Legislative session yields pay raises,
children's cancer funding
Q: Before we talk about how well we fared in general, bring us up to date on an item that received a lot of headlines: the proposed $200 million endowment for a Children's Cancer Research Center at the Health Science Center.
A: The Health Science Center received a great boost with the Legislature's decision to keep intact the $200 million for an endowment to create and support a Children's Cancer Research Center in San Antonio. As you may remember, there were several moves to transfer $50 million of that proposed endowment to another city. This community pulled together in an amazing way to convince the legislators that those funds would be spent wisely and well right here, because of the strength of the programs we already have in place. We are extremely grateful to our hard-working Bexar County delegation, and to Senate Finance Chairman Bill Ratliff and House Appropriations Chairman Rob Junell, who provided the leadership to keep the entire amount intact on behalf of the children of Texas.
I also want to give credit to members of our Development Board and leaders of the business community, who pulled together in a wonderful way to ensure that this funding stayed intact. The stakes were huge, and we are grateful to our community leaders who were so effective on our behalf.
Q: And of course, everyone is concerned about salary. Did the Legislature grant any salary increases for state employees?
A: Our number-one priority was our people, the dedicated faculty and staff who make the Health Science Center the outstanding place that it is. The good news is there will be an opportunity for salary increases. The Legislature allocated some funds, and we have decided to augment that for employees here at the Health Science Center. The Legislature mandated a $100 a month raise for non-faculty employees beginning Sept. 1, 1999, and we have added funding so that everyone--faculty and non-faculty alike--will be eligible for a merit raise, also effective Sept. 1, 1999.
While the Legislature funded a 3 percent salary increase for faculty that would take effect Sept. 1, 2000, we decided our faculty should be eligible for merit raises this year, so we added funding to the budget so that faculty, too, will be eligible this year for a merit raise that will average 3 percent.
In summary: All non-faculty members will receive a minimum increase of $100 per month and will have an opportunity for a merit increase, which, in total for all non-faculty, will average 3 percent. All faculty will also have an opportunity for a merit increase of an average of 3 percent.
Q: What about our infrastructure needs at our locations here in San Antonio?
A. We received an increase that will allow us to address some of our needs for both technology and infrastructure (equipment, laboratories, etc.). The Executive Committee will determine the exact distribution of those funds.
Q: In general, how did higher education do during this legislative session?
A: While we had some very real successes, I would be less than candid if I didn't address the fact that higher education ended the session with many unmet needs. The budget surplus went primarily for the tax rebate and the salary increase for public school teachers. While we are very supportive of both of these, we have had an indication that the next session will be a major opportunity for higher education to have its turn at bat.
Q: How did we do in special items, such as appropriations for South Texas?
A: Our South Texas /Border Region Health Education Initiatives continue to be funded, and the vital work we are doing in the region will continue to enhance opportunities for future health professionals. The Regional Academic Health Center also received significant legislative funding. In addition, the Health Science Center's presence in Laredo was funded.
We are excited about the new and continuing initiatives that will benefit the South Texas/Border Region.
Q: Any further thoughts about how we are now positioned for the next two years?
A: The next two years look bright for the Health Science Center as we are able to make necessary upgrades to our infrastructure, to plan and develop the facilities and research activities for the Children's Cancer Research Center here in San Antonio, to develop the Regional Academic Health Center in the Lower Rio Grande Valley and to expand our presence in Laredo. We will remember and celebrate the incredible community support we receive on an ongoing basis. Thanks to our state legislators and our supporters throughout Texas, we are extremely well positioned to provide even more extensive health education research and care for the citizens of Texas and residents of this part of the state.
Marking its second year, the event, a partnership between the Health Science Center, Brooke Army Medical Center and Wilford Hall Medical Center, was held at the San Antonio Convention Center June 4-6.
It was an educational experience for all involved, including Health Science Center Women's Health Initiative representatives Carann Easton and
Lizabeth Reilly, obstetrics and gynecology.
For example, they were surprised and gratified at the amount of interest generated by their display of Pap Smear instruments. While the equipment was familiar to many women, others had never experienced the procedure. Seeing the equipment used and being able to ask questions helped dispel many of their fears, said Easton and Reilly. There was also a great deal of interest in the infertility study and treatments.
