`What`s Next for the Dream?` A new leader for HR

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U n i v e r s i t y
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M a s s a c h u s e t t s
M e d i c a l
February 2005
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Vo l . 7 | N o . 7
‘What’s Next for the Dream?’
Martin Luther King had a dream for equality. Central to achieving equality is helping
others realize their potential. During the panel discussion, “What’s Next for the
Dream?”, presented in celebration of Dr. King’s birthday last month, three individuals
from different backgrounds – yet who each call UMMS home – emphasized King’s message as they described their own efforts to further equal opportunity.
Associate Dean for Community
of molecular medicine, told the story of
Programs Mick Huppert, MPH,
a “skinny Jamaican kid,” mentored by
describes his current work as “bridging
three exceptional scientists, including
the Medical School to the community
Nobel Prize-winner Harold Varmus, MD,
and vice versa.” His chosen path was
at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer
directed by a sense of fairness he learned
Center. “This kid – me – was seen by
growing up on his family’s farm. But
them as deserving of mentoring, though
soon he also developed a sense of “right-
they had no incentive to do so, beyond
eous indignation” after working in
the fact that they saw potential,”
poverty-stricken Appalachia, protesting
explained Dr. Lewis. “Unfortunately, sto-
against the Vietnam War and finally
ries like mine are rare. We must create
settling in Worcester, where he was
an environment where all people feel
impelled to co-found a health center at
they can maximize their potential.”
From left to right: Panelists Mick Huppert, MPH, Brian Lewis, PhD, and
medical student Jean Marcelin are introduced by Associate Vice Chancellor
for School Services Deborah Harmon Hines, PhD, at the annual Tribute to the
Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
{
“We must create an environment
Great Brook Valley. Huppert offered
Educated as a youngster in Haiti
suggestions for what each person can do
before returning to the U.S. to attend
for another, including practice the
college, Jean Marcelin ’05 said he found
“Marian Wright Edelman solution” by
no shame is taking advantage of the
keeping in mind her adage that commu-
opportunities for which King and others
nity service is the rent you pay while
fought. “Even though I was given the
to his own children. “Everybody here
living in your community and advocate
opportunity to learn, I still had to do the
can help one person. And the best you
for the uninsured in health care.
work. The last thing I would do is not
can give another is your character and
take it seriously.” Marcelin is an example
the benefit of your good attitude.” ■
Brian Lewis, PhD, assistant professor
where all people feel they can maximize their potential.”
}
to the high school students he tutors and
A new leader for HR
Whether building complex computer networks or educating the next generation of
health care professionals, any institution’s key to success relies upon the recruitment,
retention and development of its workforce. As a seasoned human resources leader
who appreciates the importance of creating a productive and fulfilled workforce,
Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources Joanne Derr looks forward to adapting her expertise gained in a number of high technology corporations to suit the
unique needs of an education and research environment. “I am very excited to be working in a nonprofit, higher education environment where our ‘product’ positively affects
people’s health and their lives,” Derr said.
Appointed to this vital UMMS leader-
overall program “Workplace Learning
ship role in November, Derr is guided by
and Performance.” With the goal to
the principle that an in-depth knowl-
improve performance through more tai-
edge of the Medical School’s various
lored training experiences, Workplace
units – coupled with the use of advanced
Learning and Performance will enhance
and consistent HR technology and per-
existing staff and management programs
ing business where she designed and
sonal credibility on the part of each HR
by identifying “core” skills and offerings,
delivered communications courses and
professional – facilitates the delivery of
adding leadership programs and offer-
orientation programs, and established
high quality human resource services.
ing custom training such as Customer
merger and acquisition processes.
Using these principles, Derr looks for-
Service. Derr and her team plan to
Before starting her consulting company,
ward to developing Human Resources
complete the redesign by May.
Derr – who received her master’s degree
into a strategic contributor to the
Medical School.
“I want UMass Medical School to be a
in vocational and rehabilitational
place where all employees are doing
counseling from Boston University –
Associate Vice Chancellor for
Human Resources Joanne Derr
News Makers
now online!
