23 SEPTEMBER 1999 • Volume 1 • Number 28

Parking Services to allow more
patient parking in Cambridge

In a continuing effort to "put patients first," 90 additional parking spaces in the Cambridge Parking Garage will soon be freed to allow more space for outpatients and visitors.
Parking Services recently contacted the 90 employees who currently pay to park in the Cambridge facility located across the street from the hospital main entrance, asking for volunteers to transfer their permits to either the Olathe Parking Garage or Blue Zone surface lots. To date, about 10 cardholders have agreed to move to the Olathe covered facility.
"Parking Services is aware that this transition may be an inconvenience for some," said Avis Moore, assistant director. "However, we are all aware that parking at the medical center is very limited, and the increase in patient care has placed a great demand on us to provide parking for out-patients and visitors. We must keep in mind that we cannot exist without our patients."

With recent increases in patient visits, KU Hospital is seeking more available parking
spaces in the Cambridge Garage.

Moore added that the Olathe covered fee is the same as Cambridge, and that employees' current parking cards can be programmed to operate in the Olathe garage. The Blue Zone fee is $248 per year, which allows parking in all color zone lots. Parking Services hopes to have all employees moved to different parking spots by Oct. 15.
For more information, contact Moore at ext. 5062,
or e-mail <amoore>.

Open enrollment meetings scheduled
for University and hospital employees

It's that time of year again for KU Hospital and Kansas University employees–
open enrollment for benefits.
All KU Hospital employees are encouraged to attend one of the open enrollment meetings for year 2000 benefits between Oct. 4 and 15. The meetings will allow employees to pick up enrollment packets and learn about new medical plans and benefit changes. Enrollment is not automatic. Hospital employees should enroll by Nov. 5 to ensure that they will have medical, dental and vision coverage, and that they are able to participate in next year's Health Care Spending Account.
As a continued benefit for hospital employees, KU Hospital will pay the deductible and co-pay charges for hospital employees who receive care at KU Hospital, KU MedWest, or through Kansas University Physicians, Inc. (KUPI) or the Jayhawk Primary Care practices. Certain exceptions may apply.
All KU Hospital employees will receive a brochure on year 2000 benefits in late September, which will include a full schedule of enrollment meetings and details about the new benefits program.
Open enrollment for University employees will be Oct. 1-29. University employees will also attend meetings to learn about any changes in benefits. Meetings are set for Oct. 7, at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in Clendening Amphitheater, Oct. 15, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. in Sudler Auditorium, and Oct. 26, at 10 a.m. in Sudler Auditorium. Further details on the year 2000 benefits program will be communicated through direct mailings to University employees' homes.

Heart of Healthcare Award celebrates the best of nursing

By Karen L. Miller, RN, PhD, FAAN
Dean, Schools of Nursing and Allied Health

This past weekend, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Nursing: The Heart of Healthcare Awards by honoring the best of nursing. This year’s 10 winners are shining examples of professional expertise combined with the ability to comfort and care from the heart. They included clinical nurses; home health and emergency room nurses; a firefighter; a school nurse; a public health administrator; a sexual assault nurse examiner, and a diabetes educator.

Executive Forum

As the only statewide and bi-state effort to recognize nurses regardless of practice type or location, I like to think that the Heart of Healthcare Award transcends the usual competition that the marketplace encourages. In the past decade, this program has recognized the outstanding contributions of 4,600 nominees and 100 award winners from Kansas and the Kansas City metropolitan area. The winners hail from 35 Kansas counties and three Missouri counties, with 43 percent of them serving rural or underserved communities—a statistic that, to me, indicates the influence of nursing on populations with the most need.

The 100 award winners since 1989 represent not only the best in nursing but also the diverse nature of the nursing profession. They include 16 nurses from ambulatory and outpatient clinics; 11 home health or hospice nurses; eight school nurses; eight working in long term care; five from the public health sector; 11 specialists in the biomedical subspecialties with direct patient care roles; two practicing in physician offices; two from ground rescue services; one LifeFlight nurse, and clinical nurses from 36 hospital settings.
On the national scene nurses often remain invisible, despite their tremendous impact on the health of our society. For the past 10 years the Heart of Healthcare Award has been one way to highlight the excellence of individual nurses and to help others better understand the gift that good nurses bring to our patients and communities.

