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Message from the Dean: Aligning to meet strategic goals
Faculty Feedback
Meet the Deans: Molly L. Osborne, MD, PhD
Dr. Hayes-Lattin in DC with Lance Armstrong Foundation
OHSU Representation of Women Report
Report: Clinical Research Forum meeting
Burroughs Wellcome Fund: June 15 deadline
"1887 Society" honors donors
"Social Medicine" curriculum receives award
Emergency medicine research at SAEM
Dr. Anderson appointed Chief of Medicine, PVAMC
Hooding and Commencement
Tobacco-Free Environment by Sept. 17
Upcoming events
Dr. Fields elected President of STFM
Redig receives OHSU Global Service Award
CeDMA honors faculty and students
New Faculty
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May News
Message from Dean Richardson: Aligning to meet strategic goals

Earlier this month, the Dean's office staff participated in a
day-long retreat. One purpose of our offsite gathering was to dig into
a core question: are we optimally organized to meet the strategic goals
of the School of Medicine and
the broader OHSU Vision 2020?
To some extent, our initial discussion tended to circle back to the
current budget situation facing OHSU and the School of Medicine,
linking this to the urgency to reorganize. While this is undoubtedly a
factor, a broader strategic context
on this topic proved more constructive.
One goal of our strategic plans is to integrate our mission areas,
moving from traditional "silos" to a model in which we can take full
advantage of the opportunities and strengths inherent in the overlap
between education, research and
clinical care. I believe that by focusing aggressively on this
strategic goal, we are likely to simultaneously alleviate our fiscal
constraints.
The reorganization of the OHSU Cancer Institute is emblematic of an
integrated model that breaks down unneeded boundaries between our
missions. Under Dr. Brian Druker's leadership and vision, the OHSU
Cancer Institute will take the lead on
consolidating and expanding cancer research, coordinating cancer care,
and directing new efforts throughout the state on screening and
prevention. I anticipate that this model, with the appropriate
centralized administration, will also
help make us more cost-efficient.
While our financial picture is not the main motivating factor to
integrate, partner and prioritize, realism in this regard reinforces
the necessity and inevitability of such fundamental change. Most of us
understand the implications of the
temporary "gap" between cash outlay and revenue generation from the
university's three new buildings and how this has affected the School
of Medicine, however, other factors are also in play.
In the coming years, we will experience a financial impact from changes
to the Oregon Tort Claims Act (OCTA). Since 1967, the OCTA has limited
the dollar amount that an individual can win in a lawsuit against any
Oregon public entity,
including OHSU. The constitutionality of the cap is under review by the
Oregon Supreme Court and the legislature is debating changes to the
OCTA.
We don't know the outcome of these deliberations yet but we do know
that the cap, under any scenario, will be increased. The historical cap
of $200,000 per individual no longer meets a reasonable standard by
anyone's definition, including
our own.
While we anticipate and appreciate a modest increase in state funding
this year, the state's allocation to OHSU and the School of Medicine
has been steadily declining for a decade. In response, the School of
Medicine has accumulated
deferred maintenance needs that can no longer be ignored.
Evaluating the status quo in this strategic and fiscal context was a
goal of the Dean's office retreat. We made progress on envisioning our
future organization, and acknowledged that change was inevitable. An
outcome of our discussion was
articulating anew our core function: service – to learners, to faculty
and to alumni. Going forward, we agreed to develop a plan to ensure
that our form optimally meets this function.
Over the course of the next 12 months, I encourage every unit within
the School of Medicine to also take the time to consider the core
question: are you optimally organized to meet the strategic goals of
the School of Medicine and the
broader OHSU Vision 2020?
Best regards,

Mark Richardson
Faculty Feedback
The Office of the Dean regularly receives questions and comments
from faculty on a variety of topics. We will use the newsletter to
periodically respond to some of these questions, particularly those of
widespread interest or concern or
those that have relevance to faculty satisfaction. Our goal is to
continually improve communications in the School of Medicine. Your
questions and comments are welcome and appreciated. (These questions
are a compilation of multiple
inquiries on the same topics.)