Another popular exhibit was the breast model, used to help women and their partners recognize what a breast lump feels like.
Next year the women plan to add information and displays on osteoporosis and methods of contraception. And they plan to bring along some obstetrics nurses to answer questions about prenatal care and delivery.
Other Health Science Center exhibits included "Epilepsy: When Medicines Fail"; "Microbes and Disease"; "Poison Proof Your Home"; "Division of Community Pediatrics: Women, Children and Families Affected by HIV/AIDS in South Texas"; "Do You Have Diabetes?" and "Laboratory Tests: Your Body's Secrets Revealed."
The Aging Research and Education Center, Department of Psychiatry, Sleep Disorders Clinic and Health Science Center Briscoe Library were also represented at the
event.
American Medical News quoted and pictured Dr. Donald Gordon, emergency medical technology, in a story on the Health Science Center's leading role in developing EMS telemedicine.
The Associated Press interviewed Dr. Gordon for a story on ephedrine regulation.
AARC Times wrote a feature story on Dr. David Shelledy, respiratory care.
The San Jose Mercury News quoted Dr. Kenneth Hargreaves, pharmacology, in a piece on cannabinoids.
The Palestine Herald Press ran a story on the allocation of tobacco settlement funds to health centers in Texas, including the Health Science Center.
The Eagle Pass News Gram wrote an article on a grant that would complete Fort Duncan Medical Center's project to connect with the Health Science Center.
Dr. Glenn Toney, physiology, was interviewed for an article on "runner's high," and Dr. Jan Bruder, medicine, was quoted in an article on osteoporosis. The daily also spoke with Dr. Steven Pliszka, psychiatry, on the benefits of using Adderall over Ritalin for treating children with attention deficit disorder.
A story on the high rates of sexually transmitted diseases in incarcerated girls quoted Pat Kelly, family nursing care.
Dr. Ruth A. Pakieser, nursing, wrote a letter to the editor on the low priority given to women's health, and Dr. Donald Gordon, emergency medical technology, was quoted in an op-ed piece on lax regulations governing the use of ephedrine.
Susan Yerkes mentioned Drs. Charles Bowden, Bankole Johnson and John Roache, psychiatry, and Dr. John P. Howe, III, president, in a column on Dr. Johnson's move to the Health Science Center. Dr. Janet Allen, nursing school dean, also appeared in Yerkes' column about graduation ceremonies at the Nursing School.
The Physical Therapy Olympics sponsored by the Health Science Center were featured in an Express-News article, as was the opening celebration at the Texas Diabetes Institute.
Dr. I. Jon Russell, director of the University Clinical Research Center and author of The Fibromyalgia Help Book, was quoted in an article about fibromyalgia.
Also interviewed on KENS were Dr. Maria L. Howell, restorative dentistry, on the ineffectiveness of whitening toothpaste; Dr. Connie Mobley, community dentistry, on the high fat and calorie counts in restaurant meals and whether diet supplements really work; and Dr. Pam Otto, radiology, about FDA regulations on notifying patients of mammogram results.
Dr. Anatolio Cruz, surgery, was interviewed on
KENS; KMOL, Channel 4; KSAT, Channel 12;
and KABB, Channel 29, on the drug Tamoxifen.
Dr. Linda Rhodes, psychiatry, appeared on
KABB, Channel 29, in the aftermath of the Littleton
disaster, to discuss violence in children, and Dr. Daniel
Hale, pediatrics, was interviewed on pediatric diabetes.
Dr. Sylvia P. Fernandez, director of the office of special programs, was the subject of an article in the San Antonio College weekly
The Ranger. Fernandez, a member of the Governor's Commission on Women, spoke at the SAC visual arts center for Women's History
Week on her experience as a cancer survivor and the importance of education and prevention in women's health issues.
Dr. Robert Castro, pediatrics, was quoted in an article in the
San Antonio Business Journal on the HSC's role in the HealthWalk for March of Dimes.