Jasjit S. Ahluwalia, MD, MPH, MS, vice chair and associate professor, Preventive Medicine, addressed participants in
the first Mini Medical School session in Wahl East Auditorium. The school, which is designed for the general public, features KUMC faculty members, researchers and clinicians discussing topics and specialties typically studied by KU medical students.

‘America's Sweetest Ride'
The Hershey Kiss Mobile is coming to KUMC Wednesday, Oct. 6, from 10 a.m. to noon. The Kiss Mobile is in town to promote and raise money for local Children's Miracle Network (CMN) affiliates the University of Kansas Medical Center and Children's Mercy Hospital. The KUMC visit will include an exhibition of the world's largest Hershey's Kisses in the half circle drive outside the Miller Building and "The Great Kiss Race," a computer-animated racing game for children which shows how the Kiss Mobile was created and how Hershey's Kisses are made. Kiss Mobile postcards and photos will also be available at various retailers and local events for a modest donation to CMN. All proceeds go directly to KUMC and Children's Mercy Hospital.

Sigma Theta honorees
The late William Bartholome, MD, will be inducted as an honorary member into Sigma Theta Tau International, Honor Society of Nursing, on Nov. 6 in San Diego. Also to be inducted at the November ceremony are Beverly Friedson Bodker, past chair of the KU School of Nursing Advisory Committee, and Adele Coryell Hall, one of the architects of a Kansas City corporate coalition to fund the national Best Practices in Nursing project. Honorary membership is bestowed upon individuals who have made exemplary contributions to improved health care and nursing on national and international levels. Sigma Theta Tau is an international society of nursing dedicated to improving the health of people worldwide through improved nursing scholarship.
Practice Opportunities

Resident physicians and medical students from across the state are invited to attend the upcoming fall Practice Opportunities Conferences, which highlight medical careers in Kansas. The first conference is noon-4 p.m., Oct. 15, in Wahl West Auditorium. The second will be Nov. 19 in Roberts Amphitheater at the KU School of Medicine-Wichita. Each conference will include sponsored community booths to promote rural practice opportunities. Moderators will be Maureen Dudgeon, MD, assistant professor of medicine, for the panel session in Kansas City, and Rick Kellerman, MD, professor and chair of family and community medicine-Wichita, for the November conference. The event is sponsored by the KU School of Medicine, Kansas Academy of Family Physicians Foundation, the Kansas Hospital Association and the Kansas Medical Society. For more information, call Rural Health Education and Services at 316-293-2649, or e-mail <drozof>.

Volunteers needed for October flu shot event

The annual KUMC drive-through flu shot event will take place Saturday, Oct. 16, from 8 a.m. to noon. Typically, 3,000 area residents are vaccinated by School of Nursing students during this fun and worthwhile event, with support from Department of Nursing personnel and medical residents. Volunteers are needed to help direct traffic flow, hand
out informational materials or blow up balloons. Volunteers receive a KU T-shirt, as well as breakfast and/or lunch. Shifts are available from 6:30 to 10 a.m., and 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. To volunteer or for more information, contact Danielle Wolfe, ext. 8009, or e-mail <dwolfe>.

FOR SALE:
Ethan Allen maple dining room table w/6 chairs, china hutch, exc. cond., $745; walnut bedroom set incl. double bed, dresser, night stands, headboard, frame, very good cond., $450; Speed Queen elec. dryer, almond, $65. Call 741-8118.
Kitchen table w/chairs, $150; desk, $150; 2 matching coffee tables, $100 OBO; all brand new; bedroom set: Queen-sized bed, light brown matching dresser w/mirror & chest of drawers, exc. cond., $300 OBO. Call 262-9314 evenings.
King-sized waterbed, oak headboard w/lights and mirror, frame incl., $100 OBO. Call 444-0779.
Laptop computer, Compaq Presario 1650, Pentium II, 64 MB RAM, 4GB HD, 56K modem, CDROM, 3.5 floppy, speakers, 2 batteries, Targon case, Windows 98, assorted software incl. Restore CD, $1,500 OBO. Call Bill or Penny, 785-841-1215.
Computer, Pentium II, 350MHz, 64 MB RAM, 8GB HD, 56K modem, 24X CD, 17" monitor, 2 yr. service warranty, $800 OBO; viola, 16" purchased new, $350 OBO; antique desk, solid walnut, 4 drawers, finished, 1890s, $625. Call 381-7261.