Q: I am a relatively new faculty member and have not been evaluated.
Setting out goals and objectives for my future in an evaluation seems
essential to timely promotion. What can I do about this?
Dean Richardson has recently implemented a requirement that all faculty
members receive annual performance evaluations by their Chairs. Over
time, Chairs will be assisted in this with a standardized evaluation
tool, now under development.
(This was identified as a goal in the School's strategic plan.) Next
year, each department will be asked to provide statistics to the Office
of the Dean about faculty evaluations. To encourage this process, Dean
Richardson has added the
completion of annual faculty evaluations as a performance indicator for
Chairs. In turn, this will be considered as part of the Chair's annual
evaluation conducted by the Dean. For more information, or if this
issue persists in your
department, please contact: Tracey Parsons, Human Resources Director,
parsonst@ohsu.edu.
Q: What is being done to ensure that we recruit more women and support a culturally diverse faculty?
Developing and supporting a diverse faculty and student body is a
central goal of the School's strategic plan and the OHSU 2020 Vision.
There are multiple initiatives underway, but realistically, the process
will take time. Most
immediately, Dr. Ella Booth, Associate Dean for Diversity, is reaching
out to chairs and search committees to provide training on how to
expand recruitment efforts in ways that identify more women and diverse
candidates. President
Robertson recently charged a Diversity Advisory Council to make
recommendations regarding strategies for increasing diversity of
students, faculty and staff. Dr. Booth represents the School on this
Council. For additional information,
please contact Dr. Booth at boothe@ohsu.edu.
Submit your question or comment to: Kathleen McFall, Communications Director, SOM, mcfallka@ohsu.edu.
Meet the Deans: Molly L. Osborne, MD, PhD, Associate Dean for Student Affairs

In her position of Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Molly L.
Osborne, MD, PhD, coordinates and guides medical school students – from
the first day of orientation all the way through Hooding and
Commencement. Dr. Osborne provides
guidance and insight on a range of issues such as family emergencies,
academic or personal concerns, and career advice. She supports students
seeking experiences in community outreach, research and leadership. "I
enjoy helping students
with advising and preparing for their future careers. I really enjoy
meeting with students and discussing their concerns."
Dr. Osborne is Director for the Pulmonary Section of the second year
Circulation course. She serves on multiple committees and has ongoing
meetings maintaining continuity with the Student Health Services,
Minority Affairs, Financial Aid
and Admissions. She chairs the Honors & Awards and Residency
Advisory Committees and serves as Chair of the Ethics and Conflict of
Interest in the American Thoracic Society and as Co-Chair of the
American Board of Internal Medicine
Pulmonary SEP program. In addition, Dr. Osborne is Principal
Investigator for the new OHSU School of Medicine Palliative Care
Education Project. OHSU is one of six sites funded by the Robert Wood
Johnson Foundation to host this
project.
Beginning in November 2006, Dr. Osborne assumed a national leadership
role in the Group on Student Affairs (GSA), one of 13 professional
development groups within the Association of American Medical Colleges
(AAMC). She will serve a
four-year term in leading the AAMC group as Vice Chair, Chair-elect,
Chair and Past Chair.
Dr. Osborne earned her MD and PhD from Colorado University/Health
Sciences Center in Boulder. She holds a joint appointment as Professor
of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, and
she is a senior Scholar in the
OHSU Center for Ethics in Health Care. Dr. Osborne spends about one
third of her time attending at the Veteran Affairs Medical Center in
the Medical Intensive Care Unit and on the Pulmonary Consult Services.
For an overview of the Dean's office organization:
click here.
Dr. Brandon Hayes-Lattin advocates on Capitol Hill with Lance Armstrong Foundation

Brandon Hayes-Lattin, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, was part
of the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) delegation visiting Washington,
DC/Capitol Hill on May 16 to advocate for more aggressive national
investment in resources,
treatment and services for people affected by cancer.
The LAF selected Dr. Hayes-Lattin as one of 200 advocates to
participate in LIVESTRONG Day, a grassroots advocacy initiative to
unite people affected by cancer and to raise awareness about cancer
issues.
