A. Advise and Consent to Dr. Jim Scott as Secretary of the Senate for 2005-06: A motion was made, seconded, and passed, to advise and consent to Dr. Scott as Secretary for 2005-06.

B. Advise and Consent to Dr. John Lossing, Certified Parliamentarian, as Parliamentarian for 2005-06: A motion was made, seconded, and passed, to advise and consent to Dr. Lossing as Parliamentarian for 2005-06.

C. Advise and Consent to the Appointment of Dr. Linda Werling as Associate Dean for Graduate Studies: Dr. Scott explained that in light of the growth of IBS [Institution of Biomedical Sciences], and of Masters’ Programs in the SMHS, the SPHHS, and the Health Sciences, it was considered appropriate to have a dean to represent graduate students at both the Ph.D. and Master’s levels. A motion was made, seconded, and passed, to advise and consent to the appointment of Dr. Werling as Associate Dean for Graduate Studies. The assembled responded with applause.

D. Elect Standing Committees and Chairs for 2005-06: A list of nominees by the Executive Committee for standing committees for the coming year was provided. A motion was made, seconded, and passed, to approve the nominees as proposed.

E. Approval of Granting of Degrees: Lists of candidates for degrees in the SPHHS and in Health Sciences Programs for the Summer 2005 graduation were provided at the start of the meeting. Dean Katz explained that all students have met the requirements for graduation, and asked the Senate’s approval for candidates for the degrees of Doctor of Public Health, Master of Health Services Administration, Master of Public Health, Master of Science in Exercise Science, and Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. A motion to approve was made, seconded, and passed. Dean Johnson asked the Senate’s approval for candidates for the degrees of Associate of Science, Bachelor of Science in Health Science, and Master of Science in Health Science, adding that all students have met the requirements for graduation. A motion to approve was made, seconded, and passed.

V. Information Items

A. Update on Departmental Reviews: Dr. Scott reported that an internal review of Anatomy is under way with a committee under Kurt Johnson as chair, and an external reviewer is being identified. Dr Peusner asked whether the external review committee did not consist of more than one person. Dr. Scott replied that it would but the membership has not been identified yet.

B. Creation of a Hospitalist Division Within the Department of Medicine: Reporting for Dr. Wasserman, Dr. Simon explained that within the Division of Internal Medicine are five hospitalists who function independently at the hospital, with different agendas and different activities; the department has therefore decided to separate this component into a separate division.

C. Medical Student Evaluation Committee Annual Report: Dr. Akman reported that the Medical Student Evaluation Committee met five times during 2004-05 and reviewed 24 students, of whom 8 were recommended for dismissal, 7 in the first year and 1 in the second year. He added that no professional comportment cases were reviewed. The complete report is included as an attachment to the minutes.

A. Exercise Science: For Dr. Battle, Dr. Lear reported that five candidates (2 in-house) were selected from 15 CV’s; one declined due to family concerns, and the four others were interviewed. She stated that based on the criteria and the evaluations of the interviews, two candidates were selected for second-round interviews. She expressed the hope of a final decision by early fall.

B. Dermatology: For Dr. El-Bayoumi, Dr. Scott reported that the committee is holding discussions with a promising candidate.

C. Urology: For Dr. Zeman, Dr. Scott reported that three strong candidates were interviewed in the spring; one ultimately withdrew, and negotiations are proceeding with the next two candidates.

D. Health Services Management and Leadership: Dean Katz announced the appointment of Dr. Robert Burke, formerly Interim Chair, as Chair on July 1.

E. Global Health: For Dr. Miller, Dean Katz reported that the search committee recommended three candidates for second-round visits, of whom one withdrew, and is also identifying other candidates for first-round visits.

F. Prevention and Community Health: Dr. Cleary reported that the committee met in July to be charged, and will hold its second meeting in the next two weeks.

A. Provost and Vice President’s Report

Hurricane Katrina: Dr. Williams reported much activity at the Medical Center in response to Hurricane Katrina. He announced that President Trachtenberg has designated the Medical Center as the Red Cross donation center for the University, with donations being received by Ms. Haydn in his office. He further reported that students from both schools will conduct a blood drive on September 12; lay counselor training will take place September 10; and Dr. L. Alexander is conducting a clothing and toys drive. Dr. Scott reported on the AAMC/NIH Initiative, in which all deans are asked to provide their institutions’ support, and he reviewed extensive measures under way on behalf of patients, students (12 Tulane students accepted at the SMHS to date), and providing lab space. He added that the ACGME has not yet made a final decision on residents. He noted a plan to set up a 10,000 bed frame at 40 medical shelters in New Orleans, with schools sending teams on a rotating basis; a team from GW is currently being set up.

