MEDICAL CENTER FACULTY SENATE
November 7, 2007

I. Dr. Goldstein opened the meeting at 5:05 p.m. in Ross 117. Present: Drs. Abrams, Barbour, Barnett, Collins, DePalma, Golder, Goldstein, Guidotti, Hoffman, Hu, Knoll, Latham, Lipson, Lucas, Markle, Noben-Trauth, Petinaux, Phillips, Pintz, Turley, Verme; Dean Katz, Dr. Scott; Dr. Verderese (Resident), Ms. Collura (SMHS student); Parliamentarian Teitelbaum. Absent: Drs. Aly, Ayas, Bianco, Brem, Brody, Mr. Cawley, Drs. Chiappinelli, Chiaramello, Cleary, Cohen, Corriveau, D’Angelo, Gaba, Geist, Guritzky, Holmes, Jain, Lee, Little, Maring, Markus, McCaffrey, Mr. McGraw, Drs. Mendelowitz, Miller, Noonan, Orenstein, Ottolini, Patel, Pearl, Roberti, Rosenberg, Sadeghi, Siegel, Trinidad, Venbrux, Vyas, Walia; Dr. Williams, Dr. Hirshfield, Mr. Sinclair.

II. The minutes of the meeting of May 2, 2007, were approved as distributed.

III. Executive Committee Report: Discussion of Ways to Grow Basic Science-Clinical Research: A list of Executive Committee activity since the last Senate meeting was provided with the agenda. Dr. Goldstein highlighted an introduction by Dr. Lucas to his course on Medical Decision Making, and the opening of a discussion on how to grow basic science-clinical partnerships in support of research. Concerning the latter, he explained that most of the October meeting was devoted to a brainstorming session to which several innovative researchers were invited, including Drs. McCaffrey, Greenberg, Simon, Siegel, Hotez, Katz, and Wasserman. He explained that they presented their views on issues involved, and their ideas on creative ways to grow intellectual capital and partnerships. He stated that since then, he has met with Dr. Becker, who indicated that although the Hospital does not have a tradition of supporting research, it would be open to considering partnership in a viable plan in which the Medical Center and University participated. Dr. Goldstein will also discuss these subjects with Dr. Knapp on Monday. He expressed enthusiasm for the possibilities generated by these discussions.

IV. Approval of Granting of Degrees: Lists of students graduating in the fall semester were provided at the meeting. For the School of Public Health and Health Services [SPHHS], Dean Katz read the Resolution for the Granting of Degrees, requesting the Senate’s approval of students applying for degrees of Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, Master of Science in Exercise Science, Master of Science in Public Health Microbiology and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Masters in Health Services Administration, and Masters in Public Health. A motion was made, seconded, and passed, to approve the proposed degrees. Correspondingly, Dr. Johnson requested the Senate’s approval for Health Sciences degrees of Associate of Science, Bachelor of Science in Health Science, Graduate Certificate, and Master of Science in Health Science. Approval was moved, seconded, and passed.

V. Search Committee Reports 

A.   Dermatology: No report.

B.   Pathology: Dr. Scott announced the completion of the Pathology Search with the selection of Dr. Karcher as Chair, and he thanked the search committee for their work. Dr. Goldstein extended the Senate’s congratulations to Dr. Karcher.

C.   Exercise Science: Dean Katz reported that negotiations are proceeding with a new top candidate.

VI. Departmental Reviews

 A.   Biochemistry: Dr. Scott reported that the external review for Biochemistry has been completed, and the report received; he has met with the department, and a search is being initiated. He added that the review will be shared with the Executive Committee and then the Senate.

 B.   Surgery: Dr. Scott reported that the external review for Surgery is completed; he will discuss it with the department, then with the Executive Committee and Senate.

 C.   Neurology: Dr. Scott reported that the Neurology review is just starting.

 D.   Prevention and Community Health: Dean Katz reported that the department has completed its internal review, and external reviewers are being identified.

