Dean’s Newsletter

SMD Alumni Weekend 2007

SMD Alumni News & Information

News from the Medical Center

Online Community

Class Notes

UR Regional Events

Other Divisions of URMC

SMD Alumni Office Contacts

Dean’s Newsletter

Dramatic increase in NIH funding for FY07: We’re doing something right!
- 10-26-07

The federal fiscal year ended on September 30, 2007 and the results are in.  During a year when the national NIH budget was flat, NIH funding to the School of Medicine & Dentistry rose by 12%, increasing our ranking to #25 among U.S. medical schools.  What a tribute to our faculty!  During a year when Study Section pay lines for grants plummeted, our faculty secured more NIH grants than ever.  
 
This year, as best we can tell, the NIH will no longer report a national list of school-specific results.  State-by-State data reported on the NIH website permit calculation of total awards from NIH grants during the previous fiscal year.  Of note is that these data do not include contracts, which have historically been combined with grants in the NIH rankings of awards to medical schools.  

Read More

A Bright Future for Stem Cell Research in New York State
- October 11, 2007
It is not uncommon for legislative bodies to "craft" (i.e., negotiate) budgets right up until the last minutes of a fiscal-year deadline. Often, the nature of the political process leads to a budget containing provisions that are illogical or unfathomable to the general public, or to no approved budget at all. This year, however, on the issue of funding for stem cell research, the New York State legislature got it right.

On March 31, 2007, minutes before the start of the state's 2008 fiscal year, NYS legislators passed a budget that includes $100 million for stem cell research this year. The money will be administered by a new entity set up within the state health department. In addition, for the next 10 years, the state will provide up to $50 million annually for stem cell research from a fund created from the sale of state-run insurance plans (notably the Health Insurance Plan (HIP) of New York) to private entities. Moreover, there is reason to be optimistic that the state legislature will appropriate an additional $50 million a year over the next 10 years from general sources. Thus, in round figures, it is possible that the State will allocate up to $1 billion for stem cell research over the next decade.

School of Medicine & Dentistry Alumni Weekend 2007

Nostalgic Celebrations …

36th George Hoyt Whipple Society Dinner

The 2007 Whipple Dinner was held on September 27 at the Monroe Golf Club and was attended by more than 220 donors of the School of Medicine and Dentistry. The highlight of the evening was the preview of a newly produced Scholarship Campaign video which celebrated the successful efforts to raise over $10 million in scholarship aid for students attending the School. The event was also attended by five medical students; giving them the opportunity to meet supporters of their scholarships.

5th Annual Distinguished Alumnus Lecture
On Friday, September 28, 2007, C. McCollister Evarts (MD `57, R `64) presented to over 200 alumni, faculty and staff in the Class of 1962 Auditorium. Jules Cohen (MD `57) introduced Dr. Evarts for his lecture, “Medical professionalism in the 21st century; Is there a need for revitalization?” To view the presentation, please visit http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/smd/alumni/distalumrecips.cfm .

Following his presentation, Dr Evarts received the Distinguished Alumnus Award at the annual Distinguished Alumnus Lecture and Awards Ceremony. This award is given in recognition of outstanding and widely recognized achievement. The award salutes those who exemplify the standards and objectives of the School of Medicine and Dentistry through personal conduct, professional accomplishments and community service. Distinct preference is given to those alumni whose achievements create significant impact in the medical field on a national and global scale.

Dr. C. McCollister “Mac” Evarts is the former Senior Vice President and Vice Provost for Health Affairs at the University of Rochester and Chief Executive Officer of the University of Rochester Medical Center and Strong Health. Currently he is a Distinguished University Professor and Professor of Orthopaedics.

Alumni Association Luncheon and Awards Ceremony
On Friday, September 28, 2007 at the Alumni Association Luncheon and Awards Ceremony, the 2007 Gold Medal Award was presented to Chin-To Fong, M.D. Dr. Fong is Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Dentistry, and Oncology and Chief of the Division of Pediatric Genetics at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. He was nominated by the Interclass Student Senate. The Gold Medal Award was established by the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry Alumni Association to pay tribute to members of the faculty “in recognition of integrity, inspiring teaching, and devotion to medical students.” The first award was given in 1952 to Samuel W. Clausen, Professor and Chair of Pediatrics.

The 2007 Alumni Service Award was also awarded at the Awards Ceremony on Friday. This year’s recipient was Robert L. Caldwell (MD `61, R `69). Due to a previous commitment, Dr. Caldwell was not able to attend the ceremony. The award was accepted on his behalf by Lawrence Nazarian (MD `64), Chair of the School of Medicine and Dentistry Alumni Council Awards committee and Vice President of the Alumni Council. This award was established by the Alumni Council in 2002 to pay tribute to an alumnus “who has furthered the interests of the school and the Alumni Association through significant support, commitment and service to the school.”