The Medical Gazette wrote about the Dental School's Miles for Smiles program, and quoted Dr. Robert N. Schnitzler, medicine, in a story on the off-pump heart bypass procedure.
Five Health Science Center researchers recently received pilot project awards totaling $122,000 from the San Antonio Cancer Institute (SACI). Drs. Helen M.
Chew, Department of Medicine/Medical Oncology, and Teresa Johnson-Pais, Department of Pediatrics, received funding under the new category for Mentored Junior Faculty.
These include unfunded instructors or assistant professors within five years of completing postdoctoral studies or clinical fellowships. Dr. Chew's project is titled "BRCA1 Interacts with 1N28, a Novel Transcription Factor," and Dr. Johnson-Pais is studying "A Functional Role for Chromosome 18 in Prostate Cancer Metastasis."
The three other pilot projects approved for funding went to Dr.
Jinkun Chen, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, who is studying
"Bone Sailoprotein (BSP) in Bone Metastasis of Mammary
Carcinomas;" Dr. Robert J. Klebe, of the Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, for the project "Role of MMP-8 in Melanoma Invasiveness;" and Dr. P. Renee Yew, Department of Molecular Medicine, whose project is "Cdc34 Regulation of DNA Replication in Vertebrates."
The Legislature approved some $598 million in new general revenue appropriations for operating budgets of public universities and health science centers--a 13.4 percent increase. In addition, the Legislature appropriated funds for debt service on university revenue bonds, for operation of community and technical colleges, and other items for a total increase in higher education appropriations in excess of $1.2 billion.
This is the second session in a row in which legislators have provided appropriations increases that will help close the gap in funding between Texas institutions and both the national average and the average in the 10 most populous states. By continuing this pattern of increased public support, lawmakers have demonstrated their fundamental commitment to a strong system of higher education that is better prepared to meet the needs of Texans as we enter the 21st century.
The higher education community is deeply grateful to Gov. George W. Bush, Lt. Gov. Rick Perry, House Speaker Pete Laney and Comptroller Carole Keeton Rylander for their leadership during the session. We are also grateful for the vision and dedication of Sen. Bill Ratliff, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee; Rep. Rob Junell, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee; and the San Antonio area delegation in the Legislature.
Across the U.
San Antonio appropriations
That amount for the Health Science Center includes income from a $200 million endowment from the state's tobacco lawsuit settlement. The endowment will support research and treatment related to children's cancer and is expected to generate $9 million per year for the Health Science Center's budget. Altogether, U.
Other pieces of landmark legislation benefiting San Antonio and
South Texas include:
Funding for resources, scholarships
In addition to the appropriations for operating budgets, the Legislature approved special capital expenditures at some Permanent University Fund institutions, so that their capital resources will be more equitable in relation to institutions in the state's Higher Education Fund. U.
The Legislature also approved a resolution affecting investment and spending of the Permanent University Fund that will go to the voters in November as an amendment to the state Constitution. The proposed amendment would make the Permanent University Fund a "total return" fund. That means the spendable resources would consist not only of dividend and interest income, as in current provisions of the Constitution, but also a limited portion of capital gains.
This new asset-based spending policy would provide the foundation for preserving the purchasing power of the PUF. Thus, it would result in increased capital support for U.
These and other measures approved by the 76th Legislature position
higher education to help Texas meet the economic and social challenges
of the new century. The long-term results of the state's significant
new investments will be a more educated citizenry, a better trained
work force, and a more prosperous and healthier society--in short, a greatly enhanced quality of life for all Texans.
Dr. William H. Cunningham is chancellor of The University of Texas
System.
Dr. Jeffery Kreisberg, pathology, played a role in obtaining the new equipment for the STVHCS Research and Development Service.
Researchers from both the Health Science Center and the STVHCS will be able to use the equipment to further research projects.
"This microscope will allow fixed and live cells to be examined after treatment with fluorescent dyes and stains," Dr. Kreisberg said. "A major problem with conventional microscopy, which was solved by confocal microscopy, was the presence of out-of-focus fluorescence which lead to a high amount of background noise, thus obscuring
the image."