Dr. Hayes-Lattin, a cancer survivor himself, is medical director of the
OHSU Cancer Institute's Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) oncology
program, which has been funded by the LAF. Dr. Hayes-Lattin is a member
of the organizing committee
of the Lance Armstrong Foundation's Young Adult Alliance.
"I was honored to join the Lance Armstrong Foundation for LIVESTRONG
Day, and I was glad to have the opportunity to talk to Oregon's
congressional leaders about my personal and professional passion to
make cancer a national priority," said
Dr. Hayes-Lattin.
In the photo: Dr. Hayes-Lattin in Washington DC with the 200 strong delegation and Lance Armstrong.
OHSU Representation of Women Report
Since 2000, the Women in Academic Medicine (WAM) Committee and the
TALENT Program of the School of Medicine have collected information
describing the status of women faculty at OHSU. The 2005-2006 report
was recently issued, including
data on trends in faculty recruitment, promotion, rank and other
indicators for the School of Medicine.
"The new data show that some progress has been made in the last seven
years; however, much remains to be done. I am committed to supporting a
diverse faculty in all respects," said Dean Mark Richardson. "I am
particularly concerned by the
finding that women are not applying for promotion at the same rate as
men. It is important to understand why this is happening, and I will
look to all faculty to help us identify and mitigate these factors."
"The data show that women faculty members are increasingly involved in
the school's Standing Committees. This is very heartening and we hope
this trend continues," said Dr. Ella Booth, Associate Dean for
Diversity.
For the School of Medicine, the report showed that there are there are
56 women who hold the rank of Professor compared to 277 men at that
rank. Fifty-five percent of men are at the rank of Professor or
Associate Professor whereas 31
percent of women are at either of these ranks (MD or PhD faculty only).
In terms of hiring trends, since 2000, the School of Medicine has hired
seven new female Professors compared to 39 male Professors and have
hired 13 female Associate Professors compared to 33 male Associate
Professors. The percentage of
women at the rank of Professor has increased from 10 percent to 12
percent in the past 7 years.
Although women faculty are promoted at a rate similar to men, the
proportion of women at the Assistant and Associate Professor ranks who
apply for promotion is less than the proportion of men who apply.
Women hold 6 of the 19 leadership positions in the SOM (Dean, Associate
Deans and Assistant Deans). At the department level, 2 of 25 chairs are
women and 4 of 51 division chiefs are women.
In the past 5 years, the percentage of women on SOM Standing Committees
has increased from 32 to 50 percent. The proportion of total residents
who are women exceeds the national average in 8 of the 16 residency
programs with at least 9
residents total in the program. The 2006 entering medical school class
is 53 percent women (national average = 48.4 percent, and women
comprise 67 percent of graduate students.
A Town Hall to discuss the results of this report will to be held in the near future.
Report: Clinical Research Forum meeting
Lynne Shinto, ND, MPH, attended this year's annual Clinical Research
Forum meeting in Washington, DC, April 26 and attended the Forum's
Young Investigators Workshop on Clinical Advocacy on April 25. Dr.
Shinto is an Assistant Professor
in the Department of Neurology and the Center for Women's Health
Integrative Medicine Division. Here is her first-hand report from these
events:
"The biggest impact message during the day I attended this meeting was
that the NIH ‘doubling' days are over and probably will not return.
2008 government funding for research was outlined as the follows:
1. Decrease in NIH by 1.7%
2. Decrease in CDC by 4.4%
3. Increase in AHRQ by 3.9%
The good news is that with the increase in AHRQ funding there may be a
little more money for health services and outcomes research, the bad
news is obvious.
Elias Zerhouni, MD, Director of NIH, gave a 45 minute talk outlining
NIH emphasis areas and funding priorities (listed on NIH roadmap).
Emphasis Areas: Microbiome; Inflammation; Phenotyping; Proteome; Epigenetics.
Funding Priorities: Training for Young Investigators; Retaining
Promising New Investigators; Translational Research; Clinical Outcomes
Research.