6th Annual George L. Engel Memorial Lecture
The 2007 George L. Engel Memorial Lecture entitled “Genes to Society,” was given by Edward Doring Miller, Jr., (MD `68). In 2002, John S. R. Deacon (MD `70) and George D’Angelo (MD `51) established this medical education lectureship in memory of Dr. Engel.

Dr. Miller was named Chief Executive Officer of Johns Hopkins Medicine, the 13th Dean of The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Vice President for Medicine of The Johns Hopkins University in January 1997. His appointment followed a year-long national search for the first-ever CEO of Johns Hopkins Medicine, a new organization which formally integrates operations and planning of the School of Medicine with The Johns Hopkins Health System and Hospital to ensure their continued preeminence in education, discovery and patient care. As CEO, he is responsible for both the School and the Health System.

Challenging Healthcare Issues Discussion & Panel
On Friday, September 28, 2007 John W. “Jack” Rowe (MD `70, HON `02),  prompted an interactive discussion on “Pay for Performance” issues in healthcare. Dr. Rowe is a Professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Alumni panel members Michael S. Schneider (MD `77), Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, and Joseph M. Serletti (MD `82), Division of Plastic Surgery Chief at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, shared their perspectives on “pay for performance” in their fields. Through an interactive response system, audience members voiced their opinions on various aspects of “pay for performance.”

Generosity Meets Gratitude – Scholarship Reception
Hosted by Dean David S. Guzick, M.D., Ph.D., the scholarship reception united donors and their student recipients. School of Medicine and Dentistry students and alumni mingled, sharing stories of their medical school experiences.

All-Alumni Casual Dinner
On Friday evening School of Medicine and Dentistry alumni of various classes gathered at the new University of Rochester Alumni and Advancement Center to reminisce and rekindle old frienships while enjoying a relaxing dinner.

Heritage Trail Tour
On Saturday morning over 80 alumni embarked on a tour of the School of Medicine and Dentistry and the Medical Center. Tour guides C. McCollister Evarts (MD `57, R `64), Jules Cohen (MD `57), Dean David S. Guzick, M.D., Ph.D., and Development Staff escorted alumni around old familiar places in the School such as Whipple’s office and auditorium, the Miner Library, and the original entrances of the School of Medicine and Strong Hospital. The tour also included stops for alumni to marvel at the many additions and innovations that have been added over the years.

Colonial Belle Boat Tour on the Erie Canal
On Saturday afternoon School of Medicine and Dentistry alumni enjoyed lunch while cruising down the Erie Canal and exploring historic Fairport.

Class Dinners

Alumni celebrating reunion in 2007 gathered in the School’s Flaum Atrium and local restaurants for dinners in honor of their milestone reunions, commemorating the evening with class pictures.

Additional pictures from the Weekends’ events may be viewed at http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/smd/alumni/activities.cfm.

Attention graduates of years ending in 3’s and 8’s – Save the Date for Alumni Weekend 2008 to be held September 25-27, 2008.

School of Medicine & Dentistry Alumni News & Information

Where Are They Now?
Fall is an ideal time for alumni to reconnect with each other and the School through various communications and alumni activities. Although classes celebrating reunions each year are asked to submit scrapbook forms, updating classmates on where they are and what they are currently doing; we receive requests throughout the year from alumni, asking for updated class directories and information on past School of Medicine and Dentistry acquaintances. You can stay connected with your classmates and help the Alumni Office by submitting updated contact information.

Got updates? Please log on to the Online Community at http://www.alumniconnections.com/URMC/ or email alumni@admin.rochester.edu with your updates and check out what your classmates are up to. We look forward to hearing from you!

Journey with the School of Medicine & Dentistry to Spain
Discover the fashionable and modern city of Barcelona, the heart of Spain’s culturally distinct and artistically rich Catalonia region. Walk Las Ramblas before touring the prominent art nouveau architectural sites of Antoni Gaudí, including the famous La Sagrada Familia basilica. In Spain’s enchanting Pendes wine country, see the town of Montserrat and enjoy Cava, the Catalan sparkling wine, on a visit to a local vineyard. Then travel to the Basque country, with its unique language and culture, as you drive along the scenic route from Montserrat to seaside San Sebastian on the Bay of Biscay. Tour the city of Bilbao and explore its renowned Guggenheim Museum. Finally, experience the sites of Pamplona, famous for the running of the bulls.

