February 10, 1999  Vol. 21, No. 7

KU MedWest to open doors Feb. 15

In just a few short days, people in northwestern Johnson County and surrounding communities will have access to a new level of medical care and convenience, as KU MedWest opens for patient care Feb. 15.

Artwork by Kansas City artist Ann DerGara was recently installed at KU MedWest in preparation for the Feb. 15 opening. Photo by Shari Hartbauer.

The Shawnee facility, a joint venture between KU Physicians, Inc., and KU Hospital Authority, is designed to bring comprehensive medical care to area residents in a convenient neighborhood setting. The 60,000 sq. ft. facility will include primary care offices by KU Medical Center physicians in the areas of family practice, internal medicine and pediatrics. In addition, KU physicians will be on hand to provide on-site specialty services such as allergy, cardiology, dermatology, geriatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, ophthalmology, psychiatry, urology and others.
KU MedWest will also provide complete on-site diagnostic services, including mammography, as well as same-day outpatient surgery, rehabilitation services and wellness programs. Ancillary services will include radiology, pathology and anesthesiology. In addition to this full range of services during normal business hours, KU MedWest will provide after-hours urgent care each weekday evening and on weekends and holidays.

Care for Kids honors volunteers
   
Friendship in a time of dire need.
Insight into the realities of chronic and possibly life-threatening illness.
Those are the hallmarks of the KU Medical Center Care for Kids program, which recently recognized 21 medical students for their contributions to the children and families receiving medical care at KUMC.

Cancer patient Sarah Fuson of St. Joseph, Mo., enjoys spending time with her student "buddy" Katie McGrath, a second-year medical student from Kansas City, Kan. Photo by Leslie Champlin.

The program matches medical students with children who receive inpatient and outpatient treatment for serious, chronic illnesses. Most of the youngsters, who range from ages 17 months through 19 years, are diagnosed with cancer or cystic fibrosis, and receive inpatient and/or outpatient care for several months or even years. While they are within KUMC walls, the children have a buddy-a medical student with whom they can play games, talk, or get a soft drink in the cafeteria.
"I thought it would be a really neat way for students to see medicine from the patient's point of view," said Georgina Peacock, fourth-year medical student who founded Care for Kids in January 1997. "I wanted students to understand that as physicians, we're treating a person, not just a diagnosis."
The program has been invaluable for the children as well.
"Seeing my student buddy helped me out by taking my mind off the stomach pains and nausea," said one youngster in the program. "Also, since I live so far away, I never get any visitors, and it's nice to get visits from my buddy."

Celebrate, learn about diversity
From the Executive Vice Chancellor...

Our campus is a very diverse community. When we include faculty, staff, students, patients and visitors, we are larger than some communities in the state. If you've looked at the KUMC Welcome program on our kiosk near the cafeteria, you'll see more than 30 nationalities greeting you in their native languages. If you are the proud owner of our newest KUMC International Cookbook, you'll find recipes from around the world.
This diversity offers us wonderful opportunities to better understand our complex world and ourselves. The challenge may be in taking the time to appreciate the richness around us. Each month of the year, we can learn more about a cultural group on campus. In February, we think of Black History Month. If you check the February issue of the Global Network News at www.kumc.edu/international/publicat.html, you'll see a wide variety of activities.
I was very fortunate to live in a number of countries while I served in our Navy. Through those experiences, I found some of my untested assumptions challenged and changed as I lived and worked with people. As my assumptions were tested, sometimes I was uncomfortable because my perceptions did not always match with my new experiences. I quickly found I had to rethink many things. These learning experiences created some uncomfortable moments because I thought of myself as educated and enlightened, to say nothing of being sensitive. Well, over the years I've learned a lot about others and myself. I know I must continue to ask myself why I think the way I do, and try to see the world through another person's eyes. Many times, just stopping for a minute to carefully listen to someone's views deepens my appreciation of them and their position.
I encourage each of you to learn about another culture through travel or by befriending someone who comes from a different background. As your friendship grows, you may experience some conflict as your perceptions are challenged. Please don't back away from that experience. Patiently and openly talk about your differences. You can find some common ground, even if it is to agree that your experiences and viewpoints are different. After all, diversity is one thing we all have in common.

Around KUMC...

Sutton Lecture
set for Feb. 17
The Walter S. Sutton Lecture Series returns to KUMC with "Somatic Cell Mutation: Can It Link Aging and Cancer?" by Mitchell Turker, PhD, noted researcher from Oregon Health Sciences University. The lecture will be 4 -5 p.m. Feb. 17, in Wahl Auditorium. The lecture series was initiated last year by the KU School of Medicine to honor Sutton, who joined the KU faculty in 1911 and is credited with discovering the relationship between chromosomes and heredity.

