February SOM News

Regionalization Update

In response to Oregon's looming physician shortage and the mal-distribution of physicians within the state, the School of Medicine plans to expand its medical education program by developing satellite sites. The first regional program is slated for Eugene and is being developed in collaboration with the University of Oregon and PeaceHealth's Sacred Heart Medical Center. On February 6, representatives from OHSU, UO and PeaceHealth met in Eugene to determine the next steps in forming an effective educational collaborative. The following bullet points offer a brief update regarding regional expansion.

• The SOM plans to increase its entering class size from the current 112 to 160 students over the next six years and will enroll 120 students on the Marquam Hill Campus in fall 2006.
  
• The satellite focus in Eugene will not be a second medical school; rather, medical school course work at the University of Oregon will be offered under OHSU School of Medicine's accredited status with the LCME, and curriculum and admissions program oversight will remain the responsibility of the School of Medicine.
  
• The Eugene site will offer some clinical clerkships within the PeaceHealth/Oregon Region system beginning in '06–'07, and in 2008 will offer the first-year medical school curriculum at UO. Plans call for a class of 10 first-year medical students to matriculate in the regional program at UO and as many as 40 students per class by 2010.
  
• The Eugene campus will provide the first-year curriculum for students in the regional program. For all students, the second year of the medical school curriculum will be offered only at the OHSU Marquam Hill Campus.
  
• No resources will be diverted from the current program to support the regional program; no courses are being outsourced.
  
• Even when the long-term goal of a new medical school facility on the Schnitzer Campus at the South Waterfront is realized and an increased enrollment of medical students can be trained in Portland, the regional campuses will remain an important element in educating Oregon's future physicians, especially for rural practice.
  
• In 2005 the School of Medicine received a $1.5 million grant from the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation to support program development for the Eugene initiative and the regionalization of medical education through a collaborative process.
  

Center for Health & Healing, One of World's Greenest Buildings

OHSU's first building at the South Waterfront is on track to be the largest building ever to achieve platinum status under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standard. Only14 buildings in the world have earned LEED platinum rating. The Center for Health & Healing will be one of the most environmentally friendly buildings in the nation and perhaps the greenest large-scale health and bioscience building in the world. The 16-story Center will house 400,000 square feet of physician practices, outpatient surgery, a wellness center, research labs and educational space. The OHSU Medical Group, comprised of SOM faculty physicians, is OHSU's partner in developing the building.

The building's innovative energy-saving features include the first large-scale, onsite micro-turbine plant in Oregon, which will generate about 35 percent of the building's electricity; natural ventilation; displacement ventilation; radiant cooling; and the first use of chilled beams to replace air-conditioning in a large building in the United States. Eco-roofs on terraces, water efficient fixtures and appliances, and the use of sustainable and regional materials in construction round out the building's environmentally friendly features. The building is 61 percent more energy efficient than required by Oregon code and LEED standards; uses 56 percent less potable water than a comparable conventional building; and has 100 percent on-site sewage treatment, reducing by 15,000 gallons each day the amount of water that reaches the city's combined sewer system. The system will flush only about 1 percent of the solids that would normally be sent into the city sewer system from a conventional building.

The $145 million Center for Health & Healing anchors the university's presence in the South Waterfront Central District. Eight of its floors are devoted to physician practices, surgery and imaging across a wide range of specialties and programs, including dermatology, family medicine, internal medicine, spine, neurology, neurosurgery, cardiology, oncology, surgical oncology, digestive health, ENT, plastic surgery, physical therapy, ophthalmology, urology and fertility. Four floors (almost 100,000 square feet) are devoted to research, including cancer and cardiology research, OHSU's General Clinical Research Center and biomedical engineering laboratories.

"March," a comprehensive health and wellness center that will include a full gymnasium, a four-lane lap pool, a therapy pool, cardio and weight training areas, multipurpose studios and a day spa, will occupy two floors. The ground floor will house retail space, including a pharmacy, optical shop and cafe. A three-story underground parking garage will provide 500 new parking spaces for patients.

On-line SOM Communication Submission Form

A communication submission form is now available on the SOM website and can be accessed from the SOM homepage (click "General Information" on the homepage menu, then click "Communication Submission" in the general information menu) or at http://www.ohsu.edu/som/dean/general/info_submission.shtml.
The form is designed as a tool for faculty to submit information about research and discoveries to be shared with colleagues, the OHSU community, the media, or the community at large.

The goal of this new communication effort is to increase internal and external coverage of SOM basic and clinical research, to determine key messages and identify the optimum messaging vehicle(s), and to better place biomedical research into the framework of translational research through focus on basic science and clinical science research links. Please submit your research story ideas via the communication form.

2006 Benson-Kendall Lecture

Jordan J. Cohen, M.D., President of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), delivered the 2006 Benson-Kendall lecture on February 7, 2006, in the OHSU Old Library Auditorium. If you missed the lecture, entitled "Twenty-first Century Challenges for Medical Education," and would like an opportunity to view it, you may borrow a taped version from the front desk in the Dean's Office.

