December 23, 1998 Vol. 20, No. 51

Happy Holidays

Holiday Party offers employees fellowship, fun

Hixson Atrium came alive Dec. 16, as people from all work shifts, all departments and all parts of the campus gathered together for the KUMC "Winter Wonderland" Holiday Party.
The party, hosted by Executive Vice Chancellor Donald Hagen and KU Hospital President and CEO Irene Cumming, drew a total of 4,000 people for the afternoon and evening sessions. The event featured carols by Holy Name Children's Choir and the Sweet Adelines, as well as a visit from Santa and an array of delicious food.
The Gingerbread House Village, composed of entries in a campus-wide contest, was a favorite site for many party goers. Contest winners included Dana Herrera, Medical Records, in the Most Creative/Original category, Jenelle Thelen, assistant director of the Safety Office for the Most Unique, and Mignon Dureka, Dietetics and Nutrition, for Most Calories. A total of 18 KUMC employees chosen in a random drawing also received one of the wreaths, snowmen or live evergreen trees used to decorate Hixson Atrium for the party.
"It was great to see how many people stayed at the party and enjoyed the fellowship with other employees," said Jennifer Rodvelt, senior coordinator of community relations and special events in the Alumni and Community Relations Department, who served as coordinator of the holiday party committee. "We've received many positive responses. I also want to send a special thank you to all members of the party committee for their efforts, and to the administrators, department chairs and other individuals and departments who helped make the party such a success."

Donald Hagen, EVC

Last week I traveled to visit family, celebrate the graduation of my son-in-law from the University of Florida and reintroduce myself to my grandson. Many of you will be able to do similar types of things in the next few weeks, and to each of you I offer my best wishes for the holiday season. It is a time for the students to rest, relax, enjoy the family, and prepare for a happy return to your studies. For many, many others, there is no break, as the work of medicine continues.
The holidays present many challenging times for people, as they relate to sadness, loneliness, and reflections on lost loved ones. Because of all the mixed emotions, I know you all will be working through a very stressful period, and I will be thinking of you often.
I also want to tell you that Dr. Al Chapman informed me that he is planning on retiring next year. Dr. Chapman, the vice chancellor for academic affairs and the dean of graduate studies and research, has been with our medical center since 1962, when he was the first faculty member to occupy Wahl East. Dr. Chapman served as interim executive vice chancellor when I was recruited here. He has been a loyal confidant of mine since that time. I know that he has many accomplishments at the medical center. He helped me totally reorganize the Office of Academic Affairs. He streamlined many of the cumbersome processes dealing with hiring, promotion, tenure, and other very complex issues for me. He has constantly tried to educate me on the nuances of management of universities. He created the very successful Research Institute, which accomplished all of its strategic goals in only three years. He has been the strongest advocate for interdisciplinary education, and is the advocate for faculty and for all of the schools and students.
Dr. Chapman has agreed to stay with us until the summer of 1999. This will give him time to work with us to accomplish several of our goals in research, which are so important to us and to the university.
So, during this holiday season, I want to make this a special tribute to Dr. Chapman. So much of the university has his imprint upon it. Thanks, Al, and you can cover for me while I am on vacation. Happy holidays, everyone.

What’s New

Employees recognized for safety efforts
Congratulations to everyone who received recognition for their efforts to ensure a safe and healthy work environment for KUMC employees, patients and students.
Those recognized during a Safety Administration Department open house Dec. 14 were Nyla Japp, Central Sterilization; Gary Noble, Facilities Management; Dean Crist, Anesthesiology; Greg Reed, Pharmacology; Bonnie Swafford, Rehabilitation Services; Roger Lambson, Executive Vice Chancellor's Office; Bo Wisdom, Biotechnology Center in the Division of Academic Affairs; the staff of 3-Delp Nursing Unit; the staff of the Receiving Dock, Purchasing, and the staff of PULSE Development.

KUMC Bookstore holiday hours
The KUMC Bookstore will close early Dec. 24. The Bookstore and the Courtyard Cafe will be closed Dec. 25 and 26, 1998, and Jan. 1 and 2, 1999, for the holidays.

'Dream Machines' contribute to CMN
Fuzzy stuffed animals, sleek sports cars, Barbie dolls and miniature heavy-duty trucks rolled into KU Medical Center Saturday, Dec. 12, much to the delight of the children and families who were spending at least part of their holidays in the hospital.    
The gifts were part of the annual contributions to Children's Miracle Network (CMN) from the Dream Machines, a classic car club from Independence, Mo. The club raises money for CMN through car shows and other activities throughout the year. This year, 20 members joined the holiday festivities in the pediatric unit, celebrating with youngsters and their families for two hours.

