April/May 2008: Diversity
President's Corner: New Vice President for Development
This Month's Feature
The Texas A&M Health Science Center vision is that faculty, staff and students are united by a belief that all people - regardless of geography, economics or culture - deserve the benefits of compassionate care, superior science and exceptional health education.
Consistent with its mission, the HSC is called to recruit a diverse body of outstanding students, reflective of Texas and drawn not only from across the state but also from throughout the nation, along with a faculty as notable for its cultural richness as for its character and accomplishments. It also will take full advantage of its geographically dispersed locations to create a widespread, multi-cultural community.
Read the rest of our April/May 2008 feature story.
In the News
- HSC-BCD pipeline program awarded Robert Wood Johnson, TG grants
- HSC-IBT researchers discover receptor's role in glaucoma, related eye diseases
- HSC-COM Dr. Baker receives AHA Award of Meritorious Achievement
- School of Rural Public Health celebrating 2008 National Public Health Week
- HSC-SRPH announces winners of National Public Health Week poster contest
- HSC-SRPH receives gift from Chevron for environmental health and safety
- HSC-SRPH to provide training to U.S. Army Community Health Practice Branch
Hometown Health
- Flu is nothing to sneeze at Influenza, better known as the flu, is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by Influenza A or B viruses...
- Save lives by donating blood It's a quick, easy process, but the results can last a lifetime...
- Treating mental health issues with primary care physician Mental health issues, including depression, are serious and treatable...
- Consult your pharmacist when quitting smoking If you're looking for a successful plan to quit smoking, there's one element you do not want to leave out - forming a partnership with your pharmacist...
- Be cautious when starting fad diet Did you start the New Year off with the intention of losing weight by following the latest diet craze, and you've given up already?...
- Jaw aches can indicate sinus infection Due to allergies - mostly during seasons when ragweed, pollen, mold and the like are growing - thousands of people are miserable because of the usual symptoms associated with the reaction their immune systems have to these plants...
Administrative Updates
HSC remembers Rangel College of Pharmacy Dr. Martin Farias
Dr. Martin Farias III, 35, of Kingsville passed away Saturday, April 12, 2008, surrounded by his loving family. Dr. Farias was among the first faculty members hired at the Texas A&M Health Science Center Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, serving as assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences.
"Dr. Martin Farias was a consummate teacher, a promising scholar, and a caring and conscientious colleague who was loved by faculty, staff and students," said Indra K. Reddy, Ph.D., founding dean of the HSC-Rangel College of Pharmacy. "Dr. Farias was a model faculty citizen who exemplified the College’s governing values – care, concern, courtesy, compassion and competence – to the core. The College of Pharmacy, and I personally, will deeply miss him."
Dr. Farias received his Ph.D. in physiology from the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth in 2003. He taught at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center before coming to the HSC- COP in summer 2006.
During his brief career with the Health Science Center, Dr. Farias received many honors. In September 2007, he was inducted into the HSC Cardiovascular Research Institute. He was also appointed to the American Physiology Society Professional Skills Training Advisory Board and served as a mentor for the American Physiological Society Travel Fellows Program and for the National Institutes of Health Minority Access to Research Careers Program.
Dr. Farias was a 2007 recipient of the Steps Toward Academic Research fellowship, receiving a grant from the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities to stimulate research in health disparities.
"Dr. Farias established a wonderful rapport with the pharmacy students and a great working relationship with faculty and staff," said Anna Ratka, Ph.D., Pharm.D., chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. "Dr. Farias was always eager to volunteer and take initiative. His smile never left him. Through his productivity and dedication, Martin made significant contributions to the new Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and to the overall growth of the College of Pharmacy."
Pharmacy students recalled Dr. Farias' love for his work, both in and out of the classroom.
"Dr. Farias was a very kind and fair professor and mentor," said Jennifer Thompson, second-year pharmacy student. "He managed to maintain a professional relationship with his students but still made us feel like he was one of us. He was a very real person who worked tirelessly towards two goals: teaching us the material we needed to know and making us laugh every day. His smile was contagious, and he was caring, too."
Justin Markley, second-year pharmacy student, said: "His lectures were clear, concise, accurate and, without fail, he would include a bit of humor. It was not uncommon for one of his family members or another faculty member to appear in one of his presentation slides as part of a joke. It was all in good fun! Dr. Farias was a good man, and we will miss him greatly. He was here from the beginning, with the Class of 2010, and we are privileged to have had him for the time that we did. It is a shame that future classes will not have the same experience."
