November 4, 1998, Vol. 20, No. 44

Sections of this page:

Complex Moves Succeed

Annual Auxiliary Bazaar Opens with special ceremony

United Way campaign spurs generosity

Around KUMC...

School of Medicine chosen to be 'Models that Work' national pilot site

MPH Kansas Granted National Accreditation

Donald Hagen, EVC

Classifieds

Topics Information

Planning, teamwork key to move
Complex Moves Succeed

When six nursing units recently relocated services and patients, the preparation was comprehensive, the collaboration was outstanding, and the choreography was exceptional. As a result, the hospital's clinical staff maintained a continuity of care that is vital to high quality health services.
That was the word from Chris Ruder, RN, nurse manager who assisted in the coordination of the multiple unit relocations along with nurse managers Sara Willdermood, RN, and Anne Healy, RN.
"We had a tremendous display of teamwork from the nursing staff and all of the other ancillary services in order to carry out a move of this size," said Ruder. "All of the staff did a fantastic job. People made the right decisions time and again to assure that the move itself did not affect patient care in an adverse way."
Plans for the moves began in April. In the interim, nurses on all units involved received additional education and in-servicing to ensure their expertise in caring for patients transferring from other units.
"We had a tremendous amount of inservice programming," said Ruder. "The majority of nurses received additional training, even if their units didn't move because they did have new services moving into their areas. And we'll continue to do training in the future."

50 Years of Service
Annual Auxiliary Bazaar Opens with special ceremony

Photo by Jim Burton
L-R, Peg Cramer, Karen Hagen, Louise Redford, Eleanore Johnson and Susan Mong show off the crystal sculpture given to the auxiliary for its 50th anniversary.

    The KUMC Auxiliary's contributions to clinical, academic and research missions of the Medical Center were honored last week during a special ceremony to open the annual Auxiliary Bazaar. The ceremony honored the Auxiliary's 50th anniversary.
    "We are proud of our auxiliary and we are proud that you've been a part of us for 50 years," said Donald Hagen, executive vice chancellor, as he presented a crystal sculpture on behalf of Irene Cumming, president and chief executive officer of the hospital, to Louise Redford, Auxiliary president.
    The crystal is engraved with "Celebrating 50 Years of Caring and Sharing-KUMC Auxiliary."
    "We will cherish this and display it prominently," said Redford in accepting the sculpture.
This year’s bazaar raised more than $10,600.
In addition to the ceremony, this year's bazaar featured the musical talents of the Lyric Ensemble, a quartet composed of Auxiliary members Cecelia Arnold playing cello, Janet Thompson playing piano, Susan Fuller playing violin and Elizabeth Appelbaum playing flute.

United Way campaign spurs generosity

    A contagion of generosity spread across the KU Medical Center campus Oct. 11 to 23. That was the week that the creativity, dedication and hard work of 25 United Way Committee members moved hundreds of their co-workers to pledge a total of $153,583 to the United Way.
    "Response has been terrific, and we're still receiving pledges," said Jennifer Rodvelt, senior coordinator for Alumni and Community Relations. "We're amazed at how pledges are continuing to come in."
   
This year's United Way drive featured two kick-off ceremonies, prizes drawn from submitted pledge cards, and bus tours of agencies that receive United Way support. In addition, representatives from agencies ranging from Boy and Girl Scouts to Special Olympics to Cancer Action were on hand to describe the benefits of United Way contributions to Kansas City area residents.
    "This was a huge success," said Rodvelt. "It was a terrific way to show where our donations are going."

    People can continue to turn in pledge cards to the Alumni Relations Office, 1028 Murphy, until Friday, Nov. 6.
    United Way committee members are:

DeeDee Attebury
Karen Briscoe
Deb Brogden
Jim Burton
Gloria Cheung
Diane Clark
Dan Conyers
Mike Curtin
Donald Ellenberger
Moffett Ferguson
Amy Franken
Mike Garrison
Janet Gibson
Debbie Hilt
Adam Keener
Avis Moore
Jan Schmidt
Darren Rivera and
Annie Stanley and
Carol White, co-chairs

Around KUMC...
What’s New

Veteran's Day is holiday For classified, unclassified employees
    University classified and unclassified healthcare employees and hospital employees will receive Veteran's Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, as a state holiday. Employees in these two groups who are required to work Nov. 11 to support Medical Center activities and operations will be given appropriate compensation and holiday credit.
    However, Regents unclassified staff are under a different policy. Because this holiday falls during a time when classes are in session, classes should be held as scheduled. Regents unclassified employees are expected to fulfill their duties and responsibilities as dictated by operational demands. Deans, directors, and department heads should use discretion in determining how their units should be staffed and how unclassified staff will be expected to perform their duties for that day.
    For more information or clarification on a specific question, call University Human Resources, ext. 5080.