'Cardiac Arrest' set for Jan. 6
More than 150 KUMC employees will serve time in the slammer-all to help raise money for the American Heart Assoc-iation. The employees will become "prisoners" during the annual AHA "Cardiac Arrest" 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 6. They will earn their release from the "jail" in the Francisco Lounge by raising contributions to AHA.
This year, KUMC has set a goal of raising $15,000 to benefit AHA research and education programs. KUMC "jailbirds" must raise a minimum of $100 in pledges to be released. All employees who make bail will be eligible to win prizes.

Dream Factory makes childrens' dreams reality
The dreams of several children confined to KUMC during the holidays came true Dec. 16, thanks to the efforts of the Dream Factory, a Kansas City volunteer organization that fulfills the dreams of children with chronic illnesses. The Dream Factory staged a Christmas party in the KU Children's Center Family Room, and presented gifts or otherwise helped chronically ill pediatric patients realize a personal dream. The organization also distributed gifts to patients in the pediatric unit, the Burnett Burn Center and the Pediatric ICU.

Christmas Eve communion service in Spencer Chapel
All KUMC employees, patients and guests are invited to a communion service Thursday, Dec. 24, from 6:30 to 7 p.m. in Spencer Chapel. The non-denominational service will include soft Christmas music and subdued candlelight. For more information, call the Rev. Jennie Malewski, ext. 5033.

The man behind the 'ho ho ho'

Executive Vice Chancellor Donald Hagen was among the many revelers who posed for pictures with George "Santa" Gunderson at the KUMC Holiday Party Dec. 16.

For George Gunderson, the holiday season begins each August. That's when Gunderson, administrative officer for the KU School of Nursing, begins growing a mustache-a key part of his role as the KU Medical Center Santa Claus.
Gunderson's tenure as the medical center's resident jolly old elf began 10 years ago, when Mary Anne Eisenbise, then director of nursing at the hospital, suggested that Gunderson play Santa at the School of Nursing holiday party. Each year since, Gunderson has donned the red suit, pulled the red hat over a long white wig, and lugged an immense bag on his shoulder to bring smiles to the sick, their loved ones and the health care professionals who care for them.
"We had to rent a costume from a used clothing store that first year," Gunderson recalled. "I enjoyed being Santa so much that I asked the dean if we could expand it into an outreach program. The students went with me as elves and we started making visits with the Visiting Nurses Association."
Today, Gunderson is the medical center's Santa emissary to mental health facilities, the Arthritis Jingle Bell Run, and numerous other community programs. His first love, however, remains visiting KUMC floors. As his healthy "ho ho ho" echoes down the hallways, children flock to his side, hospital visitors stop to shake his hand and employees wave. Gunderson stops by each room, asks if those inside would like a visit, and provides holiday cheer. Like any good Santa, he also offers a gift-a Polaroid photograph with St. Nick.
"It's somewhat unique in that I don't go to the children's rooms," Gunderson said. "The children see a lot of Santa Clauses, so I concentrate on the adults. And I find that I see more kids in the hallways, waiting rooms or adults' rooms than if I went to the pediatric unit. I always stop and talk to the children wherever I see them."
One year, a group of children paid an unexpected visit to Santa when they discovered him in a break room. The youths marched in to serenade Gunderson with "Here Comes Santa Claus."
"I love this," Gunderson said. "I look forward to it each year. I really feel like I'm at least bringing some joy to people. And that's what this season is all about."

Former Chiefs running back and network announcer Marcus Allen visited KUMC Dec. 16 to announce that his new company will be a corporate sponsor of Children's Miracle Network. CMN benefits the KU Children's Center and Children's Mercy Hospital. Allen also visited with children in the pediatric unit. Photo by Leslie Champlin.

Ann Babb named chief nursing officer

Ann Babb, RN, MS, has been named chief nursing officer of KU Hospital Authority. Babb, who has served as interim chief nursing officer since 1997, received the appointment Dec. 18.
"Ann's outstanding performance in an interim capacity has clearly confirmed that she is an outstanding leader of our nursing service and patient care services," said KU Hospital President and CEO Irene Cumming in announcing Babb's appointment. "I am honored to have her as a member of the executive team."
Babb earned her bachelor and master of science degrees in nursing from the University of Kansas School of Nursing, and served an Executive Development Institute fellowship at the school in 1994. She has held numerous nursing positions at KUMC since 1985, and was named director, medical nursing for the medical center in 1991. Babb is a certified nurse administrator and an oncology certified nurse.

Classifieds

For Sale

Motorola flip phone w/battery charger, car adapter, leather case, and box with instructions, paid over $175 for all, will sell for $45 OBO. Call 524-5391.

Magnavox Headstart 500 computer, eight years old, monitor, pc w/CD-ROM, great programs included, will sell for $200 OBO. Call 524-5391.

