Long Island physician-scholar selected
as dean of Medical School

"After an extensive nationwide search, we have found the right person to lead our Medical School into the new century," Dr. Howe said. "Dr. Wartman is an outstanding medical academician and scholar with a thorough understanding of graduate medical education. The Medical School's first 30 years have been remarkable years of progress. Now, under Dr. Wartman's leadership, that progress will reach an unprecedented level of excellence for our community and country."

Dr. Wartman currently occupies the Edward Meilman Distinguished Chair of Medicine and is physician-in-chief at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center. He is also director of the Center for Quality Research of the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System and professor of medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

The Health Science Center's Medical School has an annual budget in excess of $250 million and employs 586 full- and part-time faculty. "As its dean, Dr. Wartman will play an important role in San Antonio's leading industry, the biosciences," Dr. Howe said.

The Medical School is affiliated with 1,500 clinical faculty and dozens of institutions in South Texas. Medical School faculty provided $94.4 million in charity care to the medically indigent during the 1998-99 fiscal year.

Dr. Young, a distinguished U.S. Army general, directed exponential growth of the Medical School over the last decade, including development and implementation of expanded health professions initiatives throughout the South Texas/Border Region.

A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Cornell University in 1966, Dr. Wartman received his medical degree in 1970 from Johns Hopkins University and his Ph.D. in sociology from Johns Hopkins in 1979. He is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. He completed an internship at Stanford University Medical Center and residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital, both in internal medicine, and was a Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholar at Johns Hopkins from 1976 to 1978 while doing a senior residency in internal medicine at Baltimore City Hospital.

At Johns Hopkins, Dr. Wartman was an International Fellow in Health Care in Yugoslavia (1969). Subsequently, he was a Henry Luce Scholar in Indonesia (1975-76). In 1991 the U.S. Public Health Service selected him, as the nominee of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), for its Primary Care Policy Fellowship. His other honors include a Leadership and Achievement Award in 1997 from the Society of General Internal Medicine, of which he is also a past president, and the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration's 1999 Award for Excellence for Outstanding Leadership and Interdisciplinary Collaboration for his role as co-director of the Interdisciplinary Generalist Curriculum Project.

Dr. Wartman is a Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine and a Fellow of the American College of Physicians. Before joining the Long Island Jewish Medical Center in 1995, he was professor of medicine at the University of Miami and director of medical services and chairman of medicine at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach. Prior to that he spent 13 years on the faculty at Brown University, where he founded the Division of General Internal Medicine and served as residency program director.

Dr. Wartman has authored or contributed to more than 120 peer-reviewed journal articles, abstracts, book chapters, letters and other publications. His long-standing professional interests include health care delivery, health policy, medical ethics and medical education.

A native of Philadelphia, Dr. Wartman, 55, is married to Gina Caliri. He has two grown sons. His hobbies and interests include music, literature, tennis and fitness.

HSC to receive $1.6 million
from Howard Hughes Medical Institute

The Hughes award, the second for the Health Science Center in four years, is especially significant because it boosts the San Antonio center's ability to recruit top-flight young researchers.

"Good young people are coming out of the best training programs and are recruited by many programs including ours," said Dr. Robert A. Clark, principal investigator for the HHMI grant, professor of medicine and the Dan F. Parman Chair in the Health Science Center's Department of Medicine. "This helps us offer more funding to start their laboratories, to acquire equipment and to hire personnel. The Howard Hughes Research Resources Program has been a major boost for us."

In 1995, the HHMI granted $80 million to 30 medical schools including the Health Science Center. The first HHMI grant allocated $1.6 million to faculty start-up research and enrichment at the Health Science Center. Faculty supported in this way subsequently received external grants valued at $13.7 million--more than an eightfold return on investment.