Dr. Zerhouni's overriding message was quite clear - for Academic Health
Centers to continue growth in research they cannot continue to rely on
NIH as their major support. This includes maintaining promising New
Investigators.
NIH has identified two ‘vulnerable' points for young investigators. The
first is the transition from postdoc to training as an independent
researcher for which the K23 and K99/R00 awards were created. The
second is the transition from
mentored independent research (K23) to the first independent award
(R01). For this second transition phase the NIH has developed two new
awards: 1) the New Innovator Award will support new investigators that
have not yet attained an RO1
and will fund up to $1.5 million in direct costs over 5 yrs; 2) NIH
Director's Bridge Award which will support new investigators that have
submitted their first R01 but have just missed the payline.
As these awards are limited and highly competitive, Dr. Zerhouni
strongly encouraged Academic Health Centers to find non-NIH resources
to help support promising new investigators. The hope is that with NIH
and non-NIH support, new
investigators can flourish and direct the next generation of clinical
research.
One such funding source for new investigators, The Burroughs Wellcome Fund, www.bwfund.org, has two awards:
1.Clinical Scientist Award in Translational Research which would be a post-K23 award; funds up to $750,000 over 5 years.
2. Career Award for Medical Scientists (modeled after NIH K99/R00); funds up to $700,000 over 5 years.
As a new investigator (starting year 4 of my K23 award) I found these
talks very sobering. I can't help being concerned about a future career
in clinical research with such limited resources available. I am
wondering if we could create
some type of forum at OHSU to discuss and find solutions to some of the
issues summarized above.
Young Investigator's Workshop on Clinical Research Advocacy, April 25th
This workshop had two aims:
1. To inform young clinical investigators about the importance of research advocacy.
Lesson learned: research dollars do not fall from trees, especially NIH
funding. To continue innovative and high level research, investigators
need to be actively engaged in promoting the importance of research to
the public.
2.To impart tools to help young investigators become better advocates.
- Communication: the ‘one minute' message, clear and concise communication.
- Media: know local media, know media support at institution.
- Write Editorials/Op Eds.
- Know local and state legislators.
Comment: Many of the tools that were presented at the workshop are not
‘intuitive' to clinical researchers. It may be worthwhile to invite
Research!America to OHSU to present a similar type workshop to both
medical students and
researchers.
In closing, I would like to add that OHSU received a lot of positive
feedback from other members of the CRF on OHSU's receiving the CTSA.
Although I had no part putting the CTSA application together, it was
nice basking in the ‘glow' by
association."
***
The Clinical Research Forum is an organization comprised of 55 of the
nation's academic health centers whose goal is to sustain and expand a
cadre of talented, well-trained clinical investigators at all stages of
career development. The
mission of the Forum is to provide leadership to the national clinical
and translational research enterprise and promote understanding and
support for clinical research and its impact on health and health care.
OHSU is a member of the
Forum.
Dr. Shinto can be contacted at shintol@ohsu.edu.
Burroughs Wellcome Fund opportunity: June 15 deadline
The Burroughs Wellcome Fund announced a funding opportunity for
clinical scientists with an MD or MD/PhD focused on translational
research. This program supports established independent
physician-scientists who are dedicated to
translational research. The program helps protect award recipients'
time to pursue the vital link between basic and clinical research.
The program aims to identify and reward proven mentors and to increase
their capacity to train the next generation of investigators skilled in
translational research. While BWF accepts applications from a wide
range of departments, they
particularly encourage applications in the area of reproductive science
and those from women and traditionally under represented groups.
This opportunity requires internal coordination since the university
may only submit a limited number of applications. If you intend to
apply, complete a limited submission form before the internal deadline
of June 15.
For more information:
click here.
"1887 Society" honors donors

The 1887 Society, a School of Medicine's prestigious donor group,
recently held its annual Donor Recognition Event on the OHSU campus.
Guests were invited on coach tours and student-led walking tours of the
campus and tram rides,
finishing the day with a reception to celebrate the School of Medicine
in the Old Library Great Hall.
