Teaching the teachers
Local educators learn how to bring aspects of aging to the classroom
Gerontology, the study of advanced age, isn't something most kids like to study. Teachers understandably find it difficult to convince children that the life choices they make today will have a profound effect on their futures.
In an effort to bring gerontology into the classroom, a course was offered June 7-18 by the Health Science Center's Aging Research and Education Center (AREC), outlining strategies, tips and creative ideas to 30 area teachers.
The Stealth Gerontology summer course was designed to help teachers integrate gerontology instruction into their science, reading, social studies and history curriculums. The course is supported by several donors and grant awards, including the National Institutes of Health's Science Partnership Award and a new $73,728 Eisenhower Professional Development Grant.
During the two-week-long course, teachers learned about nutrition and diet, cultural differences pertaining to age, theories of aging, intergenerational friendships, family trees, the brain, Alzheimer's disease, vision and hearing problems, the aging world, diabetes, diversity among the aged, bone development, life expectancy and more. Many activities were designed to be interactive to stimulate the teachers' creative and critical thinking processes.
"This trains them to use materials from our 'Positively Aging' curriculum project," said Linda Struski, project coordinator from the AREC. "During the 10-day course they were briefed on gerontological sciences, gaining hands-on lab experience and testing various teaching methods. Our goal was to provide them with information that will have an impact on their students for linking healthy choices today to healthy older adulthood."
Lucille Mitrani, a teacher at Patton F. Middle School, said the seminar instructors were able to explain complex aging issues in lay terms, which enables teachers to be able to take these points back to the classroom and explain them to students.
Jo Eckerman, a seventh-grade science teacher at Stinson Middle School, said the course bridges the gap that has been formed by the distances many children live from their grandparents. Because children often do not live in the same cities or even the same states as their grandparents a lot of conversation and understanding between the two age groups is lost.
"It is very important for younger people, who are separated from grandparents, to understand what it is like to be older," said Eckerman, who was attending the seminar for the second year in a row. "They have no appreciation for older people as resources for information. This course allows them to begin to understand that choices they make will impact their lives. If my kids learn anything, it is that." Ý
TNT packs an educational punch
Program offers variety of continuing education credits
The Teleconference Network of Texas (TNT) provides an affordable, no-hassle way for health professionals to earn continuing education credits via the telephone lines."It's the most cost-effective means of continuing education," says Dr. Ken Andrews, TNT director. "Literally anyone with a telephone can take advantage of it."
For the past 25 years TNT, a part of the Office of Educational Resources at the Health Science Center, has been offering audio teleconference courses in more than 20 fields, such as respiratory care, hematology, microbiology and social work. Courses are offered once a month and transmitted directly into the participant's workplace, whether it's in Boise or Baton Rouge.
Tuition ranges from $18 per individual for one hour of credit to $90 for a group of five. TNT is a non-profit service, so fees are charged only to cover costs.
Client hospitals and health care centers across the United States numbered well over 1,000 at last count.
"We've seen a major increase in new customers," says Cindy Rodriguez, marketing coordinator. She mails flyers, brochures and course schedules to a database of potential and existing clients. Course descriptions also are listed on the Internet, which is kept up-to-date, says Rodriguez.
Each teleconference lasts about one hour, with a 45-minute presentation by a speaker and a 15-minute question-and-answer session. Written handouts and other course materials are sent to registered participants beforehand to provide a visual reference during the program. At class time, the individual or group simply dials in to the teleconferencing room and listens to the presentation on a speaker phone.
A TNT distance education specialist works with a faculty adviser to plan the courses several months in advance.
"We talk about hot topics and develop ideas," says distance education specialist Kim Carey. The adviser will usually know of an expert who will speak on a certain topic, or will have the contacts to find one, says Carey, who also moderates the teleconferences.
Fifteen minutes before class, Carey calls the speaker, checks the connection and hooks up participants as they call in. That's the point when everyone's hard work comes together, she says. "That's when you can finally take a deep breath."
Newly Granted
The following new and competitive renewal grants and awards were recorded in the Office of Grants Management.Anesthesiology
"Quality & Cost Improvement
Agreement," Dr. Joseph Naples, University Health System, $75,000, 1 year.
Biochemistry
"Chaperonin-Aided Protein Folding of Rhodanese,"
Dr. Paul Horowitz, National Institutes of Health (NIH)/National Institute of General Medical Sciences
(NIGMS), $1,256,571, 4 years.
"Molecular Genetics of Isocitrate Dehydrogenases,
Dr. Lee McAlister-Henn, NIH/NIGMS, $1,024,490, 1 year.