"We have been impressed with the U. T. Health Science Center at San Antonio's achievement," said Dr. Joseph G. Perpich, HHMI vice president for grants and special programs. "The Health Science Center has done an excellent job of recruiting outstanding junior faculty who have gone on to win outside research funding, continuing the work that HHMI support helped to start. The university also has done a fine job of recruiting underrepresented minorities to the faculty. The review panel considers your institution as having an upward trajectory, and we anticipate that this grant will help the Health Science Center keep that momentum going."

Of the 43 awards made to Health Science Center investigators during the first HHMI grant period, 12 went to women and nine to minority scientists. The grants aided researchers such as Dr. Sunil Ahuja, Department of Medicine, who received start-up funding for studies on the role of chemokine receptors in HIV cell entry. In 1998, Dr. Ahuja's groundbreaking work was mentioned on the front page of the New York Times.

HHMI funds also supported innovative pilot research--new research projects that needed preliminary data before the scientists could compete for outside funding. These included a novel study by Dr. Pudur Jagadeeswaren, Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, to identify genes involved in blood coagulation.

The Health Science Center is one of four medical schools in Texas and 41 nationwide to be selected for HHMI grants totaling $92 million this year. Proposals from more than 100 medical schools were considered.

Conferring colleagues

MEDIA REPORT

Cholesterol drugs, RAHC
among items making headlines

Dr. Greg Mundy, medicine, and his findings about cholesterol-lowering "statin" drugs and their possible use in treating osteoporosis were featured on the National Public Radio program "All Things Considered." An Associated Press article on the same topic was carried in newspapers nationwide, including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times. Discover magazine quoted Dr. Robert G. Brzyski, obstetrics and gynecology, for a piece on what determines a baby's sex.

The New York Times interviewed Dr. Julio Palmaz, radiology, on the stent he invented. Hispanic Outlook magazine included the Health Science Center in its annual listing of the best schools for Hispanics.

The Dallas Morning News listed the Health Science Center as one of the medical schools in the state in which women make up more than half the first-year medical school class. The paper also mentioned the Health Science Center in a story on construction funds recently approved by the Board of Regents.

The Health Science Center's portion of the tobacco settlement was mentioned in a Houston Chronicle piece on the slump in tobacco sales.

A letter to the editor by Dr. John P. Howe, III, president, appeared in the Valley Morning Star (Harlingen). The letter concerned the Regional Academic Health Center (RAHC).The Star also mentioned Dr. Leonel Vela, regional dean, and Dr. James Young, Medical School dean, in a separate article on RAHC progress.

The RAHC also was the subject of articles in The Monitor (McAllen), the Brownsville Herald, the Edinburg Daily Review, the Galveston Daily News, the Alice Echo-News, the Weatherford Democrat, the Abilene Reporter-News, the Clute Facts and the Lufkin Daily News.

The Health Science Center's Pain Management Center and its director, Dr. Somayaji Ramamurthy, anesthes-iology, were featured in an article on managing chronic pain. James Griffin, anesthesiology, was pictured treating a patient.

Dr. Craig Witz, obstetrics and gynecology, was interviewed for an article on discussing menstruation with one's children. Dr. Daniel Hale, pediatrics, was quoted in a front-page story on discolored necks in children as early markers of diabetes.

The daily interviewed Dr. Jean Smith, medicine, regarding shingles testing being conducted in San Antonio. Dr. Gustavo Román, medicine, and Dr. Donald Royall, psychiatry, were featured in a story on the Health Science Center's new Memory Disorders Clinic. Dr. Brian Herman, cellular and structural biology, associate director Dr. Vickie Frohlich and the Optical Imaging Center were the subject of an article on new imaging technology to view human cells.

Medical School Dean Dr. James Young was quoted in an article on the RAHC.

La Prensa wrote about the Health Science Center's A Su Salud program in an article about preventing fires. The San Antonio Business Journal listed Drs. Greg Mundy, Bettie Sue Siler Masters and Ross Lawler in its "Awards & Achievements" section.