Medical Arts Symphony concert is Nov. 21
    Mark your calendar for the Nov. 21 concert by the KUMC Medical Arts Symphony. The program is free to the public. Under the direction of Merton Shatzkin, the concert will comprise the Third Symphony, Opus 97 by Robert Schumann, Violoncello-Konzert by Luigi Boccherini, If Only... by Ingrid Stolzel, and Slavonic Dances, Number 8, by Antonin Dvorak. The concert begins at 8 p.m. in Battenfeld Auditorium.

Faculty, fellows, residents urged to attend COBRA issues conference
    COBRA issues and how they affect faculty, fellows and residents are the focus of a Nov. 18 conference. The conference will be noon to 1 p.m. in Sudler Auditorium, third floor of Sudler. KUMC Legal Counsel Steve Ruddick will discuss newly revised regulations regarding emergency medical treatment and the Active Labor Act.
    All staff physicians, fellows, and residents are encouraged to attend this informative conference. Lunch will be provided to physicians who make a reservation with their departmental residency coordinator. For more information, call Charlene Plotycia, ext. 1959 or Cathy Hightower, ext. 7226.

Pediatrics program gets accreditation
    Congratulations to the Pediatric Residency Program for its three-year accreditation by the American Council of Graduate Medical Education. The Department of Pediatrics was notified last week of the accreditation, which is based on the number of patients served, the variety of faculty expertise, board certification scores and teaching styles.
    Accreditation demonstrates that the program meets national standards required of a pediatric residency program for meeting its educational mission.

Anti-violence seminar Nov. 10
    The Human Resources Department and the University Police Department will present "Preventing Violence in the Work Place" from 2 to 4 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 10. The location will be announced by e-mail before the seminar. For more information or to enroll, call ext. 5089.

KPERS Representatives in Town Nov. 9
    Representatives from the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS) will be in the Kansas City area and available for individual counseling for employees 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 9. Counseling services will be at the Shawnee Civic Center, 13817 Johnson Dr., Shawnee. Call 1-877-205-4916 to schedule an appointment to discuss any questions regarding KPERS and retirement benefits.

Lied Center tickets on sale
    Medical Center faculty, employees and students can buy tickets to performances at the Lied Center, Lawrence, at the KUMC Bookstore. Tickets are available for Patsy, at 8 p.m. Oct. 30 (Broadway & Beyond series); Anonymous 4 at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 1 (Swarthout Chamber music); Ballet Hispanico at 8 p.m. Nov. 14 (New Directions series); The King and I at 2 and 8 p.m. Nov. 21; and A Christmas Carol at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 (Family series).

Help Someone Else. Donate Books!
    Have some used books that can be used by children and youth in developing countries? Drop them off at the KUMC Bookstore. The Bookstore works with the National Association of College Stores to collect used, hardcover books for donation to children in developing nations. Books should be in good, clean condition. In addition, they should not be older than two copyrights (5 or 7 years old). The bookstore accepts books for all ages, pre-school, elementary, high school and college. Needed most: math, science, classics, and health sciences. Please don't donate magazines or journals. You can bring all donations to the Bookstore receiving room.

Native American culture featured in film series
    The November Cultural Film Series will emphasize the effects of stripping the cultural foundation away from an indigenous people. Highlighted will be the film, The Lysol Gang, a movie about indigenous people whose poverty feeds alcoholism. Cornel Pewewardy, assistant professor in the KU Department of Teaching and Leadership, Lawrence, is facilitator. Stop by the Sudler Auditorium at 4:30 p.m. for some snacks and stay for the 5 p.m. movie and discussion.

Buddhist lama to speak Nov. 4
    Chuck Stanford, an ordained Buddhist lama, shares secrets of the "Eightfold Path" at the Nov. 4 meeting of KUMC Interfaith. The meeting will be noon to 1 p.m. in 4893 Eaton (E Bldg.). Everyone is welcome.
Kathryn Ballou Wins
Prestigious Scholarships

   Congratulations to Kathryn Ballou, doctoral student in the School of Nursing, who has received the Liesel M. Hiemenz Fund and the Margaret G. Tyson Scholarship awards from the Nurses' Educational Fund.
    The $4,500 scholarship recognizes Ballou's academic achievements and her potential as a future leader of the nursing profession. Ballou is one of 16 master's and doctoral degree students who received an NEF award this year. Since its inception in 1911, as the Isabel Hampton Robb Memorial Fund, NEF has given more than $1 million to nurses who have gone on to become deans and directors, administrators, researchers and leaders in the profession.
    Ballou began her PhD coursework in 1996 and plans to complete her dissertation by spring 2001. She also teaches full time at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Nursing.
    "The Nurses' Educational Fund scholarship program is extremely competitive," said Nancy Hoffart, RN, PhD, associate professor who is Ballou's adviser and a past recipient of an NEF scholarship. "Kathy certainly is very deserving and will clearly fulfill the expectations that the NEF has of its scholarship recipients."