Cardiology
"IPA (Intergovernmental Personnel Act Agreement) for Zhi Chang,"
Dr. Sumanth Prabhu, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, $61,630, 2 years.
Cellular & Structural Biology
"IPA for Annalise Castro,"
Dr. Bandana Chatterjee, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, $15,173, 8 months.
"The T-Cell Response to a Periodontal Pathogen," Dr. Ellen Kraig, NIH/National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), $862,463, 5 years.
Chronic Nursing Care
"Teach Collaboratively Community Health Planning & Develop a Model,"
Dr. Adrianne Linton, University of Utah, $24,883, 1 year.
Clinical Immunology
"Sjögren's Syndrome, Salivary Gland & Apoptosis,"
Dr. Howard Dang, NIH/NIDCR, $675,908, 3 years.
Dental Hygiene
"Creating a Culture of Assessment Through the Dental Hygiene Outcomes Assessment Center,"
Renee Cornett, Texas A&M Research Foundation, $2,809, 1 year.
Endodontics
"Sympathetic Fiber Modulation of Pulpal Neurogenic Inflammation,"
Dr. Kenneth Hargreaves, NIH/NIDCR, $1,207,735, 5 years.
Family Practice
"Graduate Medical EducationUTHSCSA,"
Dr. Barry Weiss, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, $106,789, 1 year.
Medicine
"IPA for Srinivas Mummidi," Dr. Sunil Ahuja,
South Texas Veterans Health Care System, $87,976, 2 years.
"Hematology Professional Services," Dr. David Boldt, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, $2,402, 1 year.
"Southwest Oncology Group Lymphoid Leukemia Biology Program," Dr. David Boldt, Cancer Therapy & Research Foundation (CTRF)/NIH, $123,985, 1 year.
"Graduate Medical Education-Internal Medicine Residency Program," Dr. Robert Clark, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, $274,599, 1 year.
"GSH-Mediated Detoxification of HNE in Mitochondria," Dr. George Henderson, NIH/National Institute on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism (NIAAA), $201,958, 2 years.
"Complementary & Alternative Medicine: Use of Garlic in Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease & Cancer & Use of Silybum Marian in Treatment of Liver Disease & Cirrhosis," Dr. Cynthia Mulrow, Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS)/AHCPR, $185,799, 1 year.
"The Role of Cell Interactions in Development of Osteolytic Bone Lesions in Myeloma," Dr. Babatunde Oyajobi, International Myeloma Foundation, $40,000, 1 year.
"An Open, Non-Comparative Protocol of the Efficacy, Safety & Toleration of Extended Voriconazole Treatment of Invasive Fungal Infections," Dr. Thomas Patterson, Covance/Pfizer, $10,000, until completion.
"General Clinical Research Center," Dr. James Young, NIH/National Center for Research Resources (NIRR), $2,643,271, 1 year.
Microbiology
"The Role of Sigma54 in Vibrio Cholerae Pathogenesis,"
Dr. Karl Klose, NIH/National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases (NIAID), $656,024, 4 years.
Obstetrics and Gynecology
"Graduate Medical Education-OB/GYN Residency Program," Dr. Carl Pauerstein, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, $79,329, 1 year.
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
"Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Services,"
Dr. Stephen Milam, South Texas Veterans Health Care System VA Dental Service, $62,000, 14 months.
Pediatrics
"KSHV Infection in Blood Donors from Texas,"
Dr. Jiang-Shou Gao, NIH/National Heart, Lung & Blood
Institute (NHLBI), $922,068, 3 years.
"Role of TH1 & TH2 Responses in Myasthenia Gravis," Dr. Anthony Infante, NIH/NIAID, $1,450,797, 4 years.
"Graduate Medical Education-Pediatrics Residency Program," Dr. Celia Kaye, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, $143,402, 1 year.
"Pediatric Physicians' Services for the Bexar County Juvenile Detention Centers," Dr. Celia Kaye, University Health System, $84,000, 1 year.
"Gastric Response to Formulas with Differing Buffer Strength," Dr. Deborah Neigut, Mead Johnson Nutritional, $1,100, 4 years.
"Regulation of the Primate Ductus Arteriosus," Dr. Steven Seidner, University of California/NIH, $28,288, 1 year.
Periodontics
"Loading Dental Implants," Dr. David Cochran,
ITI Foundation, $23,000, 1 year.
Pharmacology
"Analytical & Pharmacokinetic Analysis of CPT-11 & SN-38 Total,"
Dr. John Kuhn, MGI Pharma Inc., $11,250, 10 months.
"Cardiovascular Regulation During Aging," Dr. Vijayender Durgam, NIH/National Institute on Aging, $72,435, 1 year.