VII. March Assembly Date: Dr. Goldstein announced that the next Faculty Assembly meeting will be on Monday, March 3, at 5:00 p.m., in Ross 101.

VIII. University Senate Report: Dr. Biles reported that the Senate continues work in two areas: (1) Undergraduate curriculum review, for which a committee is being formed; (2) the University Budget, in an effort led by Professor Cordes (Economics). He stated that because early projections for 2008-09 indicate a mostly balanced budget, they will be taking a long-range view.

 IX. Administrative Announcements

A.   Provost and Vice President’s Report: In Dr. Williams’ absence, Dr. Scott highlighted some of the events in next week’s Inauguration Week:

Tuesday, 11/13, 4:30-6:00 p.m., Weingold Conference Center, registration required: a presentation on community outreach by the Medical Center’s signature programs in HIV/AIDS and Cancer.

Wednesday, 11/14, registration required: 09:00 a.m., Vanessa Northington-Gamble, University Professor of Medical Humanities, on “Race, Justice, and Health Disparities”; 12:00-1:30, Research posters by GW faculty and students; 1:30-4:30, symposia featuring topical research by GW faculty members.

Thursday, 11/15, 2:00-3:30, panel discussion, ”Health and Health Care beyond Foggy Bottom: The World of Global Health,” Ross Hall: Moderators Deans J. Scott and R. Katz, Panelists Drs. Alan Greenberg (Chair, Epidemiology and Biostatistics), Bob Levine (Professor of Medicine, Yale), and Ed O’Neil (Founder and President, Omni Med).

Friday, 11/16: Procession and Inauguration: Assemble at Business School, 9:00-10:15 a.m., in academic regalia, for academic procession to the Smith Center.

B.  School of Medicine and Health Sciences [SMHS]: Dr. Scott reported on recent AAMC meetings, at which ten faculty from both schools presented at major seminars. He expressed thanks and congratulations to everyone who helped accomplish the changeover of resident malpractice coverage from the University to the MFA. He reported discussions on renovating some of the smaller Ross Hall first-floor classrooms, as well as expanding 117, and he invited input from faculty. Lastly, he announced the LCME site visit February 10-13.

C. Health Sciences: Dean Johnson announced the Physician Assistant accreditation visit next week, and preparations for the self-study for the Physical Therapy program.

D.   School of Public Health and Health Services [SPHHS]: Dean Katz announced that the SPHHS completed its reaccreditation with the site visit on October 1-3, and expressed confidence that the School will be fully accredited for seven years. She reported on numerous activities, beginning with the second year of Public Health Grand Rounds, for which the next session is November 27. She stated that the SPHHS inaugurated the first International Institute for Public Health Laboratory Management, a two-week program, unique among schools, with attendees from eight African countries, China, and one country in South America. She expressed the hope of doing several such programs. She announced that Pfizer presented its Teaching in Excellence Award to Dr. Riegelman, who donated the monetary award to the SPHHS to support undergraduate public health education. The assembled responded with applause. She also reported that the SMHS, SPHHS, and School of Education collaborated on a grant application sponsored by the Association of Schools of Public Health to design a new curriculum based on the Pfizer book Milestones in Public Health, and announced that they have won this national competition. She reported a successful final event for the School’s 10th anniversary, at the National Museum for Women in the Arts, with over 300 participants. She noted that the Director of the Department of Public Health for DC will step down, but expressed confidence that this change in leadership will not affect the School’s extensive collaborative work with them on Medicaid and HIV/AIDS.

E.   Research: For Dr. Hirshfield, Dr. Hu reminded all faculty of Medical Center Research Day on Wednesday, March 12. Expressing the hope of record participation, she announced that one of the speakers is Dr. Harold Varmus, winner of the Nobel Prize.

X. Brief Statements:  None

XI. The meeting adjourned at 5:35.

Jim Scott, M.D.
Secretary

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