KSAT-TV, Channel 13, spoke with Dr. Angela Thyer, obstetrics and gyne-cology, about a new study conducted for women who are not ovulating.

KENS, Channel 5, interviewed Dr. Joel Baseman, microbiology, about a new sexually transmitted disease clinic; Dr. Stan Nelson, restorative dentistry, about occlusion; and Dr. Robert Schenck, orthopaedics, on heel pain.

Also appearing on KENS were Dr. Glenn Gross, medicine, who discussed gallstones; Dr. Ron Grimwood, medicine, on new treatments for spider veins; and Dr. Connie Mobley, community dentistry, on the benefits of Vitamin E.

Dr. Huw Thomas, pediatric dentistry, discussed cavities in children on KENS; Dr. Janet Williams, pediatrics, was interviewed about headaches in children; and Maria Montez, medicine, spoke about diabetes symptoms.

KENS also interviewed Dr. Greg Mundy about his study on statins and Dr. Laura Collins, medicine, about heart attacks during the holidays.

Dr. Stephen Brannan, psychiatry, discussed his study on antidepressants, and Dr. Sandra Fox, ophthalmology, spoke about the low vision eye clinic. Dr. Terry LeGrand, respiratory care, appeared on KENS to discuss the possible effects of the recent hydrochloric acid spill in San Antonio.

KVDA-TV, Channel 31, interviewed Dr. Gustavo Román about the new memory disorders clinic at Villa Serena.

WOAI-AM, 1200, interviewed Dr. Jan Bruder, medicine, on osteoporosis and Dr. Huw Thomas on cavities in children. Dr. Stephen Brannan discussed his antidepressant study, and Dr. David Shelledy, respiratory care, was interviewed about San Antonio's recent acid spill. Dr. Laura Collins was also interviewed about heart attacks during the holidays.

San Antonio Cancer Institute
research funding deadline is Jan. 7

The SACI, a partnership between the Health Science Center and the Cancer Therapy and Research Center (CTRC), is accepting applications for pilot project funds for several initiatives targeting cancer prevention research, cancer control and childhood cancer.

The Fourth Annual Barbara H. Bowman, Ph.D., Award in Cancer Prevention Research will provide up to $25,000 to the highest ranked cancer prevention-related project submitted. Grant money also is available through the Mentored Junior Faculty Award, with up to $20,000 being awarded per project to applicants with a named senior faculty SACI investigator to serve as a mentor. Applicants for these grants must be current SACI research members or eligible candidates.

The SACI has a new supplemental grant initiative designed to fund proposals for cancer control research projects. Approximately $97,000 is available for projects, with a maximum of $20,000 awarded for one-year projects and up to $40,000 for two-year endeavors. Eligible applications will include one- or two-year cancer control-related, cross-disciplinary studies in areas of population-based cancer genetics, molecular epidemiology, cancer survivorship, behavioral research and cancer surveillance research.

A third initiative will fund pilot projects in childhood cancer through the Health Science Center's Children's Cancer Research Center (CCRC). Applications directly relevant to childhood cancer are being solicited from Health Science Center faculty members, SACI members and the Cancer Therapy and Research Center. Approximately $750,000 is available for these projects with up to $75,000 per project.

Service with a smile

Holiday hours set at Briscoe Library

Applause

• Dr. Sandra Schneider, radiological sciences, was named president-elect of the Society for In Vitro Biology, a national scientific association for in vitro biotechnology and tissue engineering. Dr. Schneider is the program chair for the 2000 World Congress of In Vitro Biology, which will be held in June in San Diego.

• Dr. Arlan Richardson, Aging Research and Education Center (AREC), presided over the 52nd annual meeting of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) in San Francisco Nov. 19-23. Dr. Richardson was president of the GSA this year and was responsible for organizing the event, which was attended by more than 3,000 of the nation's top gerontologists and geriatricians.