Physiology
"IPA for Dan Stevens," Dr. John Johnson,
American Sports Medicine, $500, 1 year.
Psychiatry
"Provide Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Services to the Juvenile Probation Unit,"
Dr. Charles Bowden, Bexar County Mental Health/Mental Retardation
(MHMR), $12,750, 3 months.
"Services of Psychiatry Resident," Dr. Charles Bowden, San Antonio Independent School District, $4,842, 1 year.
"A Double-Blind, Randomized, Multicenter, Parallel Group Design Study to Evaluate the Efficacy & Safety of Two Dose Ranges of EMD 128, 130 in Comparison with Placebo & Haloperidol in Treatment of Schizophrenia," Dr. Albana Dassori, PPD Pharmaco, $164,224, 4 years.
"Texas Earns Employment Assistance Through Reciprocity," Dr. Margaret Hoppe, Texas Department of Mental Health/Mental Retardation, $25,511, 2 years.
"Reinforcing Effects of Benzodiazepines in Anxiety," Dr. John Roache, NIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), $977,118, 3 years.
"Olanzopine vs. Risperidone & Placebo in the Treatment of Psychosis & Associated Behavioral Disturbances in Patients with Dementia," Dr. Donald Royall, Eli Lilly, $138,140, 1 year.
Radiology
"The Effects of HMAF on Prostate-Specific Antigen Level
In Vitro," Dr. Barbara Woynarowska,
MGI Pharma Inc., $12,600, 1 year.
Research Imaging Center
"Neuroimaging & Electrophysiology of the Cerebellum,"
Dr. Peter Fox, California Institute of Technology, $75,250, 7 months.
"Investigating the Neural Bases of Chronic Stuttering," Dr. Peter Fox, University of California at Santa Barbara, $131,645, 1 year.
Student Services
"Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program,"
Beverly Boggs, Department of Education, $34,364, 1 year.
Surgery
In Vivo Modulation of Progression in Colon Cancer,"
Dr. Michael Brattain, Case Western Reserve University, $100,319, 11 months.
"TGF-B Receptor Alterations & Pancreatic Cancer," Dr. James Freeman, NIH/National Cancer Institute (NCI), $542,572, 3 years.
Jackson named as 1999
distinguished alumnus
in nursing
Her father's sudden death at age 57 drew Brenda Jackson to the study of heart disease.
"I was an undergraduate student at Virginia Commonwealth University when my father died," says Jackson. "Educating nursing students and the public about the prevention and treatment of heart disease became my professional mission."
Jackson is the winner of the 1999 School of Nursing Distinguished Alumnus Award, which was presented at the School of Nursing graduation ceremony May 22.
Jackson's almost 30-year nursing career includes teaching and administrative positions both at the Health Science Center and the University of the Incarnate Word.
While at Incarnate Word she held the Brigadier General Lillian Dunlap Professorial Chair in Nursing from 1987 to 1996 and chaired the Department of Nursing from 1996 to 1998.
Currently, she is an associate professor in the Department of Acute Care Nursing at the Health Science Center, where she earned her Master of Nursing degree in 1976. The University of Texas at Austin awarded her doctorate in 1984.
"Cancer gets a lot more press," says Jackson. "But vascular and cardiac diseases are the nation's number one killer."
Jackson is particularly concerned that the risk profile for heart disease in women is not well understood.
"More than 50 percent of women will die of heart disease," she says. "Compare that to a one in nine lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. And yet we do not fully understand what predisposes a woman to heart disease."
Jackson is immediate past-president of the Texas affiliate of the American Heart Association (AHA) and served as president of the San Antonio division in 1991-1992.
James B. Reed, former executive director of the AHA South Texas District, worked closely with Jackson in the early 1990s.
"Brenda was the first nurse to serve as president of the South Texas District and the first to serve as president of the Texas affiliate," says Reed. "She made my job as executive director easy because she was so thorough and knowledgeable--and such a consensus builder."
Jackson has received a number of awards from the AHA, including the Mildred MacIntyre Outstanding Service Award and the Paul Apgar Award for Excellence.
Jackson also is active in the Texas Coalition for Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke, a group of health agencies advocating for improved health care, and serves as chair of its primary prevention subcommittee. She is a long-term member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses.
Currently, Jackson is part of a Health Science Center interdisciplinary research group studying cognitive deficits following cardiac surgery. The group's research is built on work done by Dr. Charles Hantler, professor of anesthesiology.
"Common problems that occur following cardiac surgery include delirium and short-term memory loss," says Jackson. "Unfortunately, because of the stigma attached to mental problems, patients and family often do not report them."
