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Dean's Newsletter

2008 William H. Riker University Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching: Stephen Dewhurst, PhD
- June 20, 2008 Newsletter
The William H. Riker University Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching is given annually to a faculty member who has excelled in graduate instruction, particularly in the University's doctoral programs. Presented at the Doctoral Commencement Ceremony each May, it is the University of Rochester's greatest recognition for excellence in graduate education. This year, the Riker Award was given to our own Stephen Dewhurst, PhD, Professor of Microbiology and Immunology and Senior Associate Dean for Basic Research.

Since we are a research-focused medical school, our faculty members are not often recognized University-wide for their excellence in teaching. But we are on a run. Last year, the Riker Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching, which had never before been given to a medical school faculty member, was awarded to Robert Bambara, PhD, Professor and Chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. (See June 19, 2007 for my newsletter on Dr. Bambara and also for more background on the Riker Award). And now, we are thrilled that Dr. Dewhurst has received this much-deserved honor. Read More.

Commencement 2008, School of Medicine & Dentistry
- May 30, 2008 Newsletter
Commencement for the medical student Class of 2008 occurred in the Eastman Theatre on May 16th. As we have done since 2004, the remarks of our speakers are published below.

This year, it was a treat to hear from Dr. Joseph B. Martin (PhD '71, HNR '96) as our Commencement speaker. A version of Dr. Martin's address, entitled "Where have all the doctors gone," was published yesterday in the Boston Globe. Dr. Martin served for 10 years as Dean of the Harvard Medical School, prior to which he was Dean of the School of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco and then Chancellor of UCSF. A neurologist and neuroscientist, Dr. Martin has greatly improved our understanding of brain disorders through study of hypothalamic regulation of pituitary hormone secretion and the application of neurochemistry and molecular genetics. The Charles Force Hutchison and Marjorie Smith Hutchison Medal, the University's highest recognition of personal achievement, was presented to Dr. Martin by President Seligman.

School of Medicine & Dentistry Alumni Information

Join us for Alumni Weekend on September 25-27, 2008
Alumni Weekend 2008 registration packets have been mailed to all reunion-year (3's and 8's) and Rochester-area alumni. If you did not received a registration packet, please call Kelly Nuccitelli at 585-273-4854. To learn more about Alumni Weekend or to register online, please visit http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/smd/alumni/reunion/index.cfm. We hope you will join us for a weekend filled with reminiscing, learning and lots of fun! ALL ALUMNI, regardless of year of graduation, are invited to participate in the festivities.

Regional Alumni Events
The School of Medicine and Dentistry hosts regional events throughout the country. Check out the "Alumni Programs and Events 2008" listing each month in Rochester Pulse - we may be coming to your area soon!

Philadelphia Regional Alumni Dinner
On Monday, June 16, 2008, 37 alumni and guests gathered at the historic Union League Philadelphia for dinner and conversation with C. McCollister Evarts (MD '57, RES '64), former CEO, Distinguished University Professor and Professor of Orthopaedics, URMC. The dinner was hosted by Joseph M. Serletti (MD '82, RES '88), Division of Plastic Surgery Chief, University of Pennsylvania.

Vascular Surgery Reception in San Diego

University of Rochester Alumni Events
You may have noticed that you are receiving additional invitations to university-wide events. In addition to School of Medicine and Dentistry activities, the University of Rochester Alumni Office sponsors numerous events as well. All UR alumni are welcome to attend these activities. To view the UR Alumni Events Calendar click here. For questions about UR events, please call 877-MELIORA or 877-635-4672.

Radiation Oncology Pioneer Mark Carol, MD, Joins Xoft as Chief Medical Officer
On June 18, 2008 Xoft, Inc., makers of the Axxent(R) Electronic Brachytherapy System, a proprietary technology platform designed to deliver localized, non-radioactive, isotope-free radiation treatment in minimally-shielded clinical settings, announced that Mark Carol (MD '78), has joined as Chief Medical Officer.

"I have spent most of my career working to develop and deliver novel therapies to patients that have clear-cut clinical value, but do not cost them or the healthcare system an arm and a leg," said Dr. Carol. "I am excited to join Xoft and be part of a talented team dedicated to bringing a dramatic new approach to the delivery of radiation treatment that I believe can lead to fundamental breakthroughs in cancer research and treatment and, perhaps most importantly, patient care.

