An internationally renowned

researcher in reproductive biol-

ogy has been named the Hall Family

Foundation Molecular Medicine

Professor at the University of

Kansas Medical Center. He will

assume his new position July 1.

David F. Albertini, PhD, profes-

sor of Anatomy and Cellular Biology

and Obstetrics and Gynecology at

Tufts University in Boston, will cre-

ate a research program in molecular

medicine with an emphasis on repro-

ductive and developmental biology

through an endowed fund for the

professorship. The professorship is

part of a 1993 gift of $2.6 million

from the Hall Family Foundation of

Kansas City to the Kansas

University Endowment Association.

“The resources on this campus,

the faculty and the existing programs

in reproductive science and women’s

health are outstanding, and I am

thrilled to be able to contribute to

these efforts,” Albertini said during a

visit to the KUMC campus earlier

this week. “I want to help build a

program that will look at how we

can optimize maternal health to

assure the birth of healthy children.”

Albertini’s appointment will be

within the Department of Molecular

and Integrative Physiology at the

KU School of Medicine, which is

ranked 40th in National Institute of

Health (NIH) funding among the

125 physiology programs at U.S.

medical schools. His research in the

areas of the regulation of ovarian

function and in development of

mammalian eggs and embryos may

lead to advances in ovarian cancer

prevention, fetal development and

infertility treatments, according to

Barbara Atkinson, MD, executive

dean of the SoM.

“Professor Albertini’s appoint-

ment is also of importance because

his research interest and internation-

al stature will add greater depth to

the already existing and nationally

renowned developmental and repro-

ductive biology programs of the

School of Medicine,” Atkinson said.

Albertini will become a part of

KU’s contributions to the Kansas

City Life Sciences initiative,

Atkinson added.

“It is a testament to this area’s

strength in life sciences research

that we were able to bring such an

outstanding researcher to KU at this

time,” she said.

Albertini earned a bachelor’s

degree in biology in 1970 at

Marquette University and a master’s

degree in zoology at the University of

Massachusetts in 1972. In 1975, he

earned a doctorate in cell biology at

Harvard University. He completed a

research fellowship in physiology and

a NIH fellowship at the University of

Connecticut Health Center.

Researcher Named to KUMCBiosciences Professorship

The University of Kansas Medical Center

26 FEBRUARY 2004 • VOLUME 6 • NUMBER 9

continued on page 2

David F. Albertini, PhD

Page 2 New Nurse ReceptionAdmission Forms

Page 3 AARC Grants

Pages 4-5 Front & Center

Page 6 Physician Update

Page 7 What’s News

Page 8 Classifieds, etc.

Inside

Recent and soon-to-be nursing

school graduates will have a chance to

check out employment opportunities

at The University of Kansas Hospital.

A reception for nurses new to the pro-

fession will be held Tuesday, March 9,

from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria.

“We hope to attract people

who’ve graduated from nursing

schools in the two-state area during

the past few months, as well as

those who will graduate this spring,”

explained Tammy Peterman, hospi-

tal chief nurse executive and vice

president of Patient Care Services.

During the reception, Peterman

will speak to the grads about job

opportunities at the hospital and the

programs and training available to

help them successfully start their

nursing careers. They’ll also be able

to talk one-on-one with Department

of Nursing directors, nurse man-

agers, clinical nurses and members

of the Human Resources staff.

Guided tours of hospital nursing

units will be provided, and refresh-

ments will be served.

“This event will allow the grads

to tell us what they want in a nursing

career and help us determine how

their knowledge and interests best fit

the wide variety of nursing opportu-

nities we offer at The University of

Kansas Hospital,” Peterman added.

The Department of Nursing and

Hospital Human Resources are

jointly planning and sponsoring the

reception. For more information

about the reception, contact Caryn

Ungashick, Human Resources sen-

ior recruiter, at 8-4522.

Hospital Plans Reception for Nursing Graduates

From the time patients enter

The University of Kansas Hospital,

their Record of Admission forms

become “passports,” following

them throughout their hospital stay.

The form is used by physicians,

nurses, social workers and other

health care professionals. It provides

important information about the

patient, including admitting diagno-

sis, admitting physician, referring

physician, insurance, employer and

basic demographic information.

Beginning March 10, the form

will have a new look designed to sim-

plify processes. Melinda Clark, RN,

director of Admitting, wants every-

one to be aware of the change, but

be assured that the form contains the

same information. A new printed

version of the “consent to treat”

form will remain on blue paper,

making it immediately recognizable

and easy to locate.

“The new printed forms are

easier to read, and the information

is laid out in a more logical man-

ner,” Clark said.

She added the new forms are the

result of an equipment upgrade that

will actually make them more cost-

efficient. Each day, between 50-75

patients are admitted to the hospital.