OHSU Hosts Successful International Health Conference

OHSU's Global Health Alliance hosted the Fourth Annual Western Regional International Health Conference, February 17 - 19, at OHSU, with more than 750 attendees. "Health, Human Rights & Economics: The Value of Human Life" examined the influence of economics and human rights on global health, and explored cooperative partnerships for productive solutions to global health problems. Content areas included Disasters and Development; Women's and Children's Health; Disease, Inequity and Human Rights; Environmental Health; Dynamics of Policy and Poverty; and Immigrant, Refugee and Displacement Health. Thank you and congratulations are due to the OHSU students whose hard work resulted in a very successful conference!

Faculty Mentors Needed

The Equity Summer Research Program has received over 40 competitive applications from disadvantaged undergraduates seeking summer placement in research laboratories. Faculty interested in mentoring a student may contact equity@ohsu.edu.

SOM Hooding and Commencement

SOM Hooding and Commencement Ceremonies will be held on Friday, June 2, 2006, at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. The Hooding Ceremony will be from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m., with a reception following at the Performing Arts Center. Faculty should plan to arrive at 8:45 a.m. and enter through the Park Blocks Door. Regalia are required and can be purchased online at http://www.Royaltpapers.com.

OHSU Commencement will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Faculty should plan to arrive with regalia by 4:00 p.m.

New Women's Health Web Resource

The OHSU Center of Excellence in Women's Health has launched a new information source, the OHSU CoE Bulletin Board. Posted information is from the Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health, supplemented with regional and local notices. The Bulletin Board features Events & Announcements, Funding Opportunities, and Resources. To access the Bulletin Board go to: http://www.ohsuwomenshealth.com/coe/ and click on the CoE Bulletin Board in the upper right hand corner. If you would like to post information on the Bulletin Board, please contact Marjorie McGee, CoE Coordinator at 503 494-2685, or email at mcgeem@ohsu.edu.

Respect at the University Reminder

Despite multiple reminders from the AA/EO Department of OHSU's Integrity Office, approximately 800 OHSU employees have not completed the "Respect at the University" on-line course. Everyone at OHSU must complete the course. Unless the course is completed, the individual will either lose his/her computer access or alternatively be disciplined, up to and including termination.

Faculty in the News

GME Distinguished Service Awards. The ACGME requires careful oversight of graduate medical education, much of which is provided by resident or faculty members of the Graduate Medical Education Committee. The workload is significant, and some individuals go far beyond basic expectations. GME greatly appreciates the dedication and commitment of these colleagues. In recognition of extraordinary contributions, the Division of Graduate Medical Education this year created the Distinguished Service Awards for faculty and residents.

The following residents and faculty members are 2005 recipients of GME Distinguished Service Awards: (Residents) Karin Jacobsen, MD, Department of Family Medicine; Matthew Hunt, MD, Department of Neurological Surgery; Peder Horner, MD, Department of Radiology; and Tammy Carpenter, MD, Department of Anesthesiology. (Faculty) Paul Lakin, MD, Department of Radiology; Dick Allen, MD, Dean's Office; Andy Lauer, MD, Department of Ophthalmology; Karen Adams, MD, Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology; Don Rosen, MD, Department of Psychiatry; Patrick Brunett, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine; Joe Gilhooly, MD, Department of Pediatrics; and Mick Scanlan, MD, Department of Pathology.

American Red Cross honors Dana Braner, M.D. The American Red Cross, Oregon Trail Chapter, will honor Dana Braner, M.D., at its annual Fred Meyer Breakfast of Champions, Tuesday, March 14. Dr. Braner, a pediatric intensivist and medical director of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Doernbecher Children's Hospital, is one of seven heroes to be recognized.

Following the devastating tsunami of December 26, 2004, Dr. Braner raced to the aid of Indonesian children whose lives were threatened by lack of health care services. He volunteered for nearly two months aboard Project Hope's U.S.N.S. Mercy, one of two ex-super tankers converted into floating hospitals. Braner was one of 210 medical volunteers from around the world who evaluated and treated more than 49,500 patients and performed more than 97,000 medical procedures aboard the Mercy during its four-month mission to bring life-saving health care to the people of Indonesia.

Eight months later, when Hurricane Katrina struck, Dr. Braner again volunteered to help young victims of disaster. He was recruited by Project HOPE to lead a humanitarian aid mission aboard the U.S. Navy hospital ship, the U.S.N.S. Comfort. As medical director, Braner oversaw more than 80 medical volunteers from across the United States in addressing the public health issues arising from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. For six weeks, Braner and volunteers worked alongside their Navy counterparts to care for hurricane survivors.