The 1887 Society recognizes donors to the School of Medicine of
unrestricted gifts of $1,000 or more, made on an annual basis. These
gifts provide the Dean with the flexibility to address to most pressing
needs of the School or to take
advantage of unique, often time-sensitive, opportunities to enhance the
education programs.
Dean Richardson took the opportunity of the annual event to thank the
members for their tremendous support, and announced that their gifts
were being used to purchase computer equipment for the students' study
center as well as other
projects that directly support the medical and graduate students.
For more information on the 1887 Society, please see the School's
website or contact Jill Smith, Director of Annual Giving, at (503)
494-0748 or smithjil@ohsu.edu.
"Social Medicine" curriculum receives award
The four individuals primarily responsible for creating the
innovative Social Medicine Curriculum were honored with the Northwest
Regional Primary Care Association's (NWRPCA) 2007 Award of Excellence.
The award honors a demonstrated
excellence and commitment to community and migrant health.
The Social Medicine Curriculum is a collaboration between Central City
Concern (CCC) and the Division of General Internal Medicine and
Geriatrics in the Department of Medicine. Established in 1979, CCC is a
nonprofit agency working to end
homelessness in the Portland metro area.
The curriculum rotates residents through CCC's Old Town Clinic – a
primary care clinic serving mostly homeless and low income patients.
Residents learn how to better recognize and accommodate the unique
social factors that can impact the
health of homeless individuals. Simultaneously, the model expands
clinical capacity at the Clinic by bringing in new providers.
The four individuals singled out for recognition are: Ted Amann, MPH,
RN, Director of Health Care and Improvement, CCC; Judith Bowen, MD,
Professor of Medicine, and Division Head; Jessica Gregg, MD, PhD,
Assistant Professor of Medicine;
and, Rachel Solotaroff, MD, Medical Director, CCC, Instructor.
The awards were presented in conjunction with the Spring Primary Care Conference in Portland at the Membership Luncheon May 22.
Emergency medicine research attracts media
Faculty members from the Department of Emergency Medicine presented
research at the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) annual
meeting in Chicago in May. OHSU tied with Massachusetts General
Hospital and the University of
Ottawa for the most scientific presentations at SAEM.
One study, presented by Craig Newgard, MD, Assistant Professor,
analyzed crash data for more than 65,000 front-seat occupants and found
that airbags, while effective for people of medium stature (5'3" to
5'11") were harmful to people
smaller than 4'11" and taller than 6'3". The study received
international media attention including a Reuters article that ran in
multiple newspapers across the nation (e.g., the Atlanta Journal
Constitution and the New York Post), a
Scientific American podcast, an article on WebMD.com and one on
WashingtonPost.com, among others.
Another study prompted the Portland Tribune, KLCC-radio, KEX-radio and
the Depoe Bay Beacon to interview Rob Hendrickson, MD, Assistant
Professor, about the first prospective analysis of the burden of
methamphetamines on emergency
departments. The study analyzed data from all ED visits during a
20-week time period last spring. These visits accounted for an average
of $133,212 in weekly hospital charges, or an estimated annual cost of
$6.9 million.
In an another study, Dan Handel, MD, MPH, found that use of the
emergency department by Oregon Medicaid enrollees is much less than
suspected. Anecdotal evidence had suggested use of the ED to be a
substantial driver of Medicaid costs;
however, Handel's study found ED usage accounted for only 6.8 percent
of Medicaid spending. A study presented by Robert Lowe, MD, MPH,
Associate Professor and Director of the OHSU Center for Policy Research
in Emergency Medicine, analyzed
whether the previously-developed tool called the "Emergency Department
Algorithm" could accurately detect changes in ED usage following
cutbacks to the Oregon Health Plan. This research was covered by
American Medical News, the Portland
Tribune and Business Journal, among others.
Information provided by OHSU News and Publications.
Associate Dean Sharon Anderson, MD, appointed Chief of Medicine, PVAMC
Sharon Anderson, MD, has accepted an appointment as Chief of
Medicine at the Portland VA Medical Center effective June 24. Dr.
Anderson is currently Associate Dean of Faculty Development and Faculty
Affairs in the School of Medicine.
