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Town Hall meetings scheduled

Mark your calendars and make sure you hear the updates from the employee survey during upcoming Town Hall meetings. During the meetings, you’ll hear details about the hospital employee survey and plans for addressing issues brought up in the surveys.
The Town Halls are one of several techniques to keep Medical Center employees informed and involved as we move into the public authority. This communication will focus on any known changes, steps taken to address issues raised by the survey and answers to questions.
Dates scheduled for Town Halls:

Monday, June 29 from 7:30-8:30 a.m. in Wahl Hall East
Wednesday, July 1 from 3:45-4:45 p.m. in Sudler
Monday, July 6 from 3:34-4:45 p.m. in Sudler
Tuesday, July 7 from 10:30-11:30 p.m. in Sudler
Wednesday, July 8 from 7:30-8:30 a.m. in Wahl Hall East

Employees are urged to share ideas, concerns and questions, either through your supervisors and department heads or through email to TOWNHALL or the employee suggestion boxes throughout the Medical Center.

Medical Center employees across campus gathered outside the main cafeteria to enjoy hot dog picnic during National Hospital Week.

Patrick Moriarty, MD

KU Medical Center physicians in internal medicine, family medicine and pediatrics will celebrate their second year of operating Silver City Health Center June 20 with an open house and free mammograms and health screenings. The celebration will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Health Center, 3015 Strong.
Silver City Health Center provides primary care-including basic laboratory tests-for adults and children. Currently, it is the only source for pediatric care in the Argentine community. As a primary care service, it provides excellent clinical experiences for residents and medical students, said Patrick Moriarty, MD, KUMC assistant professor of medicine and founder of Silver City Health Center. Moreover, the neighborhood center provides continuity of care through its immediate access to the most up-to-date medical expertise and technology for anyone who might need specialized care.
"The variety of health needs and ages makes Silver City an excellent experience for our residents and medical students," said Dr. Moriarty. "That's what the students like about it-they work with everything from well-baby checks to geriatrics."
Plans call for implementing a telemedicine link with KU Medical Center to enhance access to KUMC specialists. Obstetric/gynecology services also are planned.
The center is staffed by KUMC family physicians, internists and pediatricians who have regular hours. Residents and medical students rotate through the center during their ambulatory medicine rotation.

Reminder-
Got questions? We’ll get answers! Employees can submit any question regarding the transition to the Hospital Authority by e-mail to TOWN HALL or through employee suggestion boxes throughout the Medical Center

Around KUMC...

KU nursing students elected
to statewide organization
Three KU School of Nursing students have been elected to top positions of the Kansas Association of Student Nurses. David Grayson, a recent graduate, was re-elected president of the association. Another new alumna, Kari Henke, will be the association’s vice president for convention. School of Nursing senior Lynee Epp was elected vice president-parliamentarian.
“The faculty and staff of the KU School of Nursing are proud of the commitment of these students,” said Karen L. Miller, RN, PhD, FAAN, dean and professor. “We believe they will be tremendous leaders for this student organization and will represent us well.”


Bookstore update
The KUMC Bookstore will be closed for inventory on June 25-27 and 29-30. Students who have grant, scholarship, or other funds that will expire at the end of June should please review their needs and stop in at the bookstore prior to the above dates.
Season tickets for the Lied Center series are available now from the Lied Center Box Office (785-864 ARTS).
The Bookstore summer hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
Tickets for individual musicals/plays at the Starlight will receive a discount if the Code# SV is mentioned when you call the ticket office at (816) 363-7827.
Oceans of Fun and Worlds of Fun tickets can be purchased at the Bookstore office at a reduced rate. Stop in to make a purchase.


Stanley Edlavitch named to committee chair
Stanley Edlavitch, PhD, MA, professor of preventive medicine and MPH Program Director in Kansas City, was recently appointed chair of the Professional Quality Improvement Committee for Truman Medical Center. Dr. Edlavitch also serves on the Board of Governors at TMC.
Tuition assistance deadline is June 30
Full-time employees who have worked at the Medical Center for at least six months can apply for tuition assistance. The application deadline for the fall semester is June 30. RNs and LPNs employed through Nursing Services can get an application through the Nursing Services Office or by calling extension 6550. Other employees can get applications at Human Resources, 1044 Delp, or by calling extension 5099. You also can use the application form on PULSE: http://www.kumc.edu/HR/tuition.html


Diabetes Self-Management Classes set
Cray Diabetes Management Center is offering free, weekly classes throughout the summer. The classes are led by health care professionals and persons with diabetes. The June 24 class, “Bus, Plane, Car, Bike or Hike: Let’s Travel,” will be led by Rose Tiszka, RN, MN, ARNP, CDE. Classes are 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesdays in Room 1107 KU Hospital. All persons with diabetes and their family members are welcome. You can attend sessions without seeing a physician or nurse, without registering in the clinic and without paying a fee. For more information, call ext. 3960.