SuperTrax training program
for supervisors begins March 2
"SuperTrax: Leadership in Action," the KUMC leadership training program for managers and supervisors, will be offered by the KU Medical Center Human Resources Department beginning March 2.
The program is mandatory for all classified supervisors and must be completed before permanent status can be attained. Unclassified supervisors are strongly encouraged to attend. The deadline for enrollment is Feb. 19.


SuperTrax consists of 10 modules, each addressing a specific component of leadership. Detailed information about each of the 10 modules may be found on Pulse at http://www2.kumc.edu/hr/training/training.html. To enroll, complete the enrollment form found on PULSE at http://www2.kumc.edu/hr/training/supertrax.html, or call ext. 5099. For more information, call ext. 7542.




Carol Fabian, MD, presents at international conference
Carol Fabian, MD, professor and medical director of the KU Cancer Center, presented "Biomarkers for Prediction of Breast Cancer and for Use in Breast Cancer Chemoprevention Trials" during the Feb. 2-5 Ninth Annual Congress on Anticancer Treatment, in Paris.


Coalition to improve
end-of-life care
Three KUMC staff members will help lead a statewide coalition to improve the quality of life for terminally ill Kansans. Robert Twillman, PhD, director and psychologist in the KU Cancer Center, Gary Doolittle, MD, associate professor of clinical oncology, assistant professor, and director of telemedicine, and Sarah Forbes, RN, PhD, assistant professor in the School of Nursing were named to the coalition steering committee. The coalition is called Living Initiatives For End-of-Life Care (LIFE).
LIFE is part of a national, $11 million Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant to foster partnerships among health care, educational, government and professional organizations. LIFE recently received a one-year $75,000 planning grant from the foundation. Life will support a pilot project in Great Bend, Kan., create ways to train more than 30 Kansas physicians in palliative care, and use statewide telemedicine networks to strengthen pain assessment and management for Kansas health care professionals. Dr. Twillman will be technical director of the grant.
KC Reads receives
$7,000 grant

KC Reads, which provides free books to families and brings volunteers to KU Children's Center to read to youngsters, recently received a $7,000 grant from the Junior League of Wyandotte and Johnson counties. The money will buy books for the program at the Children's Center, Wyandotte Health Department and Children's Mercy Hospital. Junior League volunteers also will read to children in waiting rooms to demonstrate reading techniques for parents.

KC Reads was established by Nancy Beery, DO, chief resident, pediatrics; Kathryn Veal, MD, clinical assistant professor, pediatrics; and Jean Harty, MD, program director for KC Reads, pediatrics. Physicians give new books to children aged six months to five years during well-child visits, as part of a three-pronged effort to promote literacy in children at risk for reading failure.

Graves requests more funds for KU Tele-Kid Care, Center on Aging

KU Medical Center's service to the children and senior citizens of Kansas received special recognition-and calls for support-from Kansas Gov. Bill Graves during his annual State-of-the-State address and budget presentation. The governor singled out the KUMC Tele-Kid Care program and the Center for Health in Aging as examples of the medical center's "vision to be the premier, customer-focused, academic health science system in the region."

Bob Johannes, president of the Cancer Golf Association of Kansas City, recently presented a check for $11,000 to KU Hospital President and CEO Irene Cumming and Chief Operating Officer Jon Jackson. The money was raised during the 1998 Cancer Golf Classic to help provide care for cancer patients at KUMC. Photo by Leslie Champlin.

The governor commended the Tele-Kid Care program, which was the first in the nation to deliver medical services to local schools when it was launched in 1998. He recommended that the program receive $255,541 in program enhancement funding so KUMC could help rural health providers establish similar telemedicine links in their service areas. Pam Shaw, MD, pediatrician, and David Ermer, MD, child psychiatrist, are the two primary clinicians for the program.
"In those cases where there are no local health providers, or if back-up medical services are requested, KU physicians could be available to provide clinical consultations," the governor said.
Noting the high quality of education, service and research provided by the KU Center on Aging, Gov. Graves recommended a program enhancement of $414,459. The enhancement will add to the Center on Aging's ability to offer new, more convenient professional education, including the use of internet-based continuing education courses and the use of two-way, real-time teleconferences. In addition, the enhancement funds will enable the Center on Aging to offer direct consultation and local support for physicians and other health professionals who care for older adults with multiple and difficult problems.
"These techniques could help support communities that wish to develop or reorganize components of the local health care system to improve access and coordination of health services for older adults," said Gov. Graves.