AUTOMOTIVE:
1986 Buick Electra station wagon, fold-down back seat and rear-facing seat, runs well, A/C and heat work great, in fairly good shape, needs brake work, $500 OBO. Call 361-8116 anytime.HOUSING:
For Rent: 1BR apt., vaulted ceiling, fireplace, 7' x 10' artist window, W/D hookups, ceiling fans, appliances, top floor, I-35 & 75th, avail. immediately, $625/mo. + $85/mo., util. Call 913-236-9786.

PETS:
Free: Medium-sized, cute black dog needs good home, landlord won't allow pets, very well behaved, great w/kids. Help! Call 390-9588.

STUDY SUBJECTS:
Are you considering taking hormones for menopause? Should you choose scientifically studied medications to treat your menopause, or are you interested in a more natural approach? Wanted for research: menopausal women interested in beginning hormone replacement. Benefits include two free bone density measurements, lab testing and hormone replacement. Call ext. 6022.

WANTED:
Children 1 month to 5 years of age to participate in developmental neuroscience project. Participation includes recording of behavior and "brain waves" (similar to EEG) while viewing pictures and/or reaching for toys. Requires two-hour visit to lab and brief telephone interview. We especially invite children at risk of developmental delay (e.g. Down's Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome) to participate in our research. For more information, contact Jennifer Hill Karrer, PhD, ext. 5956.
Preschoolers age 2-5 to participate in non-invasive study of neurocognitive development. Involves 1-2 hour visit to the Cognitive Neuroscience Lab for the recording of event-related brain potentials (ERPs or "brain waves") and brief parental interview via telephone. For more information, contact Jennifer Hill Karrer, PhD, ext. 5956.

Hospital bonds on sale

The KU Hospital Authority Board capital bonds, which were recently rated AAA, were priced Sept. 22 and are now available through US Bancorp-Piper Jaffray offices in Kansas City and Lawrence.

coming
UP

Friday, September 24:
•    Community Outreach Project Book Fair, 7 a.m.-3 p.m., Wyandotte Room.
•    Pediatric Grand Rounds, “Pediatric Allergic Rhinitis, Therapeutic Options for the Millenium,” 8-9 a.m., Lied Auditorium, followed by Pediatric Pavilion tour, 9-11 a.m.
•    Psychiatry Grand Rounds, “Motion, Volition & Cognition: The Relevance of Brain Dopamine Systems in Depression,” 10:30 a.m. Clendening Amphitheater.

Monday, September 27:
•    Grief Loss Support Group, 3-4 p.m., Radiation Oncology Conference Room.

Tuesday, September 28:
•    Cognitive Therapy Addiction Treatment, 1-2:30 p.m., Family Medicine.
•    Searching MEDLINE Using WinSPIRS, 2-4 p.m., Dykes Library.     

Wednesday, September 29:
•    Best Beginnings, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m., 5th floor, OB/GYN Dept.
•    KUMC Interfaith, noon-1 p.m., 3041 Wescoe.
•    Community Health Seminar, “Radiation Measurements,” noon-1 p.m., 1023 Orr-Major.
•    Stroke Support Group, 2-3 p.m., Westwood City Hall, 47th & Rainbow.
•    School of Medicine Faculty Open House, 5-7 p.m., Hixson Atrium.

Thursday, September 30:
•    “Pediatric Cancer Update,” lunch 11:30-noon for the first 40 to register, program noon-1 p.m., Clendening Auditorium. Call ext. 6550 to register.
•    International Lecture Series, “Enhancing Global Connections: A Success Story,” reception 4 p.m., History of Medicine Foyer, lecture 5 p.m., Clendening Amphitheater.

IN THE CENTER
Donald Hagen, MD - Executive Vice Chancellor KUMC
Irene Cumming - CEO and President KU Hospital
Ken Arnold - Editor

IN THE CENTER is the employee and student 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 is noon on the Thursday before they are to appear. Send story ideas to Ken Arnold, editor, G114 Hospital, or e-mail: <karnold> or call ext. 1298.

Ad Policy
Send or bring your ad to G114 KU Hospital, or fax to ext. 1225, or e-mail: <karnold> by noon Thursday 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 held a week of space is limited.

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