Sigma Theta Tau honors
Eldonna Sylvia, MN
Eldonna Sylvia, RN, MN, family nurse practitioner in the Department of Family Medicine, and clinical instructor at the School of Nursing, has received the Community Leadership Award from the Delta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau. Smith was honored for her leadership in nursing practice, research and education. Before joining the KUMC faculty and clinical staff, Smith was instrumental in transforming an elementary school in Argentine into what is now the Franklin Center. She helped develop a nurse clinic there in 1979 and provided family health services to neighborhood residents. Sylvia has also trained at-risk adolescents in job skills and has organized summer programs for children living in the East Argentine neighborhood. Sigma Theta Tau is an international honor society for nursing.


Travel grants awarded
The Office of Graduate Studies and Research have granted the following travel awards:
* Graduate Student Travel: Shihyun You, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Tammy Kielian, Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology; Gerald Call, Molecular and Integrative Physiology; and Nancy Montgomery, Special Education.
* Domestic Travel: Kuen-Shan Hung, PhD, Anatomy and Cell Biology; R. Padmanabhan, PhD, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Richard Silverstein, PhD, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Chia Lee, PhD, Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology; Gary Shaw, MD, Otolaryngology; John Belmont, PhD, Pediatrics; Shilpa Buch, PhD, Pediatrics; Namita Shagal, MD, Pediatrics; Jonathan Li, PhD, Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics; Sara Li, PhD, Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics; and Norberto Gonzalez, Molecular and Integrative Physiology.
* International Travel: Howard Hsu, PhD, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; Jie Liu, PhD, Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics; Kenneth McCarson, PhD, Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics; Chukuka Enwemeka, PhD, Physical Therapy Education, and Jasjit Ahluwalia, MD, MPH, Preventive Medicine.

The next deadline for graduate students and faculty domestic and international travel is July 1. Applications are in 5015 Wescoe for eligible students and faculty.

Golf Tourney raises funds
for KU Children’s Center

Employees, their families and their friends will hit the links July 10 to play golf and raise money for the KU Children’s Center during the Second Annual Molly and Matthew Kirse Golf Tournament. Four-person teams will tee off at 8 a.m. at Minor Park Golf Course, 11105 Holmes Road.
Tournament organizers are still accepting registrations. The $95 per person fee includes cart and green fees, a golf shirt, breakfast, lunch, beverages and door prizes. Registration and tournament information is available from Linda Schuck, extension 6301.
John and Jennifer Kirse and pediatrician Alan Organ, MD, founded the tournament in memory of the Kirse’s children. Molly Kathryn Kirse was born Nov. 7, 1989, and died Jan. 30, 1990, of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Matthew Daniel Kirse, who was born and succumbed to Potter’s syndrome Aug. 20, 1991.

Two Department Chairs Named
Carol Lindsley, Solomon Batnitzky take the reins of their departments

KU School of Medicine recently named two department chairs and formally announced their names during a reception in their honor.
Carol Lindsley, MD, has been named chair of the Department of Pediatrics and Solomon Batnitzky, MD, has been named chair of the Department of Radiology.

Dr. Lindsley served as interim chair for two years prior to her appointment. A professor of pediatrics, Dr. Lindsley is reknowned for her expertise in diagnosis and treatment of juvenile arthritis and other auto-immune diseases in children. She founded and currently directs the Mid-America Pediatric Rheumatology Outreach program, in which she and other clinicians travel throughout the region to care for children at satellite offices.

Dr. Batnitzky, professor of radiology and chief of the neuroradiology section, has served as interim chair of radiology since 1994. He joined KUMC in 1977 as an associate professor. Before joining KUMC, he was chief of neuroradiology at Indiana University Medical Center, a clinical fellow in neuroradiology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, and a fellow in neuroradiology with the National Institutes of Neurological Disease and Stroke.

Donald Hagen, EVC

Students are right at the heart of everything we do. So this week, I've invited Dr. Dorothy Knoll our Dean of Students to share her thoughts about our students.

Dear KUMC Community,

Given this opportunity to write the weekly message, I am going to do so with my professional "biases" as a student affairs professional. I believe that students are the recipients of service provided--their needs are paramount. Faculty have the greatest contact with students on a daily basis. In addition, the instruction component they provide is the heart of a university; their support is essential. Administrators represent the views of the campus to its many publics and are intimately involved in policy and decision making--their understanding is crucial. Support staff at all levels are vital so that faculty can teach and administrators can administer and students can learn.

I will now talk about the heart of what I am about--students. We know we have excellent students in our academic programs, aiding us in patient care, and doing research. I would like to address what our students do outside of learning, patient care and research; how they give of themselves to others. The following list is only a sampling of what they do.

The Student Governing Council, with representation from all four schools, sponsored:

** a community blood drive,
** a carnival which raised $3,000 for the Rosebrook Center and the Sunflower House,
** a Thanksgiving dinner at a local shelter,
** a nutrition educational program for various Wyandotte county grade school children.