Films, food and personal experiences highlight KUMC Black History Month

The sights and sounds of African-American heritage, a taste of culinary delights, and a look at various personal accounts by African-Americans over the past generation are in store as KU Medical Center celebrates Black History Month.
The Student National Medical Association (SNMA) kicked off the month with a Feb. 2 Poetry Night featuring performances by members of the Black Poets Collective of Kansas City. The celebration will continue Feb. 12 during a 6 p.m. banquet featuring guest speaker Valerie Montgomery-Rice, MD. The banquet will also feature medical students performing an African dance routine and singing. In addition, the winner of the Edward V. Williams award, which is given to the fourth-year African-American medical student in honor of the School of Medicine's first black graduate, will be announced. Festivities will be in the Francisco Lounge and Battenfeld Auditorium. Tickets are $10, and are now on sale during lunch outside the ERC in Orr-Major.
SNMA will also stage a Soul Food Sampler 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, in Stoland Lounge. Speaking of food, don't miss out on the culinary delights of African-American cuisine, as the cafeteria recognizes Black History Month Feb. 15-19 with menu items selected and prepared by members of the cafeteria staff.
On Thursday, Feb. 18, the February Intercultural Film Series will feature "Struggles in Steel," a film about the resistance African-Americans met in seeking promotions and equitable pay in the steel industry. Lewis Diuguid, associate editor and columnist for the Kansas City Star, will lead discussion. Refreshments begin at 4:30 p.m. and the film begins at 5 p.m.
To wrap up the month, SNMA and Students Educating and Advocating for Diversity will co-sponsor "A Black Physician's Journey Through Medicine: From Civil Rights to Managed Care" on Tuesday, Feb. 23. Granville Clark, MD, who earned his medical degree in Cuba and completed his residency in the United States, will discuss his experience as a black physician in America. His presentation will be noon to 1 p.m. in Rieke Auditorium.

Classifieds

For SaleAutomotiveWanted

FOR SALE:

Beautiful wedding dress, size 9/10, ivory, professionally preserved, sheer sleeves, veil incl. Asking $100.

Maui vacation, April 24-May 1, luxury condo, Sands of Kahana, 2 bd/2 bath, sleeps six, cost $1,400 a week, will sell for $900. Call 461-1901.

G.E. Profile (Postscrubber) dishwasher, one year old, white, exc. cond., $130 negotiable. Call 962-4603.

Fuji Royale II 12-spd. racing bike, $75; mint cond. Apple Color StyleWriter 2400 printer, $100; mint cond. Apple Portable (weighs 2 lbs.) Color StyleWriter 2200 printer, $175; close to KUMC. Call Jaz, 262-6379.



1991 Chevy S-10, white, auto, 4.3 L, A/C, custom wheels, stereo, runs great, $4,500. Call 913-768-7856 and leave message.

1986 Acura Integra, blue, 167K, one owner, 5-spd., runs well, $1,400. Call 782-2988.

1991 Honda 4-dr, 5-spd., white. 150K miles, no rust, straight body, must sell, $3,300. Call Mike, 350-7400 after 5:30 p.m.



Child care for 1 ˝ year-old twin boys, our home, 2 ˝ -3 days per week, (currently Tues.-Thurs.), 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 268-8780.

Volunteers for Snake Saturday Parade, March 13, North Kansas City area, shifts start at 10 a.m. To join the fun call 842-2884.

Coming Up

Thursday, Feb. 11
•    American Cancer Society "Fresh Start" smoking cessation program, 7:30-8:30 a.m., Dykes Library Conference Room, free, call ext. 2714 to register.
•    International Programs student lecture, "Genitourinary Medicine at St. Mary's Hospital, London," noon-1 p.m. Clendening Amphitheater.
•    Alzheimer's Caregiver Workshop, 4:30-7:30 p.m., Cottonwood Room, Delp Cafeteria.
•    Breast Cancer Support Group, 5 p.m. social time and 5:30-6:30 p.m. program, Wahl West Auditorium, call ext. 7750 to RSVP.

Friday, Feb. 12
•    Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Grand Rounds, "Refining Antidepressant Side Effects," 10:30 a.m., Clendening Amphitheater.

Saturday, Feb. 13
•    Chinese (Lunar) New Year celebration sponsored by Chinese Students and Scholars Association, 5:30 p.m., Courtyard Café.

Tuesday, Feb. 16
•    KUMC Student Wellness Program, "Learning to Balance Life and Love" featuring a panel of KUMC speakers and door prizes, noon-1 p.m., 1035 Orr-Major.
•    Cognitive Therapy Addiction Treatment Group, 1-2:30 p.m., Family Medicine Clinic.
•    Center on Aging Research Seminar, "Evidence for Genetic Influence on Cerebrovascular Disease: Results from the NHLBI Twin Study," 4-5 p.m., Clendening Amphitheater.
•    Burn Patient Family Support Group, 6-7 p.m., Burn Center Waiting Room.

Wednesday, Feb. 17
•    Diabetes Self-Management Series, 9-11 a.m., Room 1107 KU Hospital.
•    1998-99 Outcomes Management and Research Seminar, "Measuring Outcomes-How, Why, Pitfalls and Impacts: The National Story of OASIS and Outcomes Enhancement in Home Care," 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Lied Auditorium.
•    KUMC Interfaith meeting, noon-1 p.m., Room 3041, Wescoe.

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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