Derr and her team have already begun
great work that they are passionate
worked
program and process redesign, after
about; have a solid manager who under-
Bay Networks, Digital Equipment
To learn what faculty
soliciting feedback on the current state
stands and appreciates their unique
Corporation and the Massachusetts
experts are saying about
of the institution from a variety of depart-
skills and motivations; are surrounded
Rehabilitation Commission. ■
ments and analyzing the results of vari-
by talented co-workers whom they
the topics making today’s
ous employee surveys. One initiative that
respect; and feel connected to the
For more from Joanne Derr and information
local, state and national
Derr looks forward to with particular
UMMS mission,” she said.
on a number of HR initiatives and
headlines, visit
programs, see the Focus on HR insert in
www.umassmed.edu/pap/
enthusiasm is reinvigorating professional
Prior to joining the Medical School,
development offerings, renaming the
Derr managed a coaching and consult-
for
Nortel
Networks,
this newsletter.
Newsmakers/. When
appropriate, the page will
also list upcoming UMMS
expert appearances in
What’s Inside
print, TV and radio venues.
February 20 05
2
A different view
3
Student interests
N e w s
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New thinking on the source of gastric cancer
Slide courtesy of JeanMarie Houghton, MD, PhD
A UMMS study, recently published in the journal Science, provides a radically different view of the origins of gastric cancers. JeanMarie Houghton, MD, PhD, an
assistant professor of medicine and cancer biology at UMMS, and colleagues
identified a clear and unexpected link between stomach cancer and bone marrow-derived cells.
{
Dr. Houghton specifically found
stomach as the source of tumors.
that infection with Helicobacter felis (a
Houghton and colleagues discovered
bacterium related to H.pylori that has
in mouse models that it is the BMDCs
long been understood to cause chron-
themselves that form cancers. “We
ic inflammation and cancer in the lin-
show that bone marrow-derived stem
ing of the stomach) leads to the influx
cells participate in normal repair but,
“If this model applies to human
cancer, we will need to revise our approaches
to prevention and treatment.”
}
The dark areas shown are bone marrow-derived cells in the glands of stomach tissue and make up the majority of the cells within gastric tumors.
control once mutated.
of bone marrow-derived stem cells as
under conditions of inflammation,
the environment is damaged; there,
the body tries to repair the damage
are unable to behave normally and
BMDCs mutate and begin to progress
Gastric cancers kill approximately
caused by the bacterial infection.
instead progress towards cancer,”
toward cancer. Properties of BMDCs
12,000 people in the U.S. each year.
Houghton and colleagues showed
explained Houghton. “If this model
include the capacity for unlimited
However, in developing countries
that this flood of bone marrow-
applies to human cancer, we will need
growth, an ability to avoid cell death
where H. pylori infection is more com-
derived stem cells (BMDCs) initiate
to revise our approaches to preven-
signals, low requirements for growth
mon, the toll is far greater — nearly
repair but, in the abnormal inflamma-
tion and treatment.”
tory environment, can actually spark
factors and an ability to form support-
600,000 worldwide. Houghton’s work
BMDCs have the ability to develop
ive blood vessels — properties of can-
is expected to spur further research
into any tissue type but, to do so,
cer cells as well. These inherent quali-
into other epithelial-based cancers,
Previous studies have focused on
require the right environment and
ties give stem cells a significant growth
such as breast, pancreatic and
damaged epithelial cells that line the
right signals. In the infected stomach,
advantage and make them difficult to
colon cancers. ■
stomach cancer tumors.