"While Electronic Brachytherapy has already demonstrated clear clinical value in the treatment of breast and is now being applied to endometrial cancers, the energy range the technology operates in opens the doors to a myriad of new treatment options and modalities. For example, intraoperative radiation therapy has had many champions over the years; however, without a truly portable system to deliver a safe and consistent dose, it has not been clinically or commercially practical. Binary therapy, known as photoactivation or Disease Activated Radiation Therapy, is another application well suited to this technology. If we can tag cancer cells with a material such as iodine that can be activated by KV energy, we have the potential to very effectively kill the cancer cells with little or no effect on the surrounding healthy cells," added Dr. Carol. Read More.
Excerpt from the PR Newswire press release

Photographers Wanted
In the last few issues of Rochester Medicine magazine, striking photographs of people, places and things have been included throughout the "Class Notes" pages. We are looking for your help to make this a regular feature in your alumni magazine. Have you taken up photography professionally or consider yourself an amateur enthusiast? Share your passion for pictures with fellow alumni! We are seeking alumni photographers to be featured in future issues of Rochester Medicine. To submit photographs, or for more information, please contact Kelly Nuccitelli in the Alumni Office by calling 585-273-4854 or e-mail knuccitelli@admin.rochester.edu.

Submit Class Notes for Rochester Medicine Magazine
The University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry wants to hear from you! Share new and exciting things happening in your life with fellow alumni. To submit a class note for publication in the Rochester Medicine magazine, e-mail alumni@admin.rochester.edu. Please note that due to space restrictions, there is a 150-word limit per individual note, except for special circumstances. To submit class notes electronically click here. Did you know that Rochester Medicine magazine is available online? Check out past issues by visiting http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/pr/publication/index.cfm.

University of Rochester Alumni Directory Project
You may have been recently contacted about updating your contact information to be included in a University-wide alumni directory. The University of Rochester is partnering with Harris Connect to produce a 2009 all-alumni print directory. In the coming months, Rochester and Harris will contact alumni, residents, and fellows asking for a brief verification of biographical data for inclusion in the directory. We appreciate your help in ensuring that our records are up to date! Read FAQ's.

School of Medicine & Dentistry News

Commencement 2008

Turtlequill Journal of Literary Arts
Founded in the fall of 2006, Turtlequill is the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry's Journal of the Literary Arts. The journal provides an outlet through which students can express themselves through writing and, as importantly, provides a medium through which they can share these expressions with others in the community. Turtlequill is run, organized, and edited entirely by School of Medicine and Dentistry medical students. Turtlequill's publication is made possible through grants from the Division of Medical Humanities and the University of Rochester Interdisciplinary Cluster for Human Values in Healthcare.

One-year subscriptions are available for $10 (fall 2007/spring 2008). Sample copies are available in the Miner Library and the Office of Medical Humanities. To subscribe to Turtlequill, please e-mail turtlequilljournal@gmail.com.

Publication consideration in this journal is open to all medical students, graduate students, residents, faculty, and staff of the University of Rochester Medical Center. Submissions may be e-mailed to turtlequilljournal@gmail.com.

Husband and Wife Independently Appointed to Key Leadership Positions
Richard and Susan Fisher have recently embarked on new professional appointments at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

Cancer Center Director Tapped to Head Medical Faculty Group
Richard I. Fisher, MD has been appointed senior associate dean for Clinical Affairs and director of the University of Rochester Medical Faculty Group (URMFG) - Rochester's largest medical practice. As a result of this appointment, effective June 23, Fisher also serves as vice president of University of Rochester Medical Center.

"Dr. Fisher combines a broad and visionary role for our faculty practice with extensive experience running a large clinical service at the Cancer Center that interface with virtually all Medical Center departments," said David S. Guzick, MD, PhD, dean of the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. "I look forward to working with him in advancing the goals of our clinical mission."

Fisher, a graduate of Harvard Medical School, is also director of the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center. He is an internationally known expert in research and treatment of lymphoma and is a nationally renowned cancer clinician, scientist, and educator. Fisher, also the Samuel E. Durand Professor of Medicine, oversees clinical cancer services at Strong Memorial Hospital and Highland Hospital, which together provide comprehensive care for cancer patients throughout Western and Upstate New York. Fisher's research focuses on the biology and treatment of lymphoma, cancers derived from white blood cells, and he has led national and international studies on Hodgkin's disease and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

"Rich Fisher has proven, time and again, that he has the vision and leadership to unite people behind a shared objective," said Bradford C. Berk (MD '81, PhD '81), CEO of the University of Rochester Medical Center. "The Medical Faculty Group is the clinical backbone of the Medical Center and Rich is the ideal person to guide this organization as we embark on a major expansion of our clinical services."Read More.

University of Rochester Names Community and Preventive Medicine Chair
Susan Gross Fisher, MS, PhD, has been appointed chair of the Department of Community and Preventive Medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, effective July 1, 2008.