Diversity, healthy families the theme of new paintings
    The energy of KU Medical Center and the diversity of its workforce and community are the theme of three paintings decorating the entry walls of the hospital lobby. The artwork by Daniel L. Boylan also represents healthy families.
    "We felt that the lobby needed a bright spot to reflect the diverse group of individuals who comprise the KU Med family," said Irene Cumming, president and CEO of the hospital. "We were committed to creating a warm and welcoming feeling for our patients, visitors and employees as they enter our hospital. The artwork has certainly accomplished that goal.”
    A native of Omaha, Boylan has work exhibited at the Theatre of the Arts in Santa Fe, Argentina, the United Airlines terminal in Miami, and the Federal Reserve Bank and IBM Corporation in Kansas City.

School of Medicine chosen to be 'Models that Work' national pilot site

    The KU School of Medicine is one of seven sites nationwide selected to be a pilot site for the federal "Models that Work" program in faculty development.
    A program of the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA), US Department of Health and Human Services, "Models that Work" is designed to enhance faculty development in medical education. As a part of it, KU School of Medicine will develop a model which ensures that faculty development programs are based on the needs of faculty. The model then can be used by medical schools across the country to strengthen their own faculty development programs.
    The School of Medicine will work with HRSA consultants to create, implement and evaluate a faculty development needs assessment program. To be included in the assessment program are enhancing scholarly publications and research, increasing classroom communication skills, and strengthening faculty administration proficiency in areas such as leadership, time management and conflict resolution.
    In addition to implementing the model, the School will evaluate its effectiveness and publish the results in a national academic medical journal.

MPH Kansas Granted National Accreditation

    The master of public health degree program, jointly offered through the University of Kansas and Wichita State University, has received national accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). The joint program-dubbed MPH Kansas-is part of the Department of Preventive Medicine.
    The 36-credit-hour MPH Program is designed to meet the needs of working health care professionals in Kansas, and to prepare students for a growing number of public health positions in Kansas and across the country.
        For information about the Master of Public Health Program call Stanley A. Edlavitch, PhD, MA, MPH Program director at KU Medical Center, Kansas City, ext. 2720, or Craig A. Molgaard, PhD, MPH director, at KU School of Medicine-Wichita, 316/293-2606.

Donald Hagen, EVC

Last week we were honored to attend the Kemper Fellows Program at Budig Hall in Lawrence. There, 20 faculty members received their certificates as Kemper Fellows. It was an event to remember, as each faculty member gave a three to five minute perspective about why his or her teaching might be recognized as outstanding. The quality of the presentations was wonderful, and the dedication of the professionals before us was obvious.
There were several main themes, which were common to all of the presentations. They clearly demonstrated their loyalty to the profession. Unfortunately we did not have the session taped, but these are some of the themes that I heard.
First, each faculty member had a passion for teaching-a genuine dedication to the profession, which clearly drove each winner to establishing a relationship with students that, was trans-generational. This relationship often extended from a former teacher to the current teacher and to the students. The relationship is obviously a two-way relationship. Each participant learns from the other. There is a mentoring and nurturing environment that stimulates a search for knowledge. Learning is difficult for everyone, but exciting and rewarding. There was tremendous innovation, clearly obvious in preparation for the classroom experience and in the teaching styles themselves. There was a great deal of emphasis on bridging with the outside community, to demonstrate the importance of education in the future careers of the students. I was proud of our university and proud of our faculty. They clearly are worthy of the praise and recognition.
We of the University owe a huge debt of gratitude to the William T. Kemper Foundation, Commerce Bank, and the KU Endowment Association for making these events possible. I sincerely hope that next year we will have a repeat performance and that you will all be able to attend. Nothing can make you feel better than seeing your colleagues in the profession excel in the eyes of their peers. We have a wonderful institution, which deserves even greater recognition because of the people who make it excel.

Classifieds

For Sale
Skyflyer full body exerciser, stairmaster, and skeeball machine. Call 299-8772.

Clothes dryer, Kenmore electric, large capacity, works well. $75. Refrigerator, Wards 17-cubic-foot, gold. $150. Call 432-2602.

Office room dividers with two fluorescent lights and electrical outlet. No. 1 panels, 18½ inches by 61½ inches and No. 6 panels (blue fabric) 30 inches by 61½ inches. $75 for all. Call 523-5822.

Garage Sales
Saturday, Nov. 7, only, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Winter clothes for women and kids, jewelry, kitchen items, winter coats. 2103 W 42nd Avenue.

Wanted
Baby-sitter needed for my 8-month old daughter in my home, two minutes from KUMC on Wednesdays and Fridays 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. $6 an hour. Call Allison, 362-4028.

Pets
Dog run for large dog. Inexpensive. Call 363-1105.

Two seal point, male Siamese cats available to good home. Inside cats both have been neutered and de-clawed in front. Cats need home because mother-in-law is entering nursing home. Call 681-0406.

Housing
For rent: One-bedroom apartments at 42nd and Rainbow, off-street parking, water paid. $330 per month. Call 753-2260.

For rent: Carport parking available for one vehicle, seven minutes walk, 1½ blocks from KUMC at 42nd Avenue and Eaton. $15 a month. Call 384-1629 after 5:15 p.m.

For rent: Need to store your motorcycle or small vehicle for winter? Rent my garage for $25 a week or $95 a month, cash only. Call 432-7475.

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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