• Dr. Virginia Bowden, Briscoe Library director, is the author of an article in the October 1999 issue of the Bulletin of the Medical Library Association. Dr. Bowden, who serves as the Bulletin's editor for building projects, wrote "Health Sciences Library Building Projects, 1998 Survey."

• Jim Griffin, physical therapist in the Anesthesiology Pain Management Center, was appointed to head physical therapy and athletic training services for the San Antonio Sports Foundation, in conjunction with Palo Alto College and USA Swimming.

Milam is chair of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Dr. Milam also will focus on devel-oping a link between clinicians and researchers in the department. He said he would like to see a unified team whose work will lead to solutions to clinical problems.

"Scientists and clinicians speak different languages," he said. "Coupling the clinician with the basic researcher would lead to greater communication and would enhance both areas of endeavor."

The Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery has established a national and international reputation. A large percentage of the patients Dr. Milam and his colleagues treat are referred from other states and countries. "We have an outstanding program here. Our undergraduates have scored extremely well on their board exams. Likewise, graduates of our residency program over the past decade have successfully completed their specialty board exams with a 100 percent pass rate, " Dr. Milam said.

Dr. Milam joined the Health Science Center in 1993 as an associate professor. In 1998 he was named acting chairman of the department. He received a B.A. from Baylor University, followed by an M.A. in psychology.

He was drawn to dentistry as a career because it combines science and art, two subjects he has always liked. "It's a very technique-oriented profession. You've got to have good hand skills and an eye for aesthetics," he said.

Dr. Milam earned his D.D.S. degree at Baylor College of Dentistry, followed by a certificate in anesthesiology from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine and subsequent teaching positions in pharmacology and anesthesiology at Baylor and U. T. Southwestern's Medical School.

In 1986 he had the option of earning a Ph.D. in pharmacology, but says he decided to go into an area he knew the least about, cellular biology. He received his Ph.D. from the Health Science Center while completing his residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery. He spent two more years on the faculty at Baylor, then returned to the Health Science Center to establish the research division in his current department. Dr. Milam's research interests include chronic pain and degenerative diseases of the temporomandibular joint.

Barker retires from Health Science Center
after 32 years of service

Originally hired as the director of accounting for the South Texas Medical School, he was housed with other administrative staff members in the engineering building at Trinity University while construction was under way in the Medical Center.

During his tenure Barker has watched from a variety of vantage points as the institution has blossomed and grown into the Health Science Center of today. Barker has served as the budget officer, the executive director of financial services and the executive assistant to the executive vice president.

Last year he became executive assistant to the vice president for administration and business affairs.

"Ever since my arrival at the newly created Health Science Center in the fall of 1972, Bill has been one of the most important people in the organization," said Robert Price, executive vice president, who worked with Barker for more than 12 years. "His role in the development of the Health Science Center cannot be overstated and his institutional memory can never be duplicated."

Barker said he has enjoyed his time at the Health Science Center.

"I have enjoyed watching the place grow," said Barker. "It has been nice to see all of the accomplishments that have been made."

On Dec. 31 Barker will officially retire from the Health Science Center after 32 years of service. A retirement party is scheduled from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21, in the auditorium foyer.

"After you have put this much time into a place, it is with mixed emotions that you leave. You always have reservations," said Barker. "The biggest thing I will miss is the people. I have had a lot of opportunities to meet great people here and learn a lot of different things."

Over the course of three decades, Barker has worked in an area responsible for the Department of Accounting, Budget and Payroll Services, Purchasing, the Department of Human Resources, the Bookstore, Mail Services and the Office of International Affairs.

"I would like to thank Bill for staying around a little longer to assist me in my first year at the Health Science Center," said Anthony Ferrara, vice president for administration and business affairs.

"His knowledge and expertise have been invaluable in my getting acquainted with our faculty and staff and in the business operations at the Health Science Center. We will miss him in our office not only because of his knowledge, but most importantly, because of his never-ending smile and his friendship."

