MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN OF MEDICINE
November 15, 2007
Thanks to those of you who were able to attend the first School of Medicine Faculty Mixer at the Yacht Club held yesterday. We are grateful to Teri Wenglein-Callender for joining us last night as our special guest. I have been at UTMB almost 18 years, and last night I met numerous faculty members I had never met before. I heard that sentiment repeated numerous times throughout the evening, and the event was such a success that we plan to hold more throughout the year. We will work hard to accommodate various schedules so as many School of Medicine faculty as possible can attend in the future.
As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you for your efforts on behalf of the School of Medicine and UTMB. We have made progress in this last year, and that progress would not have happened without your efforts. I would like to thank those of you who have already made a pledge to the UTMB SEC Campaign. If you have not yet had the opportunity, please take a minute to make a pledge and join your fellow employees in easing the heavy burdens of many of the residents of Galveston County. (Click here for link).
If you have not had an opportunity to attend one of the lectures in the series Medical Ethics During and After the Holocaust, I strongly encourage you to do so. The lecture I attended last week was very thought provoking. (Click here for link). I would also like to remind you about the Babies at Risk Conference that will take place at the Galveston Island Convention Center on November 27, 2007. The Conference is supported by the Daniel W. Kempner Visiting Professorship and the Harris and Eliza Kempner Fund, the Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women’s Health, and the School of Medicine. The full agenda of the symposium and registration can be accessed at: www.UTcme.net.
Congratulations to Drs. Stan Lemon and Werner Braun for receiving the distinction of being named American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellows. You can read more about the accomplishments of your colleagues in the School of Medicine in this month’s issue of SOM e-NEWS.
I would like to remind all departments that we all must work hard to make our monthly budgets, so that the School of Medicine can continue to grow and invest in strategic programs that will strengthen the research, education and clinical missions of the School. We also would like to remind the departments and department timekeepers to review the School of Medicine Holiday Leave Policy. Unless specifically assigned to clinical responsibilities, clinical faculty and all other SOM employees will be required to take all official UTMB holidays as holiday leave. If the faculty member or an employee elects to work on a holiday, they will not be eligible for any holiday leave for the time worked. All exceptions must be approved by the Department Chair and the Dean of the School of Medicine. Requests for exceptions must be approved by the Chair and sent in writing to the Dean prior to the date(s) of the holiday. Adherence to this policy will assist all of us in making our budget goals.
Effective November 19th, the Pediatric Associates clinic in League City will move to 6455 South Shore Blvd (behind the new Kroger). The newly named Pediatric Associates and Family HealthCare will be available to serve your whole family. Dr. Jean McAtee and Dr. Saloni Majmudar will continue practicing at this location. Dr. Nancy Eisen will move from Galveston 39th street to this location and Mandy Rosas, NP, will also be seeing patients at this location. Please make note of the new address, phone and fax numbers: 6455 South Shore Blvd, Suite 500, League City, Texas 77573; 281.538.7735 (phone) and 281.538.3936 (fax).
I wish you and your family a relaxing, renewing Thanksgiving, and look forward to working together in the months to come on continuing to improve the patient care, educational and research missions of the School of Medicine.