Kevin Billingsley, M.D. and Karen Deveney, M.D., receive national awards. Kevin Billingsley, M.D., Hedinger Associate Professor of Surgery and head of the Division of Surgical Oncology, is one of two Oregon surgeons ever to receive the James IV Traveling Scholar Award from the James IV Association of Surgeons, Inc. John Hunter, M.D., Mackenzie Professor and Chairman of the Department of Surgery, received the award while at Emory School of Medicine. Each year a handful of surgeons from around the world are presented with the Traveling Scholar Award, which enables them to travel to other countries, exchanging surgical knowledge while forming social and professional ties. Dr. Billingsley specializes in the surgical treatment of cancer of the pancreas, liver and colorectum. His research interests include gastrointestinal cancer clinical trials and outcomes.
Karen Deveney, M.D., professor of surgery and director of the surgery residency program has been awarded the Parker J. Palmer Courage to Teach Award by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). She is one of 10 faculty nationwide to be honored. The award is given based on the recommendations of residents and fellow faculty. The recipient must show a commitment to education and be an exemplary teacher and role model. Dr. Deveney specializes in colon, rectal and gastrointestinal surgery. Her research interests include inflammatory bowel disease, medical education and colon cancer.

Portland Monthly's "Best Doctors." The following SOM faculty members were included as in the January issue of Portland Monthly magazine's listing of the Portland area's best doctors. OHSU is proud of the recognition provided to these academic leaders and many others who practice, previously practiced or were trained at OHSU:

-- Jeffrey Koh (peds anesthesiology) -- Jeffrey Kirsch (anesthesiology) -- Crispin Davies (cardiology) -- Paul Droukas (peds cardiology) -- Mark Reller (peds cardiology) -- Robin Shaughnessy (peds cardiology) -- Alfons Krol (dermatology) -- Lynne Morrison (dermatology) -- Frank Parker (dermatology) -- Frances Storr (dermatology) -- Marc Gosselin (radiology) -- Jerris Hedges (emergency medicine) -- Dana Braner (pediatric ICU) -- Andrew Ahmann (diabetes) -- David Cook (endocrinology) -- Bruce Boston (peds endocrinology) -- Mark Bajorek (family medicine -- James Chestnutt (family medicine) -- Patrice Eiff (family medicine) -- LJ Fagnan (family medicine) -- Scott Fields (family medicine) -- John Saultz (family medicine) -- Eric Walsh (family medicine) -- Douglas Faigel (gastroenterology) -- Brian Fennerty (gastroenterology) -- David Lieberman (gastroenterology) -- Glenn Gourley (peds gastroenterology) -- Annie Terry (peds gastroenterology) -- Charles Blanke (heme/onc) -- Thomas Deloughery (heme/onc) -- Brian Druker (heme/onc) -- Craig Nichols (heme/onc) -- Stacy Nicholson (peds heme/onc) -- Greg Thomas (peds heme/onc) -- David Tilford (peds heme/onc) -- Deborah Lewinsohn (peds infectious diseases) -- Sima Desai (internist) -- Don Girard (internist) -- Alan Hunger (internist) -- Joe Gilhooly (neonatologist) -- Linda Wallen (neonatologist) -- David Ellison (nephrology) -- David Rozansky (peds nephrology) -- Dennis Bourdette (neurology) -- John Nutt (neurology)

-- Amy Kao (peds neurology) -- Thomas Koch (peds neurology) -- Colin Roberts (peds neurology) -- Joanna Cain (OB/GYN) -- Catherine Leclair (OB/GYN) -- Mark Nichols (OB/GYN) -- Kelly Chung (CEI) -- David Wilson (CEI) -- Peter Andersen (ENT) -- James Cohen (ENT) -- Henry Milczuk (peds ENT) -- Mark Richardson (peds ENT) -- Cynthia Ferrell (peds) -- Joseph Zenel (peds) -- Hans Carlson (PM&R) -- Nels Carlson (PM&R) -- Juliana Hansen (plastic surgery) -- George Keepers (psychiatry) -- Mark Chestnutt (Med ICU) -- Vandy Sherbin (Med ICU) -- Michael Powers (peds pulm) -- Gary Nesbitt (radiology/neurosurgery) -- Katharine Hopkins (radiology) -- Atulya Deodhar (rheumatology) -- James Rosenbaum (CEI/rheumatology) -- Kevin Billingsley (surgical onc) -- Cliff Deveney (surgery) -- John Hunter (surgery) -- Brett Sheppard (surgery) -- Mark Silen (peds surgery) -- Irving Shen (CT surgery) -- Matthew Slater (CT surgery) -- Ross Ungerleider (CT surgery) -- Karen Deveney (colorectal surgery) -- Johnny Delashaw (neurosurgery) -- Nathan Selden (peds neurosurgery) -- Kim Burchiel (neurosurgery) -- Tomas Ellis (orthopedics) -- Ted Vigeland (orthopedics) -- Jung Yoo (orthopedics) -- Ron Turker (peds orthopedics) -- John Barry (urology) -- Michael Conlin (urology) -- Eugene Fuchs (urology) -- Steven Skoog (peds urology)