The introduction of the confocal microscope has eliminated this problem, according to Dr. Kreisberg, "by only allowing light from the plane of focus to be recorded."
In addition, true, three-dimensional data can be recorded by the confocal laser scanning microscope.
The $250,000 microscope was purchased through a grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The award-winning group included the Health Science Center's Dr. Robert Villarreal, Sarah Harding and Dr. Ronald Stewart. Also recognized for their part in the project were the University Health System's George Hernandez, Jr., Jacque Burandt, Susan Douglass and Community First Health Plan staff members Dr. Karen Glenney and Susan Lomba.
Dr. Villarreal, STHRC director, was recognized individually recently for work on the Shattered Dreams Program when he received the highest honor granted to
civilians by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) for his efforts to educate young people about the dangers of drinking and driving. Dr. Villarreal was awarded the Bert Ford Commendation for helping to institute the Shattered Dreams curriculum for high schools, demonstrating the impact of alcohol-related injury and death on individuals and families.
The award, named for a former TABC administrator, salutes Dr. Villarreal for his "compassion, commitment and courage."
This year, the AHA is offering the option of filing applications electronically. Submissions are transmitted to a secure site on AHA's intranet via FTP (file transfer protocol). Application forms can be downloaded from the AHA Web site. Contact Mario Medina in Grants Management at extension 4079, or e-mail him at <medinamr@uthscsa.edu> for more information on electronic submission.
Direct any other questions to Liz Buel, extension 2330, <buele@uthscsa.edu>.
What is the Year 2000 problem?
Some computer software and hardware won't recognize that the 20th century is over. The computers recognize 19001999, but may mistake the year 2000 for 1900. The problem affects computer systems worldwide and a small number of microchips that help run appliances, machinery and other devices such as research and medical equipment.
How does it affect HSC?
Clinical and lab devices, building automation and security systems, and dozens of administrative computer systems are vulnerable to Year 2000, or Y2K, problems.
Glitches in telephone networks or desktop computers also could be disruptive. Fortunately, work began in 1996 to identify and resolve potential problems.
What is being done on campus?
Major administrative computer systems have been converted and tested to function properly in 2000. More than 70 employees have worked in their respective departments since 1997 as Year 2000 coordinators. They have tested computers and software, and helped their co-workers identify mission-critical processes threatened by Year 2000 problems. They inventoried 12,000 pieces of computer hardware, software and other devices, and helped identify those that are critical to their work. Most items have already been fixed, replaced or retired. We have contacted 400 key supplies of goods and services, and evaluated their responses to their own Y2K challenges.
Current items on the site include guidelines for establishing rank and tenure for faculty, and a policy on prophylaxis for needle stick or percutaneous fluid exposure. The Web site will be updated as new policies are accepted and added to the operating procedure handbook, and will remain on the site for six months.
The SAAF grant money will enable Health Science Center faculty to study diseases and basic biological mechanisms, to support screening programs, to enrich Medical School curriculum, to assist in community service projects and to fund research equipment acquisition.
The 1999 grant recipients include Dr. John Sheehan, "Risk Factors for
Thrombolism in San Antonio's Hispanic Community"; Dr. William Sponsel, "Purchase of Heidelberg Retinal Flowmeter/Tomograph with 1999 System Upgrade"; Robert Hobson,
"Purchase of Lions Mobile Eye Screening Unit"; Dr. Martha Medrano, "Enhancing Cultural Competence in the Medical School Curriculum Project"; Dr. Margaret Brackley, "University Health System Staff Training for the SAFE Family Project"; Dr. Susan
Ruzicka, "Holistic Intervention in the Management of Elder Chronic Pain"; Dr. Sumathy Mohan, "Possible Role of NF-KB in Atherogenesis"; Dr. Mohan Natarajan, "Melatonin
for Supportive Care Management in AIDS"; Dr. John Schmitz, "System of Instrumentation for Processing and Examination of Bone and Implants in the Maxillofacial Region"; Dr. Steven Bailey, "Endothelial Seeding of Ischemic Myocardium for Vascular Angiogenesis"; Dr. Kyumin Whang, "Engineering Bone Regeneration in Osteoporosis";
Dr. Rosemarie Plaetke, "The Genetic Epidemiology of Diabetic Nephropathy"; and Dr. C. Mauli Agrawal, "Effects of Age-Related Changes in Collagen on Bone Fracture."