Dr. Farias is survived by his wife of six years, Valerie, four young children – Haley, John, Gianna and Isabella – his mother, Mary Lou Mayorga, his father, Martin Farias Jr., his brother, Danny (Christy) Farias, his sister, Janine (Mario) Maldonado, his maternal grandparents, Daniel and Francis Ramirez, paternal grandmother, Rosa Farias, and numerous aunts, uncles and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his maternal great-grandparents, Juan and Maria Luisa (Wicha) Zarate, and his paternal grandfather, Martin Farias Sr.
Memorials may be made to the Texas A&M Health Science Center Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, 1010 W. Avenue B., Kingsville, Texas 78363-8202.
Programmatic review set for May 8
Annually, the Texas A&M Health Science Center administration has an opportunity to present to the A&M System administration its anticipated plans, challenges and opportunities for the coming year. This year, for the first time, the presentation will be open for observing by faculty and staff.
The programmatic review is Thursday, May 8 from 9 a.m. to noon. Nancy W. Dickey, M.D., President of the Texas A&M Health Science Center and Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs for the Texas A&M University System; A&M System Chancellor Michael D. McKinney, M.D.; and their staff will be in Room 109 of the HSC-School of Rural Public Health complex in College Station. It will be televised to HSC-Baylor College of Dentistry, Room 606; HSC-College of Medicine at Round Rock, Room HSC-OTS; HSC-COM at Temple, Lecture Hall 2; HSC-Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, Room 115; and HSC-Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Room 1105.
HSC personnel are invited to listen to the presentation. There is no opportunity for interaction.
Enterprise Risk and Opportunity Management committee overview
As indicated in the February issue of HSC Pulse, regular updates will be provided on the Enterprise Risk and Opportunity Management (EROM) process. This edition contains a brief committee overview.
The structure and organization of separate, yet interconnected, EROM committees is based on a three-tier model. At the first level, a component committee (Unit-Level Working EROM Committee) consists of individuals who can best identify the risks and opportunities that exist within their unit (component) on a daily basis. An HSC Steering Committee of the Unit-Level Working Committee chairs – along with a Faculty Senate representative and Central Administration personnel – will review, consolidate and prioritize component input.
Based on its unique perspective of the total enterprise, the HSC Executive Committee – the third tier – will evaluate the recommendations and develop a plan within the institution’s risk appetite and risk tolerance.
A future issue of the HSC Pulse will provide responsibilities of individual committees.
Chancellor's Century Council visits Health Science Center
The Texas A&M University System Century Council was given an in-depth look into the Texas A&M Health Science Center through tours and faculty presentations at its annual meeting in late February.
Established in 1987, the Chancellor’s Century Council brings supportive people together to strengthen ties between the A&M System and the private sector. The full council meets annually at a System university to witness first-hand the contributions of each System member.
As part of its visit to Bryan-College Station, Council members were given an introduction by Nancy W. Dickey, M.D., President of the Texas A&M Health Science Center and Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs for the Texas A&M University System; and toured School of Rural Public Health and College of Medicine facilities. HSC-SRPH presentations were given by Dean Ciro V. Sumaya, M.D., M.P.H.T.M; and faculty Jane Bolin, Ph.D., J.D.; Barbara Quiram, Ph.D.; and Catherine Hawes, Ph.D. College of Medicine speakers included Martin Scholtz, Ph.D., and Farida Sohrabji, Ph.D., along with Theresa Fossum of Texas A&M University and director of the Texas Institute for Preclinical Studies (TIPS).
Scott Lillibridge, M.D., assistant dean at the HSC-SRPH and director of the HSC Global Health and Security Program, also addressed the Chancellor’s Century Council during its visit to the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX).
COM Temple vice dean accepted into Association of American Physicians
Donald E. Wesson, M.D., F.A.C.P., vice dean for the Temple campus of the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, recently was accepted into the Association of American Physicians.
With a goal of pursuing medical knowledge and advancing the application of science to clinical medicine, the Association of American Physicians was founded in 1885 by seven physicians, including the "Father of Modern Medicine" - Sir William Osler. Today, it boasts more than a thousand active members and 550 emeritus and honorary members, including Nobel laureates and members of the National Academy of Science and the Institute of Medicine.
Dr. Wesson is also chief academic officer for Scott & White and special assistant to the chief of staff for the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System. He was formally inducted into the organization in late April at the AAP Annual Dinner in Chicago.
United Way recognizes Health Science Center for contributions
The Texas A&M Health Science Center was recently recognized by the United Way of the Brazos Valley for its charitable contributions.