Citing the tremendous psychological and mental health consequences of this disaster, Dr. Akman noted extensive activity by Psychiatry on behalf of refugees. Dr. Scott also noted the needs of 400 nursing home V.A. patients being transferred here from New Orleans.

Dean Katz highlighted involvement by the SPHHS, especially with public health students from the area: the School has received 51 inquiries and accepted 12, of which 10 are coming; and the School is working to provide counseling and housing for these students.

Dr. Williams asked that any faculty with insights or ideas to contact him, Dr. Scott, or Dean Katz., stressing the great need for medical personnel at all levels.

DC General Site: Dr. Williams reported that renewed discussion is taking place at the City Council over the proposal to build a new hospital on the old DC General site.

Old Hospital Site: Dr. Williams reported that the EE & K architecture firm, after reviewing the campus plan, favors commercial and residential development on the site, from which a good portion of the income would come to the Medical Center for development of a new SPHHS.

Strategic Planning Process: Dr. Williams reported that the process is going well; design teams are set up; and a preliminary report to the Board of Trustees is anticipated for October.

B. SPHHS: Dean Katz reported that Dr. Greenberg assumed the Chair of Epidemiology and Biostatistics on August 1, and that Dr. Ed Maybach was hired as a professor in Public Health Communications. In other areas, she reported that implementation of the new core curriculum began this year; 280 new students have arrived; a successful and well-attended Orientation took place; and preparations have begun for next year’s re-accreditation process. Lastly, she announced Convocation September 15 with Welling Professor Dr. David Haymann of WHO speaking on infectious diseases, at the Media building; all are welcome.

C. SMHS: Noting that all new classes have arrived, Dr. Scott reported that the first-year class has an unusually high enrollment, 177 as opposed to 165, due to more students having chosen GW than usual. He reported that two University-endowed Welling Professors will speak at the School: Dr. Stanley Reiser, Griff T. Ross professor of Humanities and Technology in Health Care, University of Texas-Houston Science Center, and Dr. Steven Schroeder, Professor of Medicine, University of California-San Francisco. In GME, he reported that Neurosurgery was accredited this summer.

D. Health Sciences: Dr. Johnson reported that 560 students are enrolled; over 1300 applications were received, of which 46% were accepted, and of these 46%, 85% matriculated. She noted implementation over the summer of the new three-departmental structure: Health Care Sciences, Clinical Management and Leadership, and Nursing Education. She added that the Nursing Education accreditation site visit will take place in October. She also noted the arrival of the first pharmacogenomics students at Loudon, and announced Convocation on September 29, at 10:30, in Ross 101, speaker Dr. Carolyn Graham.

E. Research: Dr. Hirshfield reported that most of the summer was spent making the processes as simple as possible, reducing paperwork and timelines, and she credited the IRB Committee and staff for their help. She invited all faculty dealing with human subjects to come to a new monthly meeting for them to meet with the IRB Committee and staff. She also noted that attention is being given to dealing with student projects faster, and to improving other regulatory aspects such as the animal ordering process. Most importantly, she noted work in building bridges among people interested in interacting in interdisciplinary research, the area in which she feels GW can excel. She urged using Research Day, March 31, to ensure opportunities for such interaction, and invited faculty to contribute multidisciplinary topics and suggestions for outstanding speakers in both biomedical and population-based medicine. She also noted efforts to identify opportunities for applying for small grant proposals, and cited a recent R01 grant by Dr. Bielamowicz (Surgery) with Engineering as a model for the kind of research we can have.

Dr. Williams praised Dr. Hirshfield for a remarkable job in the very short time she has been here, particularly in the area of building bridges.

IX. Brief Statements

A. Dr. Akman announced that Dr. Gino Strada, founder of Emergency, a non-profit to aid civilians in wartime, will be coming to GW in October as part of an effort to establish a relationship and will conduct grand rounds in three departments. Dr. Akman invited other interested departments to contact him, citing opportunities for non-M.D.’s as well as M.D.’s. In reply to Ms. Rice (MSIII), he affirmed that Dr. Strada will be speaking to students.

B. Dr. Patierno announced that Dr. Lester Crawford, Commissioner of the FDA, will be the lead speaker in the Cancer Institute Distinguished Lecture Series entitled, “Cancer Health Care, Delivery Systems and Regulatory Affairs,” September 8, 12:00 noon, Hospital Auditorium.

C. Praising our “remarkable students and remarkable faculty,” Dr. Williams extended his personal thanks to the faculty for the outstanding job they are doing in producing the very best in both undergraduate and graduate students.

Jim Scott, M.D.
Secretary