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BCM Family NewsLink, Nov. 8, 2013
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Archive / BCM Family

Awards and Recognitions

Mattox honors

Dr. Ken MattoxDr. Kenneth L. Mattox, professor of surgery at BCM and chief of staff at Harris Health System's Ben Taub Hospital, was elected second vice president elect by the American College of Surgeons at this year's Clinical Congress in Washington D.C. He will serve in this role for one year and be officially named second vice president in October 2014. Mattox has also been honored with the 2013 Benjamin Rush Award for Citizenship and Community Service by the American Medical Association. The award is given to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the community above and beyond the call of duty as a practicing physician. Mattox will be presented with this honor at the interim meeting of the AMA later this month.

Students recognized for establishing new elective

Dennis Shung and Mitch Peterson, both fourth-year medical students, were highlighted by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement Open School for their innovative work to establish a new clinical elective course on patient safety at BCM. The IHI Open School seeks to improve healthcare and patient safety competencies in the next generation of health professionals.

Events

Walk to benefit autism causes

The third annual Alex's 5K and Kids 1K Run/Walk will be held Saturday, Nov. 16, starting at 8 a.m. at Tom Bass Regional Park. The event honors the life of Alex Jamrich, son of Drs. Milan Jamrich and Kathi Mahon, both professors of molecular and cell biology, and raises money for local and national autism programs, including Avondale House, Autism Speaks and the Organization for Autism Research. Alex died unexpectedly in May 2010, just one month shy of his 18th birthday, likely of complications from autism. Consider joining the event as a volunteer, sponsor or participant. It is open to entrants of all levels – including recreational walkers and joggers as well as competitive runners. More information is available on the race website.

Graduate student town hall

All Baylor College of Medicine graduate students are invited to a town hall meeting with Dr. Deborah Johnson, dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, on Monday, Nov. 11, at 5 p.m. in Room N315, Alkek Building.

Emeriti Fall Workshop Nov. 11-12

The BCM HR-Benefits Retirement team invites you to the Emeriti Fall Workshops presented by Emeriti Retirement Health Solutions Nov. 11-12. Two separate workshops will focus on people getting close to retirement and those still working, and a drop-in information session will be held as well. Find more information and the workshop schedule on the BCM Intranet. The Emeriti Retiree Health Solutions Program is offered by BCM as a core benefit to help ensure that you are saving for healthcare expenses throughout your retirement years.

Duncan Cancer Center symposium

The Dan L Duncan Cancer Center at BCM will hold its 11th annual symposium Tuesday, Nov. 12, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Lectures and poster sessions will be held throughout the day in Cullen Auditorium and Rayzor Lounge. The keynote lecture, "Rare somatic cells isolated from adult human tissue exhibit pluripotent potential," will be delivered by Dr. Thea Tlsty, professor at the University of California – San Francisco Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, at 3:35 p.m. The symposium will also showcase representatives of Duncan Cancer Center research programs and presentations by this year's symposium abstract awardees. For more information or to download the agenda for the day, visit the 11th Annual Dan L Duncan Cancer Center Symposium page.

Social Dance Club mixer Nov. 14

The BCM Social Dance Club will host a beginning swing class and mixer Nov. 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Rayzor Lounge. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided. Admission is free and is open to anyone interested from BCM and other TMC institutions. No experience is required. The class will focus on jitterbug and East Coast swing and will be taught by two experienced swing dancers. Find more information online.

TMC Orchestra concert Nov. 17

The TMC Orchestra will present "A Breath of Inspiration" Sunday, Nov. 17, at 5 p.m. at Wortham Center. The concert will include the overture to "The Merry Wives of Winsor," "Concierto de Aranjuez," featuring a harp soloist from Rice's Shepherd School of Music, and Beethoven's "Symphony No. 7." The orchestra consists of medical, nursing and graduate students, residents, practitioners and faculty in the health care sciences. Tickets are inexpensive, and families are welcome! Buy tickets online or at the Wortham Center box office. Student tickets are available for $10 at the box office starting one hour before the concert.

College News

Research Ethics Consultation Service

BCM is introducing its new Research Ethics Consultation Service available to members of the BCM community through the Institute for Clinical and Translational Research and directed by the Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy. The service will provide consultation and support in analyzing ethical challenges in biomedical research and provide recommendations for a course of action. A research ethics consultation is most appropriate for controversial cases that have no clear-cut right or wrong answers. Consultants will use their judgment to make a recommendation based on literature and ethical analysis. To make a REC service request, go to the ICTR website, and click on "service request form."

Volunteers needed for avian influenza trial

The Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Unit at BCM is recruiting adults between the ages of 19 and 64 who are in good health for a study to test vaccines to protect against the avian influenza ("bird flu") strain called H7N9. Participants will receive different dosages of an investigational vaccine given with or without one of two adjuvants, which are substances added to a vaccine to increase the body's immune response. Researchers then will gather information regarding the safety, tolerability and antibody responses following vaccination. For more information on how to take part in the study at BCM, call the BCM Vaccine Research Center at 713-798-4912.

Changes to the Tuition Assistance Plan coming

Starting Nov. 13, 2013, Baylor College of Medicine will partner with EdAssist for its Tuition Assistance Plan for eligible employees. EdAssist offers streamlined submission, free educational advising, reduced tuition costs and 24-hour a day support. Look for the new EdAssist/Baylor College of Medicine website that will launch soon or contact ask-tuitionassistance@bcm.edu with questions.

Faculty in the News

Dr. Michel Mawad, chair of radiology at BCM, was quoted in news stories about the health condition of the Texans coach. Check out BCM news media mentions in this week’s Faculty in the News.

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