An accomplished researcher and expert in cancer epidemiology, Fisher has been serving as interim chair of the department since July of 2007. She succeeds Thomas Pearson, MD, MPH, PhD, senior associate dean for clinical research, who led Community and Preventive Medicine during the past decade through a period of tremendous growth. Pearson has been on sabbatical for a year, as a visiting scientist at the National Human Genome Research Institute.

"Dr. Susan Fisher has made significant contributions in the very areas this department needs to build upon, following Tom Pearson's extraordinary tenure as chair," said David Guzick, M.D., Ph.D., dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry. "She was a central figure in creating a new medical school course that opens the double-helix curriculum, winning accolades from students; she created and successfully implemented a Ph.D. program in epidemiology; she is a key-function co-director for the Clinical Translational Science Institute in biostatistics and epidemiology; she won the support of her faculty while serving as interim chair of CPM; and she presented an exciting vision for the department's future during the search process. We are very pleased to implement the search committee's recommendation to appoint Dr. Fisher as chair."

Prior to her appointment, Fisher served as associate chair for research, director of the doctoral program for epidemiology, and division chief of epidemiology in Community and Preventive Medicine. Under her leadership, New York state approved a University doctoral program in epidemiology that was developed by Fisher. In 2004, she also received the Graduate Education Faculty Teaching Award at the University of Rochester. Read More.

University of Rochester Medical Center Updates

School of Nursing Names Nationally Recognized Sleep Disorders Expert as its Next Dean
After an extensive national search, Kathy P. Parker, PhD, RN, FAAN, an adult nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist in adult health, and a nationally recognized sleep disorders researcher, has been selected as the fourth dean of the University of Rochester School of Nursing, University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) CEO Bradford C. Berk (MD '81, PhD '81), announced.

Parker is currently a professor of Nursing in the Department of Family and Community Nursing at Emory University's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing in Atlanta. She will relocate and start at the University of Rochester in August.

"As a respected, practicing clinician, Kathy brings a deep appreciation for the value of clinician educators and learning approaches that focus on teams of providers," Berk said. "Her expertise in NIH-funded research, especially translational research into hypersomnia, will synergize with the programs in our Clinical and Translational Science Institute." Parker's first task will be to create a comprehensive strategic plan for the School that integrates with URMC's new strategic plan, Berk added.

"The University of Rochester School of Nursing is well known for its academic excellence and it is a privilege to have the opportunity to serve as its dean. However, what impressed me most about the School - and the entire University - was the warmth and collegiality of both faculty and staff," Parker said. "I look forward to working with everyone in this wonderful, rich environment to become the best we all can be." Read More.

Wilmot Expert Gets $550,000 Grant from Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society recently awarded a $550,000 career development grant to Jonathan Friedberg, MD, MMSc, associate professor of Medicine and director of hematological malignancies clinical research at the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, to advance research of new agents for the treatment of lymphomas.

News & Information About Other Divisions of URMC

What's Happening at URMC
Learn more about the latest from the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong, Highland Hospital, Strong Memorial Hospital, School of Nursing and Visiting Nurse Service. Learn more.

Do you live in Rochester or plan on visiting this summer? Check out Golisano Children's Hospital local events calendar and have some fun while helping our local children. View Events Calendar.

University of Rochester News

To read the full speech, please visit: http://www.rochester.edu/president/memos/2008/garden_party/ .

Always Better Adult Continuing Education
Enroll in fun and exciting noncredit courses through the UR's Always Better Adult Continuing Education program. Classes are held on River Campus in the evenings and weekends to accommodate your busy schedule.

To register or for more information, please call the Office of Special Programs at (585) 275 -2344 or visit http://www.rochester.edu/college/osp/apply/contStudies_courses.html. All alumni and their spouses are eligible to receive 20 percent off their tuition for most Always Better classes! Be sure to mention your University of Rochester alumni status to receive the UR Community discount. We encourage you to take advantage of this lifelong learning opportunity. Welcome back to campus!

School of Medicine & Dentistry Alumni Office Contacts

Chad Gobel, Associate Vice President of Medical Center Advancement
Mary Ann Dever, Executive Director of Medical Center Advancement
Mary Ann Kiely, Director of Advancement and Medical Alumni Relations
Carmen Aiezza, Senior Associate Director of Major Gifts
Kelly Nuccitelli, Associate Director of Advancement/Medical Alumni Relations
Paula Smith, Director of Student Services

Rochester Pulse is a publication of the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry Alumni Relations Office.
This month's issue can be viewed online at www.urmc.rochester.edu/smd/alumni/rochesterpulse/june2008.html.
Visit the School of Medicine and Dentistry's Web pages:
www.urmc.rochester.edu/smd | www.urmc.rochester.edu/smd/alumni
300 East River Road, Suite 208, PO Box 278996, Rochester, NY 14627-8996