New Record of Admission Forms Launch March 10

2

In addition to his academic appointments at Tufts, Albertini is a lecturer

in the Harvard University Department of Pathology, a visiting staff scientist

at the New England Regional Primate Research Center and a faculty mem-

ber at the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole, Mass.

For 30 years, Albertini’s research has integrated the disciplines of

reproductive, cell and developmental biology. He has maintained a long-

term interest in using molecular, genetic and optical imaging methods to

understand cellular behaviors related to ovarian function, gamete biology

and early development in mammals.

In addition to his research, Albertini is also committed to medical edu-

cation. He has taught courses in anatomy and cell, developmental and

tissue biology, and mentored many students over the years.

His teaching has been recognized with numerous awards, including the

2001 Founders Lecturer Award from the Australian Society for Reproductive

Biology, the 2002 Hammond Medal from the European Society for

Reproduction and Fertility, and the 2003 Colwin Fellow at the Marine

Biological Laboratory. He also received the Lauro F. Cavazos Teaching

Award in 1989 and the President’s Outstanding Faculty Achievement Award

at Tufts University in 1996.

Biosciences Professorship, continued from page 1

3

The Autism Asperger Resource

Center (AARC) recently received a

$25,000 grant from the Kauffman

Foundation and a $10,000 grant from

the Sauder Foundation.

The grants will assist the not-for-

profit organization in its effort to

become “the one-stop comprehensive

community resource for patients, pro-

fessionals and other care providers of

children with autism spectrum disor-

ders and other developmental

disabilities,” said Sue Ann Kline, PhD,

AARC executive director.

The center has served the metro-

politan area and the state of Kansas

since 1995, when it was founded as

a KUMC-based program. It recently

moved its offices from the Miller

Building to the second floor of the

Developmental Disabilities Center,

Room 2012, and is now closely affil-

iated with the DDC.

Efforts to spread the word about

the new AARC included a communi-

ty meeting Feb. 20. About a dozen

people representing groups that serve

the needs of children with autism,

Asperger’s disorder and other devel-

opmental disabilities attended the

meeting. It provided a forum to dis-

cuss the growing needs within the

community for information and

resources.

“More children each year are

being identified with autism spec-

trum disorders – a 160 percent

increase in Kansas alone in the last

four years,” Kline said.

“We hope to respond to the need

with an expanded program and mis-

sion. We are expanding from being

a university-based program to being

a community-based program with a

full-time staff that reaches more

than 12,000 people annually through

direct contact, referrals, presenta-

tions, e-mails and the Internet.”

Kline defined AARC’s mission

to its patients: “To enhance their

quality of life, their integration into

the community and to help them gain

self-determination as individuals.”

AARC offers a variety of services,

including play, social and leisure skill

development; consultation and pro-

gram planning; individual, family

and group therapy; workshops for

parents and professionals; a summer

camp; vocational programming and

training; a lending library; and parent

and sibling support groups.

Asperger’s disorder is a pervasive

developmental disorder that occurs in

up to 71 of every 10,000 births. It is

characterized by significant chal-

lenges in social interaction and by

restricted and unusual patterns of

interest and behavior. Common char-

acteristics include self-stimulation,

insistence on routine and resistance to

environmental change. However,

children with Asperger’s disorder

most often have average to above-

average intellectual functioning, as

well as typical language onset.

Autism, usually diagnosed by

age three, affects social interaction,

communication, behavior, imagina-

tive or symbolic play, and cognition.

People with autism may exhibit

unusual responses to others, attach-

ments to objects, resistance to change

in routines and repeated body move-

ments. They may also experience

sensitivities to sight, hearing, touch,

smell and taste. Autism spectrum dis-

orders occur in approximately 15 of

every 10,000 individuals and are four

to five times more prevalent in males

than in females.

For more information about

autism and Asperger’s, visit the AARC

Web site, www.autismasperger.org.

Two Grants Help AARC Serve the Community

AARC executive director Sue Ann Kline, PhD (center standing), speaks at acommunity meeting.

McDowd HonoredA Feb. 13 reception honored Joan McDowd, PhD, new associate director,

Center on Aging. Attending (from left) were Karen Miller, RN, PhD, dean of the

KU Schools of Nursing and Allied Health, McDowd, Barbara Atkinson, MD, execu-

tive dean of the KU School of Medicine and vice chancellor for Clinical Affairs,

and Randolph Nudo, PhD, director, Center on Aging.

Soul Food FundraiserBelow right, Angela Harvey and Karen Rayford, coordinators in the Health

Careers Pathways Program, and Marcus Barber, second-year KU School of

Medicine student, were among 15 students and eight faculty and staff who

prepared food for the Student National

Medical Association’s Soul Food

Sampler Feb. 18 in Stoland Lounge.

