News for BCM Faculty, Nov. 23, 2022
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College News

Caption: On Veterans Day, Baylor College of Medicine employees volunteered with U.S. Vets, a nonprofit organization with three Houston facilities. U.S. Vets interacts with more than 1,100 veterans and their families annually and is a member of the Military Veteran Peer Network. View volunteer opportunities on Community Outreach.

Faculty Kudos

Dr. Chethan P. Venkatasubba Rao, associate professor of neurology and neurosurgery, was elected to the board of directors to the Neurocritical Care Society at its annual meeting in October. He was awarded a $100,000 INCLINE grant for his study, “Curing Coma Campaign Acute Coma Pragmatic Prospective Observational (COMPOSE)” from the Neurocritical Care Foundation. He was also given a presidential citation from the Neurocritical Care Society for his contribution to the field.

Dr. Valentina Hoyos, assistant professor in the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy and the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, is a recipient of the Victoria’s Secret Global Fund for Women’s Cancers Career Development Award, in partnership with Pelotonia and the American Association for Cancer Research. The award funds innovative research projects in breast and gynecologic cancers led by early-stage woman scientists. Hoyos will use the funding for pre-clinical validation of a completely novel T cell therapy approach for the treatment of triple negative breast cancer.

Dr. Michael Scheurer, professor of pediatrics – hematology/oncology and co-leader of the Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences Program at the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, was invited to a five-year term on the editorial board of Neuro-Oncology, a leading journal in its field.

Coming Up

Holiday schedule: Baylor is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, and will reopen Nov. 25.

• Morrison Café and Mary O's at main Baylor and Jamail Specialty Care Center will be closed Thursday and Friday, and other food options in the TMC will be limited.
• The TMC shuttle will not operate on Thursday or Friday. BCM shuttle service will operate on the Red shuttle schedule on Friday. This route runs from 6:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. from main Baylor – Baylor Clinic – McNair Campus (two stops) – VA – McGovern.
• Mail service will close at 2 p.m. Friday.

Health Professions Research Day: The J. David Holcomb Student Research Day for the School of Health Professions is Nov. 30. The virtual program will feature recorded poster presentations from students in all four health professions programs and a live session with presenter panels. Judges will have access to poster presentations starting Nov. 28 and can take up to three days to view and judge. The top three student presenters from the Physician Assistant and Orthotics and Prosthetics programs win prize money and recognition at the school’s Awards Day. To sign up to serve as a poster judge, email Tonya Johnson.

Flu vaccine attestation: Whether you got your flu vaccine on campus through the Occupational Health Program, at a Baylor clinic or at a community location, all faculty, staff and learners must complete attestation through the BCM Flu Vaccine App, or request an exemption, by Nov. 30.

Sleep Apnea Webinar: Dr. Andrew Huang, associate professor of otolaryngology – head and neck surgery, will host a free webinar at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 30 on Inspire Sleep Apnea Innovation, as well as his own experience and patient outcomes with the treatment. Inspire is an FDA-approved obstructive sleep apnea treatment that works inside the body. Huang is an experienced Inspire implanter in the Houston area. Register for the webinar.

Blood drive: Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center will host a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 6 in Rayzor Lounge. Those who donate will receive a Blood Center item of their choice. Reserve your spot and earn 50 Vitality Points for donating blood. BCM BeWell participants can earn points up to four times per year.

Long COVID Syndrome Forum: Baylor will host a free virtual Long COVID Syndrome Forum from 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 10. Faculty involved in the Post-COVID Care Clinic and long COVID research will speak on their experiences and lessons learned during the pandemic. CME credits are available. Register and find more information.

Topics include:

• Strategies for identifying and managing post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS)
• Defining care models for long COVID patients
• Research on understanding the mechanisms of long COVID

Faculty Opportunities

Clark Faculty Service Award: This prestigious, college-wide award recognizes Baylor College of Medicine faculty members whose exemplary service contributions have not been recognized before. Faculty members are encouraged to nominate colleagues who demonstrate a consistent commitment to excellence, altruism and community – and to Baylor’s mission, vision and values – through either a single endeavor or multiple service activities. Please also inform others of this important opportunity and recommend faculty qualified to be nominated. Visit Clark Faculty Service Award for full details. Nominations will be accepted through Dec. 19. For questions, contact Deborah Fernandez at dfernand@bcm.edu or call 713-798-7285.

Patient Safety Small Group Facilitators: Baylor is the only known medical school with a required Patient Safety course in the undergraduate curriculum. Each year, the College invites faculty, fellows and residents to participate as small group facilitators. This year, the school will recruit 40 facilitators. Responsibilities start in January. Find more information and register on Faculty Opportunities. For questions, email Dr. Sara Andrabi at sandrabi@bcm.edu or Dr. Mona Khattab at mona.khattab@bcm.edu.

Available services

HOMES Clinic Fundraiser: The HOMES Clinic’s fall campaign, Give Thanks, is raising funds to provide life-saving essentials like handwarmers, sleeping bags, blankets, insulated socks, crutches and walkers for unhoused people. Find more information at the clinic's new website. HOMES Clinic is a healthcare provider network for unhoused people in the Houston area. All fundraiser proceeds will go to patient care and clinic operations.

Pediatric Brain Cancer: Baylor is partnering with select Chevron stations in Texas to support pediatric/adolescent brain cancer research. Now through the end of the year, when you use Baylor-branded gas pumps at participating Chevron stations, 5 cents of every gallon purchased benefits the College’s research that leads to better patient care. It’s a fast and easy way to help our young patients with brain cancer put the disease in their rearview mirrors. Find more information, including a list of participating locations.

Questions or Comments?

Faculty Senate: Please contact your senator for faculty-related questions or suggestions.

Institutional Policy Committee: Contact the Policy Committee to learn more about College policies and procedures.

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