June 20, 2008

Welcome to the University of Michigan Medical School E-News, your source for quick and current news from the medical school community.

Paul R. Lichter, M.D., receives top ophthalmology award
Paul R. Lichter, M.D., received the Lucien Howe Medal for his distinguished service to ophthalmology at the May meeting of the American Ophthalmological Society. The Howe Medal, first awarded in 1922, is one of the highest honors in the field of ophthalmology.

Lichter, a glaucoma specialist, is chair and F. Bruce Fralick Professor of the University of Michigan Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. He is also director of the W.K. Kellogg Eye Center. Lichter was recognized for his service to professional organizations, his research on the genetics of glaucoma, and his leadership in bringing about two major building projects for the Eye Center. The W.K. Kellogg Eye Center was dedicated in 1985; the current Eye Center and Brehm Center will open in 2010.

Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Research Center request for project proposals
The Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Research Center invites members of the U-M scientific community to submit a letter of intent for a project to be included in the competing renewal application of the Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. The proposed research should be relevant to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Three projects will be funded for a period of five years beginning June 1, 2010 to May 31, 2015.

Letters of intent must be submitted by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12. Letters are limited to five pages (single space, 12 point font, Times Roman), and must include:

• Title and list of investigators
• Specific Aims, including hypotheses
• Background;
• Methods
• References

Letters must include biographical sketches including current support, for all investigators on NIH PHS 398 forms. For questions or to submit letter of intent, e-mail Courtney Kennedy at clkenned@med.umich.edu.

U-M Makes the News!
M-News Now is a Web page with timely information about members of the UMHS community who are in the news. See who is being interviewed or where their comments are being published at M-News Now!

June 18
--Dr. Woolliscroft in Detroit News

June 16
--Dr. Birkmeyer and Dr. Birkmeyer in Free Press

June 13
--WTKA 1050 AM for Mott, Women's radio-a-thon

News Releases and Health Minute
For medical press releases and the details behind the headlines, visit http://www2.med.umich.edu/prmc/media/relarch.cfm

Next Week's Health Minute
Could heart transplants become a thing of the past?

Medical School FAQs
Not sure where to get your questions pertaining to the U-M Medical School answered? The FAQ page links to a variety of resources on such things as information and support, educational programs, research and policy information. The site also lists some useful U-M resources.

Weekly Joint Commission Quizlette
This week's step toward continuous readiness: Test your knowledge of cultural competency and compliance - Part 2.

1. According to Joint Commission data, poor communication with patients and families can contribute to which of the following adverse events:

A. Medication errors
B. Patient suicide
C. Restraint death
D. All of the above
E. A and C

2. Besides there being possible language barriers, cross-cultural misunderstandings can emerge between the patient/family and caregiver stemming from:

A. Differences in health beliefs and practices
B. Mistrust of healthcare institutions
C. Differences in cultural traditions
D. The role of family in decision making
E. All of the above
F. A and C only

Answers