Newest UCSF Residents and Fellows Prepare for Training

New Report Examines Effects of Smaller Cuts to GME Funding

Nearly 22,000 jobs would be lost if the nation’s largest teaching hospitals received even a 20 percent cut to Medicare indirect medical education (IME) support, according to a newly released analysis by Tripp Umbach.  In addition, the cut in IME support would reduce state and local tax revenues by nearly $200 million.  This 20 percent reduction in graduate medical education (GME) funding is one of the options being considered in deficit-reduction negotiations.  The report and other materials on preserving GME funding can be found on the AAMC’s GME funding page.

Reposted from AAMC STAT.

Celebration for Dr. Helen Loeser

On June 28th, members of the campus community gathered to celebrate Dr. Helen Loeser's 13 years of leadership as the Associate Dean of Curriculum.

Prior to becoming the Associate Dean, Helen served as the Pediatric Clerkship Director, and from 1991-1998 Helen served as the Director of Undergraduate Education, a role that garnered her so much respect on a school-wide basis that she was selected to be Associate Dean for Curriculum. Upon joining the Deans Office Helen oversaw the major redesign of the medical school curriculum.

It is hard to imagine anyone who exhibits a stronger commitment to UCSF School of Medicine than Dr. Loeser. She works tirelessly on behalf of students, residents, alumni, faculty and staff in the school and across campus. Teaching and mentoring medical students and faculty members is her passion.

Dr. Loeser is the recipient of numerous honors and awards including membership in A.O.A., the Residents Teaching Award at Mount Zion (Golden Bagel Award), the Clinical Faculty Teaching Award and the Holly Smith Award. Most recently, she was awarded the Distinguished Academic Achievement Award from the University of Vermont.

The event spotlighted several heartwarming and humorous speeches that represented the various groups that Helen touched, including colleagues, students, mentees, and staff.

View Slideshow of Event! (photos courtesy of Sarah Paris)

A Time for Remembering Kevin Mack

Please join us at a UCSF gathering

A Time for Remembering Kevin Mack

Thursday, July 21, 2011
5:00 PM
Cole Hall, UCSF Parnassus Campus

Simulcast to:
SFGH Cafeteria
UC Berkeley University Hall 150

In lieu of flowers, donations to benefit his husband and children may be made to the Kevin Mack, MD, Memorial Fund through Wells Fargo Bank (more details can be found at the website below).

At the remembrance, we will be building books as a gift to his children, Chiaki (age 7) and Nobu (age 4), about who Kevin was and how so many were touched by his love of life.

You may also contribute your impressions and remembrances digitally at:
www.KevinMack.forevermissed.com

For more information, please contact Gina Martinez at
(415) 476-7755 or gina.martinez@ucsf.edu

Read more: http://www.ucsf.edu/news/2011/07/10247/ucsf-professor-dies-campus-shuttle-bus-accident

Cuts to GME Funding Will Damage America’s Health

The AAMC sent a letter July 5 to the White House urging President Obama to preserve Medicare funding for graduate medical education (GME). In the letter, AAMC President and CEO Darrell G. Kirch, M.D., noted that while reducing the deficit is important, cutting physician training at a time when the nation faces a critical shortage of doctors will threaten the health of all Americans. The AAMC also launched a print and drive-time radio advertising campaign in the Washington, D.C., metro region describing the harmful effects cuts to GME will have on the nation’s health

Guidelines for Volunteers

There have recently been some issues on the campus that underscore the need for departments to understand and follow guidelines established for volunteers.  In particular it is important to remember that individuals volunteer at UCSF as a public service, for civic and humanitarian as well as personal development reasons. Volunteers freely donate their services without pay. UCSF provides these opportunities as a public service.

It is critical in protecting the interests of both the University and the volunteer that their work status as “volunteer” be distinct and separate from the status of paid employees. However, it is the responsibility of the department director or manager to oversee their work to ensure that volunteers comply with all applicable University policies as well as all State and Federal laws.  Click here for the volunteer packet with detailed guidelines and instructions. 

Please pay particular attention to categories of individuals who are not volunteers, the waiver form and coding instructions.  If you have questions please contact your HR Representative or the Risk Management Office at (415) 476-3460.

Susan Masters Appointed as Associate Dean of Curriculum

Susan Masters, PhD, has been appointed as associate dean of curriculum, as announced by Dean Sam Hawgood on June 29, 2011. She will take over that position on August 1, 2011, when the current associate dean of curriculum, Dr. Helen Loeser, steps down.

In her new role, Dr. Masters will lead the continuous evolution of our curriculum, which is considered a model nationwide, while collaboratively managing the complex everyday work of Curricular Affairs to create a rich learning environment for our students and educators.

Read the full story at here.

What can Health Professions Education Learn from Angry Birds?

Catherine Lucey - Vice Dean Elect for Medical Education recently address the Apple Academix conference on "How mobility can deliver better education and patient care." Her use of the game Angry Birds as a reference for modern learning is not to be missed. Click here to watch.