Dr. Anderson is also Professor of Medicine (Nephrology and
Hypertension) and Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs in the Department of
Medicine.
"I congratulate Dr. Anderson in her new appointment. We will miss the
enthusiasm and energy Dr. Anderson brings to her position in faculty
development in the School of Medicine but I have no doubt about the
great leadership and vision she
will now bring to this new position," said Mark Richardson, MD, MBA,
dean of the School of Medicine.
Dr. Anderson will remain affiliated with the Office of the Dean.
Hooding and Commencement
The School of Medicine Hooding Ceremony will be held on June 8, 9:30
a.m. at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in downtown Portland. A
reception for graduates, family and faculty will immediately follow the
ceremony at the Performing
Arts Center (across from the Schnitzer Concert Hall).
The OHSU Commencement Exercises will be held on June 8 at 5:00 p.m. at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
OHSU to become Tobacco-Free Environment on Sept. 17
The proposed Tobacco-Free Environment policy will become effective
on Sept. 17, 2007. The policy will apply to everyone while they are at
any Portland-area OHSU facility or on OHSU grounds. There will no
longer be designated smoking
area for employees, patients or visitors. The policy covers all
Portland-area property owned or leased and occupied by OHSU.
Central to this initiative is a commitment to support employees,
students, patients and visitors in quitting tobacco, if they choose, or
in managing their cravings during the time they spend at OHSU. In
preparation for moving to a
tobacco-free environment, OHSU has expanded benefits for employees and
students who use tobacco.
For information about the new policy, please go to: www.ohsu.edu/tobaccofree
Upcoming events
Career Series - Work-family Interface in Academic Medicine: Challenges and Strategies for Succeeding, June 1
"Balance" between children, work, household chores and family time is
hard enough when parents have stable, predictable work schedules. But
what happens when mom is also a doctor or scientist?
Please come to a panel discussion with several distinguished OHSU
faculty who are also mothers maintaining active family lives. Learn how
these women have struggled and succeeded with their choices combining
work and raising children. As
faculty productivity and vitality depend on institutional commitment to
well-being, the goal is to explore what practical resources exist at
OHSU and discuss what OHSU can do to build more support for individuals
striving for more
work-family balance.
Date: Friday June 1st, at 12-1:30 p.m. in Mackenzie Hall, Room 1162.
LUNCH PROVIDED!
RSVP: Brian Secrest; secrestb@ohsu.edu, 4-6055.
Doernbecher Children's Miracle Network Telethon – June 2, 3
The Doernbecher Children's Miracle Network Telethon is a live broadcast
that raises funds and awareness for Doernbecher. The national segment,
airing Saturday, June 2, includes appearances by celebrities and
entertainment. The local
portion of the broadcast, airing Sunday, June 3, recognizes Doernbecher
patients' families, doctors, nurses, fund-raising groups and donors.
This year's telethon airs on KGW Northwest NewsChannel 8. Each year the
Telethon raises significant funds and awareness for the children at
Doernbecher. More than 100 volunteers donate their time and energy to
make the Telethon a success.
Over $5.5 million was raised from our generous viewers, sponsors and
volunteers during the 2006 Telethon.
Saturday, June 2 & Sunday, June 3
1-5 p.m.
School of Medicine, Cancer Institute members at upcoming Oregon Cancer Summit – June 8
The Oregon Cancer Summit on June 8, sponsored by the Oregon Partnership
for Cancer Control, is a one day conference entitled "Moving Upstream:
Collaborating to Enhance Cancer Prevention, Early Detection &
Survivorship." The intended
audience is providers (especially primary care physicians), public and
private organizations and survivors.
Four OHSU speakers are participating:
Brandon Hayes-Lattin, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, School of Medicine, OHSU Cancer Institute member
Elizabeth Steiner, MD, Associate Director, Breast Health Education Program, OHSU Cancer Institute member
Kerri Winters-Stone, PhD, Assistant Professor and Associate Scientist, School of Nursing, OHSU Cancer Institute member
Lawrence Wolff, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, School of Medicine
For agenda, RSVP and Exhibitor form:
click here.
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