18 NOVEMBER 1999 • Volume 1 • Number 36

Former KU professor bequeaths $75,000 for distinguished radiology professorship

A former University of Kansas Medical Center professor and department chairman has helped ensure the excellence of biomedical research at KU, by including in his will a $75,000 bequest to create a new distinguished professorship.
Arch W. Templeton, MD, made the gift to the Kansas University Endowment Association to support the Arch W. Templeton Distinguished Professorship in Diagnostic Radiology. The professorship will help bring outstanding faculty to KUMC to further strengthen the radiology program.
The Templeton Professorship will provide funds for salary support, laboratory equipment, fellowship stipends and other vital resources for the work of a distinguished biomedical researcher. The Templeton Professor will lead the department in primary research and testing in the areas of imaging sciences, computer technology and advanced digital electronics—research designed to yield benefits for patients and physicians.

Arch Templeton, MD

As professor and chairman of the Department of Diagnostic Radiology from 1967 to 1992, Dr. Templeton fostered a strong commitment to research and led the department to a position of national prominence. A well-known expert in his field, Dr. Templeton has written nearly 175 papers, books and book chapters, and won numerous professional awards. In June 1993, he was named a distinguished professor.
“Having been professor and chair for 25 years, I have a lot of loyalties to the department and the medical center,” Dr. Templeton said. “I believe there’s some ongoing leadership involved with being a distinguished professor, and I thought it was most appropriate that I show my continued support by making this contribution.”
Dr. Templeton currently teaches radiology at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.

Keep making those United Way pledges

United Way campaign activities may be over, but there’s still plenty of time to make a donation. “The Wyandotte County United Way Campaign runs until the end of November,” said Shelley Bratton, coordinator of the combined KU Med and KUMC campaign. “So far, we have yet to reach last year’s dollar amount. We need to meet our goal of increased campaign participation.”
Thus far, the joint effort has raised $151,801 for the Wyandotte County United Way—about $9,000 under last year’s total. Countywide totals, however, are exceeding last year’s performance by about 7.2 percent.
“Wyandotte County has raised nearly $3 million, more than any county in the area, including Johnson and Jackson Counties.” said Bratton.
“I would like to thank everyone for participating in this year’s campaign, but please keep those pledges coming. Wyandotte County has increased its giving, and I would like to see KUMC and KU Med do the same.”
Donations from both KU Med and University employees may be turned in to 1028 Murphy through Nov. 30.