Appointments announced
Treistman to serve as new Brudnick director
Steven N. Treistman, PhD, an internationally recognized researcher on the
achievements infocus
molecular basis of the effects of alcohol on the brain, has been appointed the
new director of the Irving S. and Betty Brudnick
Neuropsychiatric Research Institute. Dr. Treistman,
who most recently served as interim director and as
■ Robert A. Baldor, MD, professor of family medicine & community health, was a visiting
professor and vice chair of the Department of
professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine last month, serving as a
Neurobiology, will become professor of psychiatry
liaison for its headache curriculum project. In that capacity, Dr. Baldor gave a presentation
titled, “Helping Educators Address the Development of Appropriate Curriculum for
Headache Education.”
and will retain his role as director of the
Graduate School of Biomedical Science’s Program
in Neuroscience.
■ Michael H. Brodsky, PhD, assistant professor of molecular medicine, recently received a
New Scholar Award in Aging for 2004 from the Ellison Medical Foundation for his research
titled “Epigenetic Regulation of Drosophila Telomere Protection.” Neal Silverman, PhD, was
also recognized by the Ellison Medical Foundation with a New Scholar Award in Global
Opened in 2000, the Brudnick Institute was
established by UMMS with support from the
Massachusetts Department of Mental Health and the generous contributions of
Infectious Disease for 2004 for his research titled, “Using Drosophila to Elucidate the
Betty and the late Irving S. Brudnick, after whom the facility is named. The
Mechanisms of Pathogenesis: Genetic and Molecular Dissection of Signal Inhibition by Yersinia
Institute’s mission is to advance knowledge of the causes, treatment and preven-
Virulence Factor YopJ.”
tion of mental disorders, including substance abuse, through its neuroscience
■ The National Committee for Quality Assurance and the American Diabetes Association
research. In addition to its laboratories, the Institute includes the Center for
recently honored Lucy M. Candib, MD, professor of family medicine & community health, for
Comparative Neuroimaging, where cutting-edge research is performed using
her program of medical care, patient education, group support, nutrition and exercise for dia-
functional imaging of the brain.
betic patients who access care at the Family Health Center of Worcester.
■ Alan P. Farwell, MD, associate professor of medicine, has been named a director of the
Knight named GSBS associate dean
Executive Council of the American Thyroid Association, the leading professional society of
Kendall L. Knight, PhD, associate professor of biochemistry & molecular phar-
physicians and researchers who specialize in diseases of the thyroid gland.
macology, has been named associate dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical
Sciences. In this newly established position, Dr.
■ Jerry H. Gurwitz, MD, the Dr. John Meyers Professor of Primary Care Medicine, was recently appointed to the Institute of Medicine Drug Safety Committee, created to fulfill the Institute
of Medicine’s mandate by Congress to carry out “the comprehensive study of drug safety and
quality issues in order to provide a blueprint for systemwide change.”
Knight will focus on the needs of the graduate
students from the admissions process through the
rigors of the first-year curriculum. Specifically, the
office will help GSBS students navigate the rota-
■ Joseph R. Stenger, MD, assistant professor of family medicine & community health, was
honored with an award of excellence for his “outstanding contribution to primary care education” at the Medical School’s annual Generalist Physician Initiative dinner on November 15.
tions required early in the program and then help
them transition into a lab where they will pursue
their area of inquiry.
In addition to his responsibilities as associate
dean, Knight will maintain his research programs,
which explore the processes of homologous genetic recombination and recombinational DNA repair in human cells. ■
The Pe op le of the Un ive r s i t y of M a s s ac hu s et t s M e d ic a l Sc ho ol
infocus
Student interest groups serve community while exploring career options
3
Undaunted by busy class schedules, dozens of first- and second-year UMMS
students participate in a variety of student interest groups — extracurricular, student-run organizations focused on a range of medical interests that have become
a hallmark of UMMS pre-clinical medical education. With most groups combining direct patient care and service activities, they have also become a point of
pride for an institution that emphasizes public service.
