I. Dr. Williams opened the meeting at 5:10 p.m. in Ross 101.

II. The minutes of March 6, 2006, were approved as distributed.

III. Executive Committee Annual Report: A list of Senate and Executive Committee actions for 2005-06 was provided with the agenda. Professor Teitelbaum highlighted the Senate’s advice and consent to the appointment of Dr. Werling as Associate Dean for Graduate studies; approval of a Master’s of Science in Emergency Services Management, changes to the Departmental Review process, and revisions to the Goals and Objectives for the M.D. Curriculum; and Executive Committee approval of initiation of departmental reviews in Biochemistry and Surgery.

IV. Action Items: Amendments to Medical Center Faculty Organization Plan: Dr. Williams explained that two action items involving changes to the Organization Plan would be deferred due to lack of the required quorum of 100: (1) to abolish the expedited Search Committee [Bylaws of the Faculty Senate, #8m, #10m], and (2) to require a rotation of the Executive Committee Chair annually between Schools [Art. III, Sec. 5(B)(1) of the Medical Center Faculty Organization Plan]. In consultation, the Parliamentarian subsequently clarified the following procedure: A mail ballot must be authorized and ordered by a majority vote of the Faculty Senate (Art. 86, Bylaws of Assembly, p. 11) at its meeting on November 6; and if sent, requires a 2/3 vote to pass; it must be by mail, not by email or fax. If the Senate votes not to send a mail ballot, the proposed bylaws amendments should be noted officially on the agenda of the next Faculty Assembly.

V. Information Items

A. Report on Medical School Entering Class and on USMLE Steps I, II, and III: Dr. Scott reported that the incoming class has 177 students, tying with last year’s in being the largest class ever, yet it required the fewest offers to acceptances since the records began at least 35 years ago. He reported 11,000 primary applications and 9,000 secondary applications; 56.5% are women; and 27 are under-represented minorities (of which 25 are African-American), the largest number and percentage ever. Turning to the Boards, he reported that our students’ pass rate for Step 1 was 94.3%, which is an increase, and compares favorably to what the national pass rates have been at 92-93; for Step 2, the pass rate was 96%, also an increase and about 2% above what the national averages have been; and most importantly, for Step III, the Clinical Skills Exam, the medical school was one of only five nationally which had a pass rate of 100% last year.

B. Health Sciences Entering Class: Dean Johnson reported that the Health Sciences Programs admitted 291 graduate students and 178 undergraduates, for a total of 469 admitted students, a 19% increase over 2005. She stated that growth in enrollment reflects current programs, no new ones having been added this year. She reported that the Pharmacogenomics program at Loudoun admitted 7 students the previous fall, and 14 students this fall; while the Nursing program admitted 58 new students, for a total of over 100 students. She reported that the DrPT program has a full class of 24 students; the PA student numbers also increased, and the online programs have expanded.

C. School of Public Health and Health Services [SPHHS] Entering Class: Dr. Hunting, Associate Dean for Student and Faculty Development, stated that admissions for the SPHHS have also increased. She reported 57 new undergraduates—41 in the Department of Exercise Science, and 16 in the relatively new BS in Public Health program—and 304 new graduate students, 27% in Global Health and 24% in Prevention and Community Health. She stated that the median age is 25, with a wide range of ages; 85% of the new graduate class are women; 7% are international; and 32% are from minority groups, with 21% from under-represented minority groups. She reported that academic indicators are constant, and students report a wide variety of background experiences.

D. Institute for Biomedical Sciences [IBS]: Dr. Werling reported that for this year’s entering class, the Institute received 188 completed applications; 60 applicants were interviewed, and 11 offers were made for 10 acceptances. She stated that the class consists of three men and seven women. She noted that three additional students participate in a new NIH partnership arrangement which allows them to do part of their research at NIH and part of it at GW (2 female, one male); the overall grade point average for all first year students is 3.38; GRE scores are 60th%ile math, 52nd%ile verbal, and 67th%ile analytical/writing. She added that the Institute has also accepted 2 transfer students. She stated that the total number of incoming students—including the 10 accepts, 3 NIH partnership students, and 2 transfers—is 15.

VI. Presidential Search: Dr. Simon reported that ads are out, and faculty forums are being held to obtain input. He stated that 150 CV’s have been received. He invited anyone with suggestions for a presidential candidate to contact him or Dennis Blumer, Vice President and General Counsel.

VII. Administrative Announcements

A. Medical Center Report: Noting that the University must submit a Campus Plan to the city every ten years, Dr. Williams explained that the current Plan includes development of the Old Hospital site, and a request to the Zoning Commission to add to available building space for the University by increasing density through additional height. He stated that while support for GW in Foggy Bottom is growing, a small group of residents is opposing the plan. He explained that hearings will take place during the fall, and expressed the hope of a ruling in January. He added that if approval is achieved, an early plan would be to demolish Himmelfarb and build up seven stories for a new SPHHS; another would be to demolish Warwick to construct a new Cancer Center.

Dr. Williams asked faculty to be aware of a twelve-year-old lawsuit by four former nurse-anesthetists who alleged over-billing by the Department of Anesthesiology. He stated that although the suit was not supported by the Department of Justice or other national organizations, it was allowed to continue, and funds are being reserved for mediation.

In other areas, Dr. Williams noted that both UHS and Washington Hospital Center have expressed interest in the prospected sale of Greater Southeast. Lastly, he encouraged everyone to attend the Foggy Bottom Citizens Block Party on October 1 from 1:00-4:00 p.m.