Health screenings, exhibits attract
Health and Medicine Expo
visitors
Clearly, the main attraction at this year's South Texas Health and Medicine Expo were the free health screenings. Visitors lined up to get their blood glucose checked, their cholesterol measured, their eyesight examined and their posture evaluated. In addition, Health Science Center professionals were on hand to sign up participants for research studies, such as shingles prevention and infertility.
The Media Report
Tamoxifen, Adderall among many items in the spotlight
Dr. Peter M. Ravdin, medicine, was listed as one of the nation's top cancer specialists for women in
Good Housekeeping magazine.
Dr. Mario Ramirez, vice president for South Texas/Border Initiatives, was quoted in an article in the McAllen Monitor on the MED-ED program, in which 95 high school students from the Rio Grande Valley spent three days at the Health Science Center to learn about health care careers.
The Health Science Center was the subject of an editorial on the need for additional health-care funding from the Texas Legislature.
Dr. Tomy Starck, ophthalmology, performed live LASIK surgery on a patient during the KENS, Channel 5, 10 o'clock news. KENS
interviewed Dr. Charles Bowden, psychiatry, on new treatments for depression and Dr. Steve Brannan, psychiatry, on recent findings that PET scans demonstrate differences in the brains of people with
depres-sion from brains of those who are not depressed. Dr. Hanna Abboud, medicine, was interviewed about research into kidney disease, and Dr. Laura Collins, medicine, discussed the high incidence of heart disease in women.
WOAI-AM, 1200, interviewed Dr. Alexander Shepherd,
pharmacology, on high blood pressure; Dr. Laura Collins on women and heart disease; and Dr. Anatolio Cruz on Tamoxifen.
Health Science Center researchers
pick up pilot project awards
Legislative session shows support
for higher education
By Dr. William H. Cunningham
represent a dramatic milestone in public support
for the state's higher education institutions.
U.
A major item of legislation establishes the Texas Excellence Access and Success Grant Program, a scholarship program funded with $100 million in state appropriations that will benefit college and university students across the state.
New microscope equipment
The Health Science Center affiliated South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS) recently received a new research tool in the form of a confocal laser
scanning microscope.
improves focus on research
Work with youth recognized with awards
The Shattered Dreams Program, a drinking and driving prevention curriculum and campaign designed for high school administrators, received honors from the International Association of Business Communicators of San Antonio during its Bronze Quill awards ceremony May 13. The award was given in recognition of the work done by the South Texas Health Research Center (STHRC) in conjunction with its affiliated South Texas Injury Prevention Center, the Bexar County DWI Task Force and the University Health System for the Shattered Dreams drinking and driving campaign that included the slogan "DEAD: Drinking & Driving Ends All Dreams."
AHA grant applications due
The National American Heart Association (AHA) is soliciting
applications for funding to start Jan. 1, 2000. The deadline for
applications is June 15. In addition to its standard programs--the Scientist Development
Grant, Established Investigator Grant, and the Grant-in-Aid--the AHA is introducing the AHA-Bugher Foundation Awards
for the Investigation of Stroke.
2000 Make it Compute
As the millennium approaches, questions regarding the Year 2000
problem are being asked more frequently. The Health Science Center's
President's Year 2000 Task Force has put together a list of commonly
asked questions and their answers, which will be featured in The News
during the next few months. For more information, visit the task force
Web site.
Web site for new HSC policies online
Health Science Center employees can now keep up to date on recently approved institutional policies and procedures with the help of a new Web site. New additions to the Health Science Center's Handbook of Operating
Procedures can now be found online. The new site also can be accessed through a link on the Health Science Center's administration Web page under the heading, Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness and Planning.
SAAF grant funds HSC research projects
The San Antonio Area Foundation (SAAF) recently granted $332,160 to 13 researchers at the Health Science Center, pushing the amount of grant money the institution has received during the past few years over the $2 million mark.