"We are trying to determine what causes these cognitive problems. It may be a physiological response to anesthesia, but we just don't know. From a nursing perspective, we want to better assist patients post-operatively with rehabilitation and coping strategies."
The Distinguished Alumnus Award was presented to Jackson by 1998-1999 Alumni Association President Michelle Denyer and School of Nursing Dean Dr. Janet Allan.
Grossman, Rodriguez granted
highest honor in field of nursing
Drs. Divina Grossman and Rachel Rodriguez, chronic nursing care, have been appointed to the American Academy of Nursing, the highest honor granted in the field
of nursing. They will be inducted in November.
Dr. Grossman, who was appointed chair of the department earlier this year, received her Ph.D. in nursing from the University of Pennsylvania. Before joining the Health Science Center, she chaired both the Adult Health Department and Psychiatric Mental Health Department at Florida International University's School of Nursing. She is currently writing a Primer of Nursing Research, to be published by Addison-Wesley.
A graduate of the Health Science Center School of Nursing and an associate professor in the Department of Chronic Nursing Care, Dr. Rodriguez earned her Ph.D. in nursing from Texas Woman's University. Her most recent project was a study of domestic violence among migrant farm workers, funded by the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Organizational changes to be made
in Information Management Services
Audiovisual Services (AV Services), a division of the Office of Educational Resources, has
been subdivided and supervision of its two units has been reassigned. The
operations portion of AV Services has been reassigned to Steele Camp, in addition to his
previous responsibility of directing the multidiscipline laboratories (MD Labs). This
group will be renamed Teaching Facilities Support Services (TFSS) and will provide audio and
video communication systems, including audiovisual equipment delivery and
operation support. TFSS will continue to provide service and facilities in support of
laboratory-based instruction, research and small group conference teaching, and clinical
problem solving. The new room number for the operations unit will be 1.354T, adjacent to the
first-floor bookstore. The phone number will remain ext. 2210.
The Center for Distance Learning and Telehealth (CDLTH) has assumed the responsibilities of the maintenance division of AV Services. This unit has been renamed Audio Video Maintenance under the supervision of Tom Baggs. This division will be responsible for the maintenance of audiovisual equipment, videoconferencing, and Web and related distance learning and telehealth equipment. The CDLTH will continue to offer free consultation on room design for electronic and distance learning instruction.
To report or order electronic classroom repairs and installations, contact Bobby Roberts at ext. 2218, room 2.425T. Video Teleconferencing Requests should continue to be submitted to Stacy Dill at ext. 4404. Classroom design consultations and new teleconferencing site planning should continue to be requested through Baggs at ext. 6982.
The reorganization is intended to minimize overhead and take advantage of cross-training opportunities in both areas. For more information or questions regarding these changes, please contact Steele Camp at ext. 2305 or Baggs at ext. 6982.
Of Note
Requisitions deadline set for June 30
The Health Science Center Office of Purchasing has set a deadline of 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 30, for departmental requisitions totaling $5,000 or more. Requisitions totaling less than $5,000 must be received in the purchasing office by close of business on August 20. For more information, contact the purchasing office at ext. 6030.
The Employee Excellence in Service Award is presented annually to professional, administrative and classified employees who have improved service and saved time
and money in their departments. Five employees will be honored with the award and a $1,000 stipend at a ceremony this fall.
Nomination packages for the 1999 award are available in the Office of Human Resources. Questions may be directed to the Office of Employee Development and
Training, ext. 2323.
The Welch Foundation currently provides nine grants to faculty investigators conducting research
projects in biochemistry and molecular biophysics. One emphasis of this support is the analysis of the three-dimensional structures of important molecules, using x-ray crystallographic and high-field nuclear magnetic
resonance technologies.
The Health Science Center recently established the Center for Biomolecular Structure Analysis to accommodate this type of research.
Dr. Bettie Sue Masters, holder of the Robert A. Welch Chair in Chemistry in the Health Science Center's Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, is one of the nine
faculty members supported by Welch funding.
Other faculty members receiving grants from the Welch Foundation are Martin Adamo, John Hart, Andrew Hinck, Paul Horowitz, John Lee, Richard Ludueña, Barry
Nall and Philip Serwer. All are Ph.D. scientists in the Health Science Center's Department of Biochemistry.
"Mr. Robert Alonzo Welch stated in his will, which established his foundation, that he 'had long been impressed with the great possibilities for the betterment of
mankind that lay in the field of research in the domain of chemistry,'" said Dr. Merle Olson, chairman of the Department of Biochemistry. "Providing these research grants to the
faculty of the Department of Biochemistry is highly consistent with Mr. Welch's conviction and is most appreciated by the recipients of these awards."