While experiencing the exhilarating sites of Spain, seasoned traveler and University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry alumnus, Paul F. Griner (MD `59), will enhance your itinerary with insightful presentations on 21st Century Medicine, informative patient interactions, and Universal Health Insurance facts and fiction.

Combining the convenience and unbeatable value of group travel with the flexibility to venture and explore on your own or with a group of like-minded alumni and friends, this trip is sure to be an adventure to remember. For more information on the Alumni Campus Abroad trip to Spain on October 21-November 1, 2008 or to book reservations, please call the University of Rochester Office of Alumni Relations at (800) 333-0175 or at (585) 273-5888.

News From the University of Rochester Medical Center

Strong Memorial Chosen as Rochester’s Most Preferred Hospital
For the 12th consecutive year, Strong Memorial Hospital has won the National Research Corporation’s (NRC) Consumer Choice Award. The annual award identifies hospitals which health care consumers have chosen as having the highest quality and image in 190 markets throughout the U.S. through NRC’s Healthcare Market Guide study. On Monday, September 17, NRC publicly announced the award winners in the health care trade journal, Modern Healthcare.

“We are delighted that Strong Memorial Hospital has again been recognized as Rochester’s most preferred hospital,” said Robert Panzer, M.D. (RES `80), chief quality officer of Strong Health. “This recognition reflects the success of our staff in meeting the increasingly difficult challenge of providing care that is patient-centered, safe, high-quality, and cost-effective.” Read More.

Rochester Combination Vaccine Study Published in The Journal of Pediatrics
A University of Rochester study brings relief to new parents who, while navigating a jam-packed childhood vaccine schedule, can expect to soothe their newborn through as many as 15 “pokes” by his or her six-month checkup.

The study shows that no efficacy or safety is compromised when clinicians administer a combination vaccine that streamlines the process – in effect, tripling up three of the recommended shots to reduce the “poke” total, from five to three, at each of three bimonthly checkups.

“Only more immunizations will enter the schedule,” said Michael Pichichero (MD `76, RES `79), professor of Microbiology/Immunology, Pediatrics and Medicine at the University of Rochester and the study’s lead author. “Coupling or tripling of these vaccines is increasingly important, as this streamlining helps to promote parent compliance, timely vaccination and fewer administration errors.” Read More.

Rochester Brain Injury Research Highlighted in Local News
WHAM TV, ABC aired a story on October 8, 2007 on research done at the University of Rochester to identify an easier, cheaper, and faster way to detect even minor head injuries.  Jeffery Bazarian (MD `87, MPH `02), associate professor of emergency medicine, discusses University research aimed at developing a blood test to determine the severity of a concussion. "Over the past ten years or so, we've figured concussions are not as minor as we thought," says Bazarian. Read More.

Online Community

Join the Online Community
Online Community membership is FREE and exclusive to alumni. Search for friends and make new connections with the University of Rochester Medical Center Alumni Network. The Online Community offers an online directory of all URMC School of Medicine & Dentistry and School of Nursingalumni where you can search by geographic location or specialty. Network with classmates, quickly update your information, and much more with the Alumni Online Community. Register now.

Do you know that you could have the same email address forever? With the use of the permanent email-forwarding feature available through the Online Community, you can have the same email address no matter what Internet Service Provider you use! To sign up for your free @alumni.urmc.rochester.edu address, register for the Online Community today!
Visit http://www.alumniconnections.com/URMC/ to connect to the online community. If you are not sure of your unique alumni ID, please contact us at alumni@admin.rochester.edu .

Class Notes

Submit Class Notes to Rochester Medicine Magazine
The University of Rochester 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, email alumni@admin.rochester.edu.

University of Rochester Regional Events

Fall Regional Alumni Events
The University of Rochester Office of Alumni Relations is pleased to host many exciting events across the country. These events are a perfect way to connect with classmates and alumni living in your region and a great opportunity to get caught up on the interesting things taking place at the University. Family and friends of alumni are welcome at all events. For more information on these events or to register, please visit http://www.rochester.edu/alumni/regional/ or contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (585) 273.5888 or (800) 281.2055.

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.

SMD Alumni Office Contacts

Glen Smiley, Associate Vice President of Medical Center Development
Mary Ann Kiely, Acting Director of Development and Medical Alumni Relations
Leslie Chambers, Assistant Director of Development/Alumni Council Liaison
Kelly Nuccitelli,Assistant Director of Development/Class Agent Liaison
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 http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/smd/alumni/rochesterpulse/october2007.html

Visit the School of Medicine and Dentistry‘s web page at www.urmc.rochester.edu/smd .
300 East River Road, PO Box 278996, Rochester, NY 14627-8996