With retirement approaching, Barker has no plans to slow down. He intends to travel with his wife, do volunteer work with several local organizations, devote more time to his woodworking hobby and help out at his son's business.

Barker came to the Health Science Center from Pan American University in Edinburg, where he served as chief of accounting for three years. Before that, he was employed by Texas A&M University for eight years.

Collaboration yields literary rewards
for School of Nursing faculty members

Dr. Matteson, the Thelma and Joe Crow Endowed Professor and Chair of the Department of Family Nursing Care, considers writing her favorite pastime. She started writing the first edition of Gerontological Nursing while a clinical nurse specialist in gerontology at Duke University. She recalls asking a sales representative for publisher W. B. Saunders for a textbook on the subject and being told, "Why don't you write one?" She did, in collaboration with a colleague, and six years later it was published.

After Dr. Matteson joined the Health Science Center in 1988, she and Dr. Linton, associate professor in the Department of Chronic Nursing Care, co-authored the introductory text for LVNs and the Gerontological Nursing text at Saunders' request. "The hardest part of writing is getting started," Dr. Linton said. "But once you get done with Chapter One, you get on a roll."

"It's good to work as a team," she added. "We could never have done this alone."

The gerontology book is sold all over the world and has been translated into Japanese and Chinese. "These countries need something like that because care of elders in Asian societies is beginning to follow the American model, rather than traditional home care."

The authors agree that the LVN text was easier to write because it had a more conversational style than the intensively researched gerontology book. But both were surprised by how much work was involved in writing a second edition. "We were surprised it was just as hard," said Dr. Matteson. "You have to review everything, update, rewrite and reorganize to keep up with changes in the field."

Nonetheless, they both said, the benefits far outweigh the "agony you go through," as Dr. Linton put it. "It's so rewarding to complete the book. It gives you a sense of accomplishment to influence something you care about," she said.

Dr. Mary Ann Matteson, chair of the Department of Family Nursing Care, left, and Dr. Adrianne Linton, associate professor in the Department of Chronic Nursing Care, display their efforts. Drs. Matteson and Linton worked on Gerontological Nursing: Concepts and Practice, 2nd Edition, and Introductory Nursing Care of Adults.

Technology training initiative
provides streamlined registration

The "no cost" technology training initiative for employees is eight weeks old. The integration of existing technology courses, offered by the Briscoe Library, Employee Development and Training Office, Office of Educational Resources and other departments, with new desktop application courses will continue into next year.

Recognizing employee excellence in service

Ralph Kaster, left, accounting group supervisor in the Office of Accounting, receives his Employee Excellence in Service Award from Dr. John P. Howe, III, president, at the Nov. 23 awards ceremony. Health Science Center employees also received recognition for the number of years of service provided to the institution.

Of Note

Prevent and avoid road rage
during the holiday season

To avoid getting into a confrontation with other drivers, the University Police Department urges holiday motorists to remember a few simple rules of the road.

• Drivers should not block the passing lanes. Motorists should move out of the passing lane even if the driver trying to pass is speeding.

• If the horn must be used, it should be used sparingly.

• Motorists should not "tailgate."

• Drivers should use signals when changing lanes.

• There should be enough space between cars when attempting to change lanes. Drivers should not cut off someone else.

• Drivers should not use obscene gestures and should avoid eye contact with confrontational motorists.

• When parking the car, drivers should use only one parking space, should avoid striking the adjacent vehicle with their car door and should look before backing out of a spot.

• Motorists should dim their headlights for oncoming traffic and should not approach a vehicle from behind with the high beams on.

• A car phone should not be a distraction. Drivers should keep their eyes and attention on the road.

• If a motorist is involved in a confrontation on the road and is being followed, he or she should drive to a well-lit public place or to the nearest police station.

• Motorists should report aggressive driving incidents to the police department immediately and should report the license plate number of the car involved.

Calendar for Dec. 20 - 26