Three piece furniture set (couch, loveseat, chair), burgundy and black Aztec print, $200. Lifestyler Cardiofit Total Body Motion bike, $100 negotiable. Whirlpool Supreme washer and dryer set, $125. Call 432-8413 after 2 p.m.

Wards refrigerator, 17 cu. ft., crosstop freezer, frostless, harvest gold, guaranteed, $150. Carrier warm-air furnace, pre-owned but has been checked for safe operation, heats 3-5 BR house, $125. GE electric clothes dryer, $75. Call 432-2602.

PowerMac 6320 w/13 in. monitor, 8.1 system, 603e processor @ 120 Mhz, 32 MG RAM, 1.2 GB HD, $700. Mac PowerBook 170, 7.5 system, 8 MG RAM, 328 MG HD, $350. Call 268-7527.

Lexmark 1100 inkjet printer new in box, $75. Call Richard, 768-7293.

Three crates of record albums, approx. 1,000 count, lots from the early '70s, '80s, and a few from the early '90s. Moving so would like to not have to move these. Asking $.75 apiece or make reasonable offer for all. Call Dave, 362-9010.

Automotive

1987 Cadillac Sedan DeVille, dark blue w/light blue interior, full power options, good condition. Call 831-4944 after 5:30 p.m.

Bed liner, over the rail, for 1980-96 Ford long bed pickup, $100. Call 252-9175.

Housing

Roommate wanted: 2 BR, 2BA, D/W, balcony, off-street parking, walk to KUMC. $187.50/mo. plus ½ utilities, plus $187.50 deposit. Call 432-8355.

For rent: 2 BR townhouse, new carpets and paint, within one mile of KUMC, $575/mo. Call 989-7876.

Study Subjects

Subjects with Heartburn Symptoms Needed
The Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology is seeking two female and three male subjects between the ages of 18 and 75 with heartburn symptoms at least once a day (indicative of gastroesophageal reflux disease; GERD) who do not require any continuous prescription medication for their condition and who do not have other medical conditions requiring other concomitant regular medication. Qualified volunteers will be enrolled for the study of a prokinetic drug called Propulsid (cisapride) on salivary and esophageal secretion (using nasogastric tubing) in patients with heartburn symptoms. Participants will receive a good stipend and undertake two (before and after seven days of treatment) already mentioned secretory tests.
For more information call Michele, ext. 4051.

KUMC employees reach out to families, children

The holiday season will be a little brighter this year for hundreds of deserving Kansas City-area residents, thanks to the generosity of KUMC employees who adopted all 25 families in the Adopt-A-Family program and all 375 children in the Adopt-A-Child program. Employees provided Christmas gifts for the families and children such as new clothes, new toys or household items.

Plan ahead for power shutdown Jan. 10
On Sunday, Jan. 10, 1999, KUMC maintenance crews will shut down all electrical power at 7 a.m. in the Wahl East, Wahl West, Wahl Annex, Hixon, Orr-Major and Murphy buildings. The shutdown, which is expected to last approximately eight hours, is necessary to reconnect the 13,000 volt primary system which supplies power to the School of Nursing and Taylor buildings.
Because of the shutdown, there will be no heat, ventilation or refrigeration capabilities in the affected buildings, other than a limited supply of temporary power for critical equipment. For this reason, the Facilities Management Department asks all areas affected to evaluate their needs during the shutdown, and to consider using dry ice to maintain temperatures in walk-in coolers, freezers and refrigerators. Information on how to obtain dry ice, which will be provided by Facilities Management, will be communicated in early January. Employees are also asked to consolidate materials where ever possible.
If you have a concern regarding the power shutdown, contact Bob Wheeler, associate director of Facilities Management, ext. 7900 or e-mail <bwheeler>, or Merrill Whitelaw, physical plant supervisor, ext. 7900 or e-mail <mwhitela>. Wheeler asks that employees call as soon as possible to allow time to implement solutions.

Topics Information
Topics is the employee publication of the University of Kansas Medical Center.
It is published weekly by the office of Public Relations and Marketing. The deadline for submitting news briefs for consideration is noon on the Wednesday before they are to appear. For longer articles or features, contact the editor in advance.
Send story ideas to Leslie Champlin, acting editor, G114 Hospital, or e-mail: lchampli@ kumc.edu or call ext. 1602

Topics ad policy
Send or bring your ad to Topics, G114 KU Hospital, or fax to ext. 1225, or e-mail: lchampli@kumc.edu by noon Wednesday of the week before it is to run.
Ads run free of charge for employees, students and volunteers. For-sale ads are limited to three items. All ads must include the advertiser’s name and work extension (or medical student box number) for verification.
Only home phone numbers --- no pager numbers or KUMC extensions --- will be published. No ads for commercial services or pets for sale will be accepted. Ads will not be taken by telephone. Only one phone number per ad.
Ads may be a held a week if space is limited.

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