B. SPHHS Report: Dean Katz reported that, in addition to the Orientation and Convocation noted by Dean Hunting earlier, the School is embarking on its 10th anniversary year, beginning with the initiation of a new Public Health Grand Rounds series. She stated that the first speaker—to an overflow crowd—was Dr. Julie Gerberding of the CDC; the second, on October 3, will be Dr. David Nabarro, who heads the UN effort in pandemic flu. She reported that the School continues to develop new partnerships, and has two new Master’s programs, in Public Health Communications and Marketing, and in Exercise Science. She noted a recent site visit for the Master’s in Health Services Administration program, and a year-long preparation for the School’s re-accreditation site visit. In Chair searches, she reported that Exercise Science has identified a top candidate, and Prevention and Community Health has interviewed four candidates for first-round visits.

C. Health Sciences Report: Dean Johnson reported that the Health Sciences Programs have completed their first year of reorganization into three departments: Health Care Sciences, Nursing Education, and Clinical Management and Leadership. She stated that new projects include a Certificate in Spirituality, with a goal of admitting students in January, and work with the United Arab Emirates to open a school of allied health sciences there. She expressed the hope of having a Doctorate of Nursing Practice ready for the Board of Trustees in February, and also noted new courses with Emergency Medicine, one in Tactical Medicine and the other a Medical Scribe course for undergraduates. She reported that, with Drs. Williams’ and Scott’s support, they will study the feasibility of a School of Health Sciences, and will also obtain high-level opinions on the future of health sciences. Lastly, she announced that Convocation on September 28 will feature Dr. Ray Mitchell, Dean for Medical Education at Georgetown School of Medicine, as guest speaker; and that Dr. Kenneth Moritsugu will receive the Health Sciences Outstanding Community Service Award.

D. School of Medicine and Health Sciences [SMHS]: Dr. Scott credited the School’s recent admissions successes largely to the Office of Student Opportunities [OSO] and the track system, noting that 96 students partook in its summer opportunities. He added that the disadvantage of having two such large classes is a lack of space. He also reported preparations for the LCME site visit in 2008, which will include a year-long self-study headed by Dr. Schroth. He reported two new collaborative efforts: (1) between the VA and both Schools, which would give them faculty appointments in return for opportunities for our students and residents and access to their large database; (2) with the AAMC, also for faculty appointments in exchange for opportunities for our residents, students, and faculty. He noted that Dr. Jordan Cohen, recent past president, is now a professor in both Schools. In searches, he reported that Dermatology continues, and a Pathology search is about to start. He also noted that Dr. Walsh, Chair of Anatomy for many years, will step down the end of June, and he thanked him for his years of service. He noted that the recent departmental review of Anatomy was positive, and the report is anticipated shortly; in the coming year, Surgery and Biochemistry will be reviewed.

E. Research: Dr. Hirshfield reported a very busy and productive year, with another anticipated for this year. She stated that the Strategic Planning by the University and Medical Center identified research as “the top priority,” and much activity has ensued, including two new institutes: (1) the GWU HIV/AIDS institute, under Drs. A. Greenberg and G. Simon, and (2) the Translational Research and Development Institute, under Dr. Hotez. She also stressed the need to develop a vigorous research program in response to student interest in research, as expressed by this year’s entering class, as well as by those applying for next year.

Dr. Hirshfield acknowledged that challenges face the development of research, in low national research budgets and policy changes hindering research, but expressed confidence that GW will respond to these challenges with persistence, creativity, more proposals, and working together. She cited an impressive response by both new and existing faculty, listing awards received by Dr. Hotez, Mr. Cilluffo, Professor Rosenbaum, Dr. El-Mohandes, Drs. Patierno, Greenberg, Bob Hawley, Julia Lear, and others. She announced that the Cancer Institute received and met a challenge grant from the Amgen Foundation for a men’s oncology program, and described grants in process with the Office of Homeland Security. She reported that initiatives to help current faculty increase research include the setting up of a research database, and a new program of “Synergies and Strategies” sessions, developed by the Committee on Research and headed by Dr. Kashanchi and Ms. Winberry, which all faculty are encouraged to attend.

Dr. Hirshfield announced that the Clinical and Translational Science Award [CTSA] Planning Grant submitted with Children’s will be funded, and a proposal will follow. She stated that the enterprise includes GW, Children’s, University of Maryland, and possibly Howard and Georgetown. She described new partnerships being explored with the New York City Health and Hospital Corporation (HHC) and with the VA on data resources. She reviewed steps taken to improve research services. Most importantly, she stressed that our top priority is and must be research compliance: we must show that in compliance we are not just “good” but “exemplary,” and she thanked the faculty for their patience and cooperation as we continue to improve in this area. Lastly, she reported that an achievement for the near future is to outsource sponsor-designed clinical trials to a central IRB.

VIII. Introduction of New Faculty: A list of new faculty by department, and a collection of information forms provided by new faculty, were provided at the meeting. Department chairs or their designees then introduced new faculty in the departments of Anatomy, Health Policy, Anesthesiology, Biochemistry, Pathology, Emergency Medicine, Environmental and Occupational Health, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Exercise Science, Global Health, Health Care Sciences, Medicine, Microbiology and Tropical Medicine, Neurology, Nursing Education, Ophthalmology, Pediatrics, Pharmacology and Physiology, Prevention and Community Health, Psychiatry, Radiology, and Surgery.

Dr. Williams announced the awarding of a Doctor of Education degree to Dr. Huda Ayas, Executive Director of International Medicine Programs. The assembled responded with applause.

Dr. Williams welcomed all new faculty members, explaining that we are really like a family and celebrate each others’ achievements and life events. He encouraged all to be active participants and to feel free to stop by or make an appointment with any of the Deans and Vice Presidents on the seventh floor.

IX. The meeting adjourned at 6:30, and was followed by a reception for new faculty.