Executive Forum

A Research Day in the Life of KU Medical Center

Michael Welch, MD
Vice Chancellor for Research, KUMC

Last Friday’s Faculty Research Day and Poster Session was, without a doubt, one of my most exciting experiences since arriving at the University of Kansas Medical Center 16 months ago. A packed and enthusiastic audience in Rieke Auditorium was evidence of the momentum for research that has been building in recent months, promising to propel KUMC into national leadership.
Setting the stage for the day, Executive Vice Chancellor Donald Hagen, MD, said, “Never before in the history of the Kansas City community have we seen such growing support for biomedical research. The city’s Life Science Task Force has created a strategic plan for building and supporting life sciences research. Chancellor Hemenway is clearly including KUMC as a major part of the upcoming Capital Campaign. We now have our own Strategic Vision for Research, a plan developed over many months by KUMC faculty. And Executive Dean Deborah Powell has successfully recruited an outstanding chair of the Department of Medicine and mobilized the funding to support the research agenda for the department.”
Faculty Research Day can be traced to the early 1980s, when Executive Vice Chancellor David Waxman, MD, and Dean of Research Billy Hudson, PhD, decided to showcase research at KUMC. The event began as a full week of presentations and nationally renowned speakers.
At this year’s event, Eric H. Davidson, PhD, the Norman Chandler Professor of Cell Biology at the California Institute of Technology and a key scientific advisor to the Stowers Institute, truly excited and educated the faculty with his keynote address. His remarks on fundamental genomics provided great clarity to a complex subject. Jim Calvet, PhD, Department of Biochemistry, introduced Dr. Davidson, and I was especially touched by his reflections on how Dr. Davidson’s writings had influenced and inspired his own career.
Pre- and post-doctoral fellows were encouraged by the announcement of Executive Dean Powell that $250,000 for Biomedical Training Grant Awards has been mobilized by KUMC to replace previous funding that had expired. Dean Powell also announced the fellowship awardees for the next academic year. And Cynthia S. Teel, RN, PhD, new chair of the Faculty Assembly Research Committee, discussed the new goals of the Research Assembly, including plans to coordinate and plan future Research Day events.
The principle honoree, Joan S. Hunt, PhD, Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, gave the Chancellor’s Club Research address, “Immunology of Pregnancy.” The 1999 Research Awards were given to four outstanding young researchers who were judged by their colleagues to have research worthy of recognition. Investigator’s Award Winners were:
Amy O’Brien-Ladner, MD, School of Medicine, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, “Smoking Related Iron in Human Alveolar Macrophage Dysfunction.”
Diane K. Boyle, RN, PhD, School of Nursing, “Enhancing Nurse-Physician Collaboration and Communication in ICUs.”
Lisa Stehno-Bittel, PhD, PT, School of Allied Health, Department of Physical Therapy Education, “Calcium Regulation of the Nuclear Pore Complex.”
Leslie L. Heckert, PhD, School of Medicine, Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, “Transcriptional Regulation in Development of the Sertoli Cell.”
Attendees then moved to Stoland Lounge, which was packed with an impressive display of scientific poster presentations. The entire day, capped by a reception in Hixson Atrium, was a huge success. As these individuals and events clearly demonstrate, KUMC is adopting an aggressive research agenda for the new millennium.

Nutrition for Y2K
Before you begin stocking up on non-perishables in case the world’s computers crash on New Year’s Eve, get some food for thought at “Nutrition for the Y2K.” The informational seminar on weight management and nutrition for the new millennium will be offered Thursday, Dec. 9 from 7 to 8 p.m. at KU MedWest. The seminar is presented by Nutrition Specialist Adrienne Moore Baxter, MS, RD, LD, of the University of Kansas Medical Center Nutrition Information Service. KU MedWest is located at 7405 Renner Road in Shawnee, Kan. To register, call ext. 1227.
Mail delay
Due to several recent staff transfers in the Mail Room and the difficulty of filling these vacancies under the State of Kansas 90-day hiring delay, mail deliveries may run late during the next few weeks. Mail can be picked up at the Mail Center window, G001 Delp. An ID badge and signature are required to pick up mail.
Tuition assistance
Applications for tuition assistance for the spring 2000 semester are available to KU Med nurses in the Department of Nursing office, second floor Wescoe. Applications must be returned to the Department of Nursing Central Office no later than Dec. 3.

Science Night

KU MedWest brought medical technology into the classroom last week as a participant in Science Night at Clear Creek Elementary School in Shawnee, Kan. Assistant Supervisor of Clinical Laboratories Dean Merkel, MT, left, offered students a look at several aspects of laboratory blood work, including this display which compared the blood of a healthy person to that of a leukemia sufferer. Viewing the samples are Jordan Cline, lower right, and Angeline Lathrop, with mother Anita.

KU Med vacations
As previously announced, vacation time for KU Med (hospital) employees will be restricted during this holiday season because of Y2K. Hospital employees should not plan to take vacation time between Dec. 27-Jan. 16, as time off during this period will be allowed only in extreme circumstances. Hospital staff will have a regular work day on Friday, Dec. 31. The New Year’s Eve holiday will be observed on Dec. 23.
“Our goal is business as usual,” said Malcolm Cunningham, manager, financial applications in HIS and a leading member of the KU Med Y2K Team. “In case there are any issues with Y2K, we want to be absolutely sure we can provide the high level of patient care KU Med is known for, even under unusual circumstances.”
On a related note, KU Med is currently converting to a new payroll system. Because of this, maximum vacation accrual balances will not be adjusted until Dec. 31 (Originally, this was scheduled to occur in September). Hospital employees must also use their 1999 Discretionary Day by Dec. 11.

