Presidential Scholars Steering Committee Seminars

The Presidential Scholars Steering Committee is hosting two seminars by outstanding UTMB faculty at 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 11. Kathryn A. Cunningham, PhD will speak in Levin Hall North on “2C or not 2C: The Slings and Arrows of Translational Addiction Research,” and C.J. Peters, M.D. will speak in Levin Hall South on “Lessons in Emerging Infections from the Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers.” All are welcome to attend!

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St. Vincent’s Benefit Concert

Tickets are now on sale for the annual St. Vincent’s Benefit Concert to be held at 7 p.m., Thursday, March 11 at The Grand 1894 Opera House. The concert is a major fundraiser for the St. Vincent’s Clinic, a cooperative effort between UTMB and St. Vincent’s House, which is committed to providing quality health care to the underserved population of Galveston while facilitating the education of UTMB students. A T-shirt fundraiser is also underway for the clinic. If you have any questions, please email: stvclinic@gmail.com .

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Free glaucoma screenings

Free basic glaucoma screenings and information will be available at UTMB University Eye Centers in Galveston and Friendswood without an appointment during World Glaucoma Week, March 8 -12 as follows:

• UTMB University Eye Center, 700 University Blvd., Galveston, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, March 8 - Friday, March 12
• UTMB University Eye Center, 400 W. Parkwood, Suite 120, Friendswood, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, March 8 - Friday, March 12
• UTMB Cafeteria, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, March 11

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Ongoing investigation:  Possible privacy breach

As part of the ongoing investigation, UTMB has recently notified a second group of approximately 1250 patients whose financial information (credit card or banking information) may have been accessed by a former MedAssets employee currently in police custody. Notification letters were mailed to affected individuals on March 8, 2010, along with information regarding steps they can take to mitigate and protect themselves from potential harm. Misuse of personal information is on the rise across the nation; however, there are steps that you can take to minimize risk.  UTMB has created a website featuring useful strategies for protecting one’s identity. If you receive any calls or have questions concerning this issue, please direct them to the Office of Institutional Compliance at (409) 747-8700 or toll free at 1-888-371-1375.

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Celebrating Wellness and Technology Festival

The UTMB community is invited to attend the “Celebrating Wellness and Technology Festival” from 10:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 20 at Landolt Pavillion in Clear Lake Park located on NASA Parkway. This free family event is being hosted by the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership.

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TMC and UTMB news conference video link now available

UTMB is now a full member of the Texas Medical Center, the world’s largest medical complex. See the news conference held on March 2 in Levin Hall that features TMC president Richard E. Wainerdi and President Callender.  Read more . . . 

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Health System Organizational Structure

Donna K. Sollenberger, executive vice president and chief executive officer of the Health System, announced today leadership and structural changes that will position UTMB to respond effectively to challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in our changing health care environment. See the new organizational chart for additional information.

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Professionalism Charter Grant Project – call for Grants

The UTMB Professionalism Committee, in concert with the President’s office, is announcing the third biennial call for the Professional Charter Grant Project.  The Professional Charter Grant is open to the entire UTMB community.  Three to five grants of $5,000 to $10,000 will be awarded to departments to fund initiatives that promote discussion, research and other activities that ensure a culture of professionalism.  For more information, you may contact Ruth Finkelstein at X71247.

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Interprofessional Education Day

The UTMB community is invited to attend Interprofessional Education Day, beginning at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 24 in the Levin Hall Dining Room.  The lecture, “Emergency Preparedness: Response to the H1N1 Pandemic – Challenges and Opportunities”, will be presented by Dr. James LeDuc, deputy director, Galveston National Laboratory and Dr. Rick Pyles, director of the Molecular Epidemiology Laboratory. The lecture is open to all students, faculty, staff and the community. Lunch will be served. Please RSVP to synergy.ipe@utmb.edu by March 12, 2010.  For more information, contact Brandon Hernandez at ext. 20213. 

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UTMB family night with Houston Rockets

UTMB employees are invited to a family night out with the Houston Rockets as they play the New Jersey Nets at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 13 at Toyota Center. Click here for ticket information or contact Cathy Veniegas at 713-758-7231 or cathyv@rocketball.com .

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Call for applications for McLaughlin Fellowships in Infection and Immunity

The James A. McLaughlin Fellowship Fund Committee is requesting new applications for predoctoral and postdoctoral fellowships. Fellowship research must be in the area of infection and immunity. The deadline for submission is 5 p.m., Friday, March, 19, 2010.  Instructions and application forms have been recently updated and are available at The McLaughlin Endowment website. Questions regarding the fellowships and the application process should be directed to McLaughlin.IHII@UTMB.edu.

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Next edition of Impact now available

March is here and so is the next online edition of Impact. Get the scoop on our new state-of-the-art facility at Victory Lakes, share in the experience of extreme volunteering and celebrate 15,700 years of UTMB service – all this and much more!

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Allergy-Asthma-Immunology Service offers special clinic

The Allergy-Asthma-Immunology Service is offering to evaluate patients with a history of egg allergy by careful screening and skin testing. A special clinic will be held every Friday afternoon in the University Hospital Clinic, 5th floor. To schedule an appointment, contact Janice Cavazos at X25652.

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Free commuter option extended through August 2010

UTMB employees will be able to continue to ride the Island Connect park and ride bus between Mall of the Mainland and UTMB for FREE through August 2010. This is a great way to sit back, relax and let someone else do the driving while you save money. Remember, the UTMB Parking Office will hold your parking assignment while you try out this commuter option. Contact the Parking Office at ext. 21581 for questions about how to place parking on hold. For a complete schedule of Island Connect arrival and departure times, please click here.  

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Follow renovation and construction projects across UTMB campus

The Office of Business Operations and Facilities, in conjunction with the Office of Public Affairs, has launched an interactive map designed to provide up-to-date information on renovation and construction projects under way across campus.  Visitors to the site can select buildings on the map to obtain current information about plans for and progress on individual facilities.

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