For 2007, the HSC was honored as the agency with the largest dollar increase and the agency with the largest percentage increase. Leah Stone in the Office of the President accepted the awards March 6 at the United Way of the Brazos Valley Ninth Annual Recognition Luncheon.
Overall, the United Way of the Brazos Valley topped the $1.5 million goal for its 2007 campaign after raising $1.45 million in 2006.
HSC Alliance of Libraries
The Texas A&M Health Science Center Alliance of Libraries seeks to assure information access for all HSC-affiliated students, faculty, staff and the librarians serving them. It is responsible for making a comprehensive array of information resources easily accessible to individuals in participating institutions.
Participants are Texas A&M University Medical Science Library, Texas A&M College of Medicine, College of Medicine Learning Resources Unit, Baylor College of Dentistry, Baylor Health Sciences Library in Dallas, Darnall Army Community Hospital Medical Library in Fort Hood, Department of Veterans Affairs Central Texas Health Care System Library Service in Temple and Waco, Driscoll Children’s Hospital Robert B. Parrish Medical Library in Corpus Christi, Scott & White Memorial Hospital Richard D. Haines Medical Library in Temple, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Mary and Jeff Bell Library, and the Texas A&M University Learning Resources Center in Temple.
HSC launches new job site
The Texas A&M Health Science Center has launched a new job website – jobs.tamhsc.edu
Previously, the HSC utilized the Texas A&M University System jobsite. A link will be provided at the A&M System site directing visitors to the new HSC web address.
The HSC jobsite will have detailed job descriptions and application information for professional, administrative, financial and research positions. For more information, contact the HSC Office of Human Resources at (979) 458-7268.
HSC-SRPH student to present poster at Delta Omega annual meeting
Darcy Moudouni, health policy and management graduate student in the Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health, has been selected to present a poster at the October annual meeting of the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health.
Moudouni will present her poster, “Correlates of Fall-Related Mortality in U.S. Elderly,” at the Delta Omega academic poster session held in conjunction with the American Public Health Association annual meeting, Oct. 25-29 in San Diego. She will join 18 other student presenters from other schools of public health.
Moudouni was invited to submit an abstract for the poster session after being named the winner of the HSC-SRPH student poster competition during National Public Health Week, April 7-13.
HSC-IBT hosts second annual Miss Reville Dog Walk and Fun Run
Benefiting the Texas A&M Health Science Center Institute of Biosciences and Technology and the Houston A&M Club, the second annual Miss Reveille Dog Walk and Fun Run on Sunday, April 27 attracted 260 adult runners and walkers, 40 children and 90 volunteers.
Sharron Melton, KTRK-TV (ABC) Channel 13 anchorwoman and Texas A&M University graduate, was emcee for the 5K run and dog walk at HSC-IBT. Prizes were awarded in various divisions.
President's Corner: New Vice President for Development
It gives me great pleasure to announce the appointment of Mr. Russell “Russ” Gibbs as Vice President for Development, effective April 1. He brings energy, enthusiasm and commitment to this important office.
Mr. Gibbs will oversee the development efforts of the HSC, including providing leadership and mentoring to a development team with varying levels of experience. He will be developing and implementing our first-ever university-wide capital campaign, cultivating potential donors, expanding the base of support for the Health Science Center, and managing a portfolio of key prospects. He will work closely with the deans and college development officers to assess and operationalize the strategic fundraising objectives of the colleges. Finally, Mr. Gibbs will serve as staff liaison to the Health Science Center Foundation Board.
A native of Midland, Texas, Mr. Gibbs earned a B.A. in Religion in 1975 from Baylor University. He obtained a Master of Divinity and Ph.D. in Ministries from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1979 and 1995, respectively. As a certified fundraising executive (C.F.R.E.), Mr. Gibbs possesses 30 years of experience in fundraising. His expertise is in major gifts, campaign and planned giving fundraising. Recently, he served as Interim Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement and Chief Operating Officer of the Texas Tech Foundation, Inc.
An exceptional individual, Mr. Gibbs’ selection came at the conclusion of a lengthy national search. His ethics, experience and vision will take the Health Science Center to the next level of fundraising. We are very fortunate to recruit a professional of such stature.
Please join me in giving Mr. Gibbs a warm welcome!Feedback
Your feedback is important to us. For comments or questions about the HSC Pulse, contact Scott Maier, HSC Communications, at (979) 458-0770 or samaier@tamhsc.edu