FOR SALE:
HP Scanjet 11CX flatbed color scanner for Mac, used very little, paid $1,000, will sell for $150 OBO. Call Chris, 432-7079.
386 desktop computer with CD/ROM, works great, $75 OBO. Call 492-3874 and leave message.
Sony Trinitron TV, 12 yrs. old, $40; Ab Roller Plus w/instruction video, like new, paid $90, will sell for $40. Call 531-6183.
JC Penney twin electric/adjustable beds w/remote control & massage function, rarely used, paid $1,100 ea., will sell for $800 ea. Call 785-272-5300.
Ricky Martin tickets for Nov. 30 sold-out show at Kemper Arena, only $45. Call 384-4784.
Whitney piano, great starter for a beginner, good shape, dark wood finish, $700 OBO. Call 796-1437.
Full-sized aluminum tool box that sits in bed of truck, $200. Call 782-1165 and leave message.
AUTOMOTIVE:
1993 Ford Probe, 5-spd. manual, CD changer, A/C, exc. body & mech. cond., 71K mi., $5,500 OBO. Call 493-8547.
1995 Eagle Vision Tsi, exc. cond., fully loaded w/leather, sun roof, automatic climate control, antilock breaks, power seats, windows & locks, etc., 78K mi., $7,800 OBO. Call 403-9726.
1989 Mercury Cougar LS, exc. interior, runs great, power everything, $2,500 OBO. Call Jim, 438-9769.
1997 Mercury Tracer LS, 4-dr., auto, A/C, new brakes, CD player, like new, 49K mi., must sell, $7,200. Call 432-4928.
1986 Cadillac Sedan de Ville, 4-dr., 53K mi., gold w/gold leather int., all elec., AM/FM cassette, A/C works exc., wire wheels, Michelin tires, new spare tire (never used), very clean, needs trans., make offer. Call 561-2491.
1985 Winnebago 27-ft. Chieftain, 454 Chevy engine, sleeps six, exc. cond., 80K mi., $15,000. Call 356-5952.
HOUSING:
For Sale: 2BD town house, located within a mile of KUMC, well maintained, reasonably priced, owner moving out of state. Call 989-7876.

Book fair will benefit KC READS program

Get a jump on holiday shopping and help support the KC READS program at the same time, by visiting the Book Fair to be held in the Wyandotte Room, Main Cafeteria, Thursday, Dec. 2 and Friday Dec. 3. The fair will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Proceeds will be used to buy books and provide support for KC READS.
KC READS volunteers visit the ambulatory pediatrics and mother-baby units to teach parents the value of reading to their youngsters. They then provide books for families to take home. The program was founded and is directed by Jean Harty, MD.

coming
UP

Friday, November 19:
•    Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Grand Rounds, “Pharmacologic Management of Pediatric Depression: A Current State of the Art,” 10:30 a.m., Clendening Amphitheater.
•    CenterNet National Institutes of Health Roundtable, “Hepatitis C,” 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 1014 Orr-Major.
•    Outcomes Management and Research Seminar, “Narrowing the ‘Quality Gap’: Past and Future Quality Measurement and Improvement,” 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.,  Lied Auditorium.
Monday, November 22:
•    Alzheimer’s Disease Support Group, noon-1:30 p.m., Delp Cafeteria.
•    Grief-Loss Support Group, 3-4 p.m., Radiation Oncology Conference Room.
Tuesday, November 23:
•    Cognitive Therapy Addiction Treatment, 1-2:30 p.m., Family Medicine.
•    Burn Patient Family Support Group, 6:30 p.m., Burn Center Patient Lounge.
Wednesday, November 24:
•    Diabetes Self-Management Series, 9-11 a.m., 1107 KU Med.
•    KUMC Interfaith, noon-1 p.m., 3041 Wescoe.
•    Stroke Support Group, 2-3 p.m., Westwood City Hall, 47th & Rainbow.
•    National Stuttering Project (NSP) Support Group, 7-9 p.m., 1018 Orr-Major.
Thursday, November 25:
•    Thanksgiving

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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