The Health Science Center has received $8,517,931 from the Welch Foundation since the university
opened in 1968.
The department will begin reconfiguring the single data network into several smaller networks. Implementing this new configuration will require telecommunications
and networking staff to work on each department's desktop PCs to make changes to network settings. In some cases there could be a disruption in printing or file sharing while
a department is being reconfigured to be part of a smaller network.
The department asks for cooperation and patience during the next three months while the reconfiguration is taking place. For more information, call the
department's customer service line at ext. 2061.
The "You Make a Difference" picnic will feature special tributes to employees who volunteer their time in the community, including a display of photos of
employees performing volunteer services.
Joe Ocampo, instrumentation services, is one of the picnic organizers and is looking for the names of employees who volunteer and photos of the activities and people
they serve. To provide information, contact Ocampo by e-mail at
<Ocampo@uthscsa.edu> or call ext. 2980.
Picnic organizers also are looking for people to help with the event in various capacities. For information, contact Mary Yanes at ext. 2205 or send e-mail
to <Yanes@uthscsa.edu>.
TUESDAY, JUNE 29
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30
THURSDAY, JULY 1
FRIDAY, JULY 2
SATURDAY, JULY 3
Deadline approaches for Employee Excellence Award nominations
The nomination period for the 1999 Employee Excellence in Service Award is nearing conclusion. Health Science Center employees who wish to nominate fellow
staff members for the award must do so by the June 30 deadline.
Evidence of Insurability deadline extended to July 30
Employees have until Friday, July 30, to fill out Evidence of Insurability forms prior to the annual Open Enrollment period July 1-31. Employees may choose to
make changes in their health, dental and other benefit coverages during July, and for some changes, such as adding a dependent, they will need to submit Evidence of
Insurability. The Office of Human Resources, located in the Administration Building, has the forms.
Web-based instruction models sought
The Division of Educational Research and Development is seeking examples of Web-based instruction
developed by Health Science Center faculty. They will be used
as models during a July conference. Instruction models are needed from biomedical sciences, dentistry, medicine and allied health sciences. Resources submitted will be
used during WBI Showcase, an all-day Web-based instruction conference on campus July 22. The purpose of the WBI Showcase is to provide a forum to discuss issues related
to Web-based instruction resources, cost, student response and education purpose.Faculty interested
in participating may call Elaine Demps at ext. 2814 or e-mail her
at <Demps@uthscsa.edu>.
Welch Foundation grants funding
The Robert A. Welch Foundation of Houston has
approved additional funding of $915,000 in support
of several research programs at the Health Science Center.
for biochemistry, biophysics researchNetworking to change system
During the next few months the Health Science Center's Telecommunications and Networking Department will be changing the computer network in an effort to relieve
the traffic burden on the system.
Applause
HSC picnic July 8
The Health Science Center picnic will be held July 8 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the courtyard between the Medical School and the auditorium.
Calendar for June 28 - July 4
MONDAY, JUNE 28
6:30 a.m.
Dept. of Anesthesiology Case Conf. "Pain" (UH: 212)
7:00 a.m.
Urology Lecture "Intravesical Therapy," Dr. David Shepherd (MED: 409L)
9:00 a.m.
Training Office "Grand Rounds Workshop" (call ext. 2320 for information or to register)
7:00 a.m.
Dept. of Surgery Lecture "Interstitial Cystitis," Dr. Lowell Parsons (MED: 444B)
7:00 a.m.
Vascular Surgery Grand Rounds, Dr. Mellick Sykes (LEC: 2.042)
8:30 a.m.
Training Office "Introduction to PowerPoint," (call ext. 2320 for information)
9:00 a.m.
Surgery Trauma M&M Conf., Dr. Ronald Stewart (MED: 309L)
Noon
Family Practice Grand Rounds Conf. Series "Geriatrics: Bedside Cardiac Exam," Dr. Malcolm Lancaster (Morningside Manor, 602 Babcock Rd.)
7:30 a.m.
Thoracic Surgery Resident Teaching Conf. (UH: 5th-floor neonatal ICU classroom)
Noon
TNT "Primary Care Forum: Exercise Prescription for Children & Teenagers," Dr. Jorge Gomez (call ext. 2700 for more information)
Noon
Pulmonary, Thoracic & Oncology Conf. (MED: 209L)
4:00 p.m.
Surgery Tumor Conference, Dr. Anatolio Cruz (MED: 209L)
No events scheduled
9:00 a.m.
General Surgery Grand Rounds, Dr. Wayne Schwesinger (MED: 409L)
THE NEWS is published Fridays by the Office of Public Affairs for faculty and staff of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
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