostel and Houston Area Community Services Inc., the project will expand substance abuse treatment and outreach for low-income minority women who have a history of incarceration and substance abuse and who have or are at risk for HIV/AIDS.

Events

Events this week highlight diversity

This week marks Diversity Week at Baylor, with events for trainees, faculty and staff. A lecture by Dr. Andrew Campbell of the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University will be held Oct. 7 at 2 p.m. in Cullen Auditorium. He will speak on “The Rise of the Invisible ‘Man’ Pursuing an Academic Career.” A faculty town hall meeting on diversity at Baylor led by College leadership, including Drs. Paul Klotman, Alicia Monroe and Toi Harris, will be held Thursday, Oct. 8, at 5 p.m. in Cullen Auditorium with a reception hosted by the Latino Medical Student Association following in Rayzor Lounge.

DocTalk Oct. 8

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the next DocTalk will focus on the topic. Set for Thursday, Oct. 8, at noon in Cullen Auditorium, it will feature Dr. Emily Sedgwick, associate professor of radiology, speaking on the importance of screening and 3D mammography in particular. Eligible employees who attend will receive BCM BeWell Vitality points. DocTalk is an informational series that offers a chance to meet Baylor faculty and learn about health topics and ask questions. Bring your lunch and join the discussion!

Compassion lecture Oct. 9

“When Doctors Become Patients,” the next lecture in the Compassion and the Art of Medicine series, will be Friday, Oct. 9, at 12:10 p.m. in Cullen Auditorium featuring Dr. Alyssa Rieber and Dr. Chitra Viswanathan, both of MD Anderson Cancer Center and Baylor alumni. They will discuss their experiences as patients with cancer and the effect on careers and family. The lecture series is sponsored by Baylor’s department of family and community medicine and this particular talk is co-sponsored by MD Anderson.

Opportunities to join fundraising and fitness events

The Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center at Baylor has formed a team for the Houston Komen Race Oct. 31 at Sam Houston Park. Baylor family and friends are invited to walk with them. Register online (click “register” then “join a team” and search for Baylor Breast Center). For more information, contact team captain Alyssa Johnston at alyssa.johnston@bcm.edu. In addition, BCM BeWell hopes to expand the Baylor team riding in the BP MS 150 in 2016. Watch out for upcoming information about joining Team Baylor for the ride from Houston to Austin or sign up to receive future emails about the event. Eligible employees can receive BCM BeWell Vitality points for these and other events. For more information, contact wellness@bcm.edu.

College News

Open Enrollment 2016

The 2016 Open Enrollment period for benefits-eligible employees and residents will be Oct. 5 through Oct. 16. During this period, you can add/edit/waive plans, add/delete eligible dependents or participate in the Flexible Spending Accounts for 2016. To help employees make informed benefits decisions, Benefits Fairs featuring external vendors and Baylor human resources representatives will be held on the following dates:

- Monday, Oct. 5, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Baylor Clinic, 11th floor conference room

- Tuesday, Oct. 6, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Main Baylor, Rayzor Lounge

- Wednesday, Oct. 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., CNRC Lobby.

Additional meetings will be held during the Open Enrollment period (BCM BeWell Vitality points available). See the full schedule of meetings. For Open Enrollment questions, email ask-insurance@bcm.edu.

Albert Schweitzer program recruiting prospective fellows

The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship Houston – Galveston is accepting applications for its 2016-17 class of fellows. The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship is a one-year interdisciplinary, mentored fellowship program focused on health-related community service and leadership development. Students enrolled in graduate or professional degree-granting programs interested in applying should be prepared to partner with a local community agency and design a community service project that provides direct health service to an underserved population. Visit the ASFHG website for more information on applying and on current and past fellows and their projects.

Faculty in the News

KUHF radio featured the National School of Tropical Medicine's recent support from the Carlos Slim Foundation to fight Chagas disease. See Baylor's news media mentions in this week’s Faculty in the News.

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