“The number of students involved
Pediatric Mini Rounds and sponsors
in the Medical School’s interest
several annual luncheons, where pedi-
groups, and their level of activity,
atric generalists and specialists discuss
reflect our students’ strong commit-
work/life issues as they relate to vari-
ment to serving the community,” said
ous pediatric careers. “Both programs
Associate Dean for Student Affairs
are door-openers to additional oppor-
Mai-Lan Rogoff, MD, adding that any
tunities to work with pediatricians in
number of students can establish an
clinical settings,” Holguin explained.
interest group with the support of a
While the grand rounds and lunch-
faculty adviser. The Pediatric and
eons provide insight into the nature
Geriatrics groups are two that mirror
of pediatric care, the group’s Book
the UMMS emphasis on educating
Buddies program – in which medical
primary care physicians who are com-
students volunteer to read to pediatric
petent to care for patients throughout
inpatients – incorporates direct advo-
the life cycle.
“The Pediatric Interest Group com-
Leader of the Pediatric
Interest Group Nicole
Holguin ’07.
{
“The number of students involved
in the Medical School’s interest groups, and their level of activity,
reflect our students’ strong commitment to serving the community.”
cacy and a service dimension into the
emergency situations that could have
pressure, depression and osteoporosis
group’s activities.
been prevented with good primary
screening clinics begun last year.
bines clinical and community service
Current Geriatric Interest Group
care, spawning my interest in caring
Seymour is also proud to have
activities by providing a means for stu-
leader Patricia Seymour ’07, contact-
for geriatric patients in a preventive
achieved recognition for the group as
dents to become directly involved
ed the group even before she came to
capacity.” Under her leadership, the
a student chapter of the American
with pediatric patients in their first
the Medical School, sparked by her
group has expanded its activities to
Geriatrics Society, and to be the first
and second years,” noted group
work as an emergency medical techni-
include lectures from renowned
interest group to include faculty and
leader Nicole Holguin ’07. The group
cian. “I noticed that we were taking
speakers on geriatrics topics as well as
students from the Graduate School
provides direct clinical exposure via
care of elderly adults in numerous
the direct-care, student-staffed blood
of Nursing. ■
}
Questions? E-mail campus.mod@umassmed.edu or
Finishing Touches
visit www.umassmed.edu/campusrevampus.
on the new Faculty Conference Room, Clip-On Office Space Addition and new
In order to start the final phases of construction
School Lobby, a portion of the south corridors on the first and second floors
of the Medical School were temporarily closed this week (for about
Regatta Point Parking
The Massachusetts Department of Parks
three months) to pedestrian traf fic. As illustrated on maps at
& Recreation, which oversees Regatta Point, has begun restricting access to
http://www.umassmed.edu/campusrevampus/watchfor, the north corridors
the parking lots there to the hours of 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., causing those who have
are currently providing an alternate means of travel through the facility for
been parking in these lots before or after those times to seek alternatives.
students, staff and visitors; this corridor is also serving as access to the
Employees accustomed to parking at Regatta Point who now wish to park
relocated entrances of Information Services and the IS Help Desk.
on campus should visit the Parking Office on A-Level to sign up for on-campus
The existing entrance to the Chancellor’s Office will be maintained during
parking, arrange payroll deduction for payment and gain swipe-card access to
this first phase of construction. The first floor entrance to Faculty
unreserved parking lots. Contractors working on UMMS and UMass Memorial
Administration, Graduate Medical Education, University Relations and several
construction projects who have been parking at Regatta Point may also visit
additional administrative offices will also remain open; however, the second
the Parking Office to register for parking privileges in the upper Pine Tree Lot.
floor entrance will be closed. Students, staff and visitors coming from the
Medical School Lobby will be required to gain access to these offices by
traveling via the north corridor to the open end of the south corridor on
employees infocus
the first floor. ■
Vitals
vision of four secretaries, coordination of the research funding
Nicole Morrison, February Employee of the Month
application process, and management of the faculty recruit-
Secretary to the Chair
ment and promotion process for the department’s basic sci-
Department of Pathology
ence division. According to Dr. Rock, “Nicole always conducts
Year started: 1997
herself with a high degree of professionalism, helping the
Hometown: Shrewsbury
department run smoothly while projecting a positive image.”
