MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN OF MEDICINE
February 12, 2008
I am pleased to share with you news of the Board of Regents initial approval for the planning of our new research building. We are planning to build a 140,000 square foot building with 76,000 square feet dedicated to research, particularly translational research. The building will be located at Sixth Street and Harborside Drive, across from the Primary Care Pavilion. This preliminary approval by the Board of Regents is an affirmation of the excellent research currently being conducted here, and recognition of the future growth of our research enterprise.
Our faculty have been extremely busy in January and February. In addition to their usual duties, several faculty members presented to the Development Board on our Transplant, Cancer, Neuroscience and Global Health Programs. In addition, faculty members are traveling with Dr. Callender to various cities in Texas for events with alumni and parents in the area. Their presentations are part of an effort to get the word out to our alumni and other referring physicians and hospitals throughout the state about the tertiary and quaternary care offered at UTMB.
We welcomed several new faculty at this month’s Faculty of Medicine meeting, and have created a web page listing all faculty members who have joined UTMB since August 2007 (click here). Welcome to all new faculty, and please be reminded the Faculty Lounge on the first floor of Old Red is available to faculty with no annual fee. For more information on the Faculty Lounge, click here.
In the research arena, the story about Dr. Radek Bukowski’s research on folic acid reducing the chances of delivering a premature baby was picked up by United Press International and has been featured in more than 182 newspaper, web and television outlets around the world, including USA Today, the China Post and the UK Guardian. UTMB’s Space Medicine Program received recognition in the January issue of American Medical News, with quotes from James Vanderploeg, MD, MPH, visiting associate professor of clinical preventive medicine at UTMB and chief medical officer for Virgin Galactic. He is screening more than 100 people who have paid $200,000 each for future suborbital flights.
For more information on these stories and others on your colleagues and their accomplishments, please click here.
Although February is a short month, it is a busy one. I wanted to remind you of a few things this month:
*You Count Survey Feb. 11-29. This is important. I have completed mine. Please take the time to complete it, and give your employees time to complete it. http://www.utmb.edu/youcount/
*SACS Visit --- February 26, 27, 28. Please be prepared to answer any questions about synergy and our plan for a multidisciplinary approach to education. http://www.utmb.edu/sacs/default.asp
*The Yellow Boat --- A moving play about a father’s experience with his son’s healthcare while being treated for cancer: Feb. 12th from 6 to 8 p.m. and Feb. 13th from 4 to 6 p.m. at Levin Hall.
*IMH conference: Graduate Education in the Humanities: Models and Methods, March 6-9th. For more information, click here and scroll: http://www.utmb.edu/imh/
*Dr. Pat Stockman is back with UTMB, seeing patients at our clinic in Friendswood. For a list of all mainland clinics, click here.
*Faculty, mark your calendars now to attend the School of Medicine Commencement ceremonies on May 31, 2008 at Moody Gardens Convention Center. I encourage all faculty to plan to process and show our students and their families your support. The first 220 faculty to respond will be guaranteed a seat. This is very important, and I appreciate your participation. I am delighted that Dr. Bernie Morrey, UTMB Class of 1971 will be our Commencement Speaker. For more information on Dr. Morrey click here, and to respond for seating and for more information please contact Denise Gonzalez at djgonzal@utmb.edu or Valerie Carmichael at vcarmich@utmb.edu.