And they continue giving through their individual school specific governing groups.
** Allied Health Student Senate sponsored a family at Christmas.
** Graduate Student Council sponsored the Student Research Forum for all students.
** Medical Student Assembly sponsored the clothing drive.
** Association of Undergraduate Student Nurses sponsored a medical mission to Venezuela.
I am humbled by all the students do. Our world is a better place because of them. Thank you.
Sincerely,

Dorothy Knoll, Ph.D.
Dean of Student Services

Classifieds

For SaleWantedPetsAutomotiveFor RentHomes For SaleWanted

For sale: Large deep freezer $60. Entertainment center $50. Three-piece bedroom dresser set, $25. Call 788-8141.

Estate Sale: Antiques, furniture, glassware and clothes. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 18-20. 8832 Pawnee Lane, Prairie Village.

For Sale: Craftsman lawnmower, 20” mulching blade, 3.5 HP Briggs/Stratton engine, 1.7 Bu grass catcher, 7 years old, runs well, $30. Roadmaster 20” bike, florescent orange, 2 years old-minimum use, detachable training wheels, $15. Call 554-1346 after 5:30.

For Sale: Camper. Top-of-the-line Royal 27 foot travel trailer camper in Great Shape. Central Air/Heat, New Fridge, Power TV antenna, New Tires, Microwave, fully self-contained. Just in time for lakeside living. $7,000.00 Call 785-863-2038 after 6pm.




Wanted: Nice family to be host to female European. Will do some housework and be a nanny. Call Christa, 913-841-2067.

Wanted: Upright piano. Call 454-1823.

Wanted: Baby bed or crib for church nursery. Call 931-1129.




Kittens free to good homes. Assorted colors. Call (913) 727-6789.

Free to good home: 2-1/2 year old female poodle/dachshund mix. Lovable, sweet, apricot colored. Needs a fenced yard, very protective. Call 342-5273 after 5pm, can leave a message.




For Sale: 1986 Audi 4000, good condition. $1,700.00 or best offer. Call 432-7196.



Want to share: Four-bedroom duplex, 1 1/2 bath, five minutes from KUMC. Split $550/month rent three ways plus utilities. Non-smoking, single females preferred. Call 785-838-3125.

For Rent: New, luxury apartment. Two-bedroom, two-bathroom. Garage, veranda, fireplace, great view, large walk-in closets and extra storage spaces. Swimming pool, fitness center. $1,100/month. Just off I-35 south on 87th and Quivira. Takes 13 minutes to KUMC. Available July 1 or sooner. Call 438-5242.




For Sale: Two-bedroom, one bath house with hardwood floors, built-in bookshelves, porch screens, walkout basement, three A/C window units. Walk to KU in 10 minutes. Close to fast food and Westport. $58,000—price negotiable.




Type 2 Diabetes
Study Subjects Wanted: Men and women between the ages of 30 and 78 with adult onset (Type 2) diabetes mellitus who are unable to maintain adequate blood sugar control with diet and exercise. Cannot be taking any oral diabetes medications or insulin. Study participants will receive physical examination, lab work, blood sugar meter and strips, and diabetes study medications at no cost. The study lasts about 34 weeks and will involve close follow-up. Compensation for travel expenses. For information, contact Glee at ext. 3960.


Heartburn
Healthy volunteers or volunteers with heartburn symptoms wanted: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology is seeking 15 health volunteers of both genders between the ages of 18 and 75, without any symptoms and 15 patients of both genders experiencing heartburn symptoms at least once a week, not taking any drugs, for the study of a medication called Propulsid (cisapride).

Volunteers will be compensated for participation. Participation involves two salivary and esophageal secretion tests (before and after 7 days of treatment). For more information, call Michelle at ext. 4051.


Endometriosis
Do you have pelvic pain due to endometriosis? Would you like to explore alternative, “natural” treatments instead of conventional therapy? If you are between the ages of 18 and 50, have had a diagnostic laparoscopy within the past two years confirming endometriosis, have not been on any medical therapy within the past three months, and are available for a brief interview and blood tests twice a month for six consecutive months, contact Jane Murray, MD, Department of Family Medicine, ext. 1965 or 384-2284.

KUMC-Wichita’s
Ronald L. Martin, MD, dies

Ronald L. Martin, MD, 53, professor and chair, psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the KU School of Medicine-Wichita, died June 10 after a long illness. Dr. Martin was a member of the School of Medicine faculty since 1980 and joined the Wichita campus in 1988 as chair of the department.
“Dr. Martin’s true legacy is what he has accomplished in providing excellence in education for our medical students and residents in psychiatry” said Joseph C. Meek, MD, dean of the KU School of Medicine-Wichita.
He joined the KU School of Medicine faculty as associate professor of psychiatry and director of psychiatry residency training.

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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