Professionally Speaking
Points of Pride
Although designation as Employee of the Month is a special
Although praised for a number of managerial and organization-
recognition for any UMMS employee, it’s extra special for
al skills, Nicole’s contributions to the process of faculty
Nicole Morrison. Not only is she being recognized for her
recruitment are particularly appreciated by Rock. In this
excellent administration of the Department of Pathology’s
capacity, she has assisted in the recruitment of five stellar
basic science division, but she also has the distinction of
investigators involving the organization of hundreds of applica-
Rock and department administrator Rick Madison, who have
being the first employee within the department to ever receive
tions, arrangement of interviews and coordination of the actu-
helped drive her career and given her the opportunity to work
this honor.
al hiring process. “Nicole makes the extra effort to ensure
with such world-renowned investigators. However, her “points
Nicole began her career at UMMS as coordinator of the
that every detail is taken care of so that the process goes as
of pride” at the moment tend to be more focused on the home
Biology of Disease course for second-year medical students.
smoothly as possible. Candidates have appreciated Nicole’s
front. Her husband Alan, whom she met while at UMMS, is set
However, as a testament to her excellent performance, she
hard work and complimented us on how she has been effec-
to receive his MD/PhD in June; her nine-year-old daughter
was promoted within a little over 18 months to her current
tive and made things easy.”
Alexandra is busy with school, soccer and basketball; and the
position, which encompasses individual administrative sup-
Nicole feels that her role in faculty recruitment has been
port to Pathology Chair Kenneth Rock, MD, as well as super-
both rewarding and challenging, stating that she is grateful to
family is preparing for the birth of a child — literally as this
publication goes to press!
N e w s
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information infocus
4
COMECC Thank You
Wear your badge!
While the results for the 2004 COMECC Campaign are not yet final, UMMS has
EHS, Public Safety and Parking and Access Control continue to implement access
already surpassed last year’s total and is well on its way to achieving the $280,000
and security measures to ensure the safety of UMMS campuses. As a critical aspect
mark — no small feat given the timing of this year’s drive with the holiday season.
of these measures, it is imperative that faculty, students and staff wear their ID
Kudos to the department “coaches” (solicitors) and managers – who “went the dis-
badges at all times while at any UMMS or UMass Memorial facility. ID badges not
tance” – as well as to members of the UMMS community who rose to the occasion
only provide access to parking areas and restricted corridors, but also allow for the
and generously supported the sponsored charities.
identification of faculty, students and staff in the case of an emergency.
New EHS director appointed
Tremor patients needed for clinical research trial
Charleen Sotolongo, MSPH, has been appointed director of Environmental Health
Individuals with tremors are sought for a clinical research trial (IRB #11205) using
& Safety (EHS) at UMMS. In this role, she will be responsible for all safety opera-
a radionucleotide (Altropane) in Spect Imaging to differentiate Parkinsonian
tions for both the Medical School and UMass Memorial Medical Center —
tremor from other types of tremor. Clinical Associate Professor of Neurology Paula
University Campus, focusing on compliance with municipal, state, federal and other
D. Ravin, MD, will evaluate patients and participants will be compensated for their
recognized regulations for laboratory safety and sensitive materials handling.
time involved in this study. For more information, contact Catherine Ricciardi, RN,
Sotolongo comes to UMMS following 11 years at Emerson Hospital, where she
was director of safety, security and parking.
at x65829 or via e-mail at RicciarC@ummhc.org.
On the move...
MSDS service announced
The Office of Technology Management recently relocated from Biotech One to the
In order to provide a quality information and safety resource for laboratory person-
Maxtor Building, 333 South Street, Suite 400 in Shrewsbury. The office’s phone and
nel working with biological and chemical substances, EHS has introduced a new
fax telephone numbers remain the same; the main office number is x61626 and the
service for obtaining Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), which contain health haz-
fax number is x61482.
ard information as well as recommended precautions, handling information and
spill procedures. To access an MSDS, UMMS users may call 800-451-8346 or 760-6028703, 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week. Personnel should have the product name
and number, manufacturer name and phone number, and UPC code for the material readily available when calling.
Calendar
■ This year’s Peter H. Viles, MD, Visiting Professorship, sponsored by
UMMS and UMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center, will feature
guest lecturer Joseph R. Custer, MD, associate professor of pediatrics
and communicable diseases at the University of Michigan, who will
speak at Pediatric Grand Rounds Friday, Feb. 4 at 8 a.m. Dr. Custer’s
presentation is titled “Measuring Quality of Palliative Care in a
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.”
■ Join the second-year medical students as they continue a UMMS
entertainment tradition. The Class of 2007 invites faculty, staff and
students to join in the fun and laughter at this year’s Class Show,
Saturday, Feb. 26 at 6:30 p.m. at Hoagland-Pincus Conference Center.
Contact Matthew McGuiness or Nicole Winters via global
e-mail for directions or for further information.
{
Chairman of Commerce Bank & Trust David
“Duddie” Massad, former owner of Duddie Ford, recently donated $12.5 million to the charitable Emergency Care Campaign at UMass
Memorial — an integral contribution to the construction of a new emergency department and trauma center on the University Campus. Shown
with Massad, center, are UMass Memorial President and CEO John O’Brien
and Chancellor and Dean Aaron Lazare
grants infocus
Robert A. Baldor, MD, professor of family medicine &
Michelle A. Kelliher, PhD, associate professor of
William J. McIlvane, PhD, professor of psychiatry:
community health: Predoctoral Training in Primary Care,
cancer biology: Mechanism(s) of TAL-1/SCL-mediated
Behavioral Studies of Mental Retardation and Depression,
Department of Health and Human Services, one year,
Leukomogenesis, National Cancer Institute, one year,
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development,
$205,920; recommended for two more years, $375,000.
$332,100; recommended for four more years, $1.3 million.
one year, $325,125; recommended for three more years,
$1 million.
Sumner H. Burstein, PhD, professor of biochemistry &
Stephenie C. Lemon, PhD, assistant professor of medi-
molecular pharmacology: Endocannaboid Analogs as Anti-
cine: Active Living and Healthy Diet at the Workplace,
Mario Stevenson, PhD, the David J. Freelander
Inflammatory Agents, National Institute on Drug Abuse, one
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, one year,
Professor of AIDS Research: Role of Monocytotropism in
year, $121,500; recommended for two more years,
$516,885; recommended for three more years, $1.8 million.
HIV/SIV Pathogenicity, National Center for Research
Resources, one year, $361,036; recommended for four
$242,000.
Charles W. Lidz, PhD, research professor of psychiatry:
more years, $1.8 million.
James A. Fain, PhD, associate professor of nursing:
Competition Between Science and Care in Clinical Trials,
Diabetes Self-Management Measure Among Hispanics,
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke,
Michael R. Volkert, PhD, professor of molecular genet-
National Institute of Nursing Research, one year,
one year, $235,638; recommended for two more
ics & microbiology: Human Oxidation Resistance Genes,
$238,500.
years, $471,276.
National Cancer Institute, one year, $327,726; recom-
William L. Marshall, MD, assistant professor of mediShuk-Mei Ho, PhD, professor of surgery: Prostatic
Differentiation and Sex Hormone Metabolism, National
Cancer Institute, one year, $328,050; recommended for
mended for three more years, $1 million.
cine: Emerging Functions of Poxvirus Virulance Factor, N1L,
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, one
year, $81,000; recommended for one more year, $81,000.
four more years, $1.3 million.
Editor: Lynn Borella
Editorial Staff:
Andrea Badrigian, Kelly Bishop, Michael Cohen
Alison Duffy, Sandra Gray, Mark Shelton
Photography: Rob Carlin, MTG; Tony Maciag, MTG
Office of Public Affairs and Publications
University of Massachusetts Medical School
55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA 01655-0002
508-856-2000
Focus@umassmed.edu
}