About 100 people were served lunch,

and $500 was raised by the student

organization. Proceeds will fund future

programs, such as Kansas City Mayor

Pro Tem Alvin Brooks’ presentation

Feb. 26 on health care changes in the

Kansas City area. He will speak at noon

in G013 of the School of Nursing.

Toys for PatientsAbove left, Kris Brees, nurse manag-

er, Pediatrics, accepted stuffed toys

donated to the unit by Hannah

Sojka and her mother, Marcy, of

Overland Park. Hannah celebrated

her 10th birthday by asking friends to

come to a party and bring stuffed

toys for children at The University of

Kansas Hospital instead of bringing

her gifts. The Sojkas came up with

the idea after a family friend was a

patient at the hospital for six weeks.

Their adult friend was so excited to

receive a teddy bear delivered by

the KUMC chaplain that the Sojkas

thought hospitalized children would

enjoy stuffed toys too.

4

During a Feb. 20 recognition lunch-

eon and ceremony, employees of

KUMC’s Department of Internal

Medicine were recognized for their

years of service. Celebrating 25 years

or more with the department were

Christy Kieser (back), General and

Geriatric Medicine, Lisa Willis (left)

and Carol Lohman (right), Billing, with

Susan Pingleton, MD, Peter T. Bohan

Professor and chair of the

Department of Internal Medicine.

Other employees were recognized

with certificates and gifts for five, 10,

15 and 20 years of service.

At the event, Pingleton re-empha-

sized the department’s mission and

outlined goals, which include strate-

gic, measured and planned growth,

increased patient satisfaction

scores, improved efficiency of the

ambulatory practice, and using a

more business-like approach.

Internal Medicine Celebration

KUMC International Outreach spon-

sored an auction Feb. 13 to raise

money for a medical mission trip to

Belize. Approximately $2,500 was

raised during the event. Rick Moberly

(behind podium), group treasurer,

watched as auctioneers Jennifer

Bacani and Jennifer McAllaster

auctioned off Lou Wetzel, PhD (on

stairs). The three students are among

12 KUMC students, six doctors and

two nurses who will do medical work

in Mayan villages dur-

ing spring break. The

group is still accepting

donations, which can

be made online at

www.kumcio.org.

The next fundraiser,

an international lunch-

eon, is planned for

Tuesday, March 9, in

Hixson Atrium. For

more information,

contact Jane Jenab,

president, at

jjenab@kumc.edu.

International Outreach Auction

5

Randy Bouligny, MD, assis-

tant professor, Department of

Ophthalmology, specializes in

cataracts, general eye care and glau-

coma. He completed medical school

at Cornell University, New York,

and an internship in internal medi-

cine at Ochsner Clinic Foundation,

New Orleans. Bouligny completed a

residency in ophthalmology at West

Virginia University Hospitals, Inc.,

Morgantown, W.Va., and a fellow-

ship in glaucoma at the University

of California, San Diego.

Andrea Charbonneau, MD,

assistant professor, Department of

Internal Medicine, specializes in

geriatric and general medicine. She

completed medical school at New

York Medical College, Valhalla,

N.Y., a residency in internal medi-

cine at Brown University,

Providence, R.I., and a fellowship in

general medicine at Boston

University. She is a clinician research

investigator and has clinical interests

in health promotion and disease pre-

vention. Charbonneau is certified by

the American Board of Internal

Medicine and the American Board of

Preventive Medicine.

R. Chris Glattes, MD, assis-

tant professor, Department of

Orthopedic Surgery, specializes

in neck and back surgery, cervical

and lumbar disk problems, spinal

fusion using instrumentation, pedi-

atric and adult scoliosis and

kyphosis surgery, minimally inva-

sive and microsurgery of the neck

and back, spine trauma and spinal

cord injury. He completed medical

school at the University of Kansas

School of Medicine and an intern-

ship in general surgery and a

residency in orthopedic surgery at

Vanderbilt University Medical

Center, Nashville, Tenn. Glattes

also completed a spine fellowship

at Washington University School of

Medicine, St. Louis.

Emran Rouf, MD, assistant

professor, Department of Internal

Medicine, specializes in internal

medicine and has special interests in

chronic disease management, particu-

larly for diabetes, chronic obstructive

pulmonary disease (COPD) and asth-

ma. He completed medical school

and an internship in internal medicine

and surgery at Dhaka Medical

College, Dhaka, Bangladesh. He also

completed a residency in primary

care and internal medicine at Saint

Vincent Hospital, Worcester, Mass.,

and a fellowship in general internal

medicine at New York University.

Rouf is certified by the American

Board of Internal Medicine.

Recognizing physicians who have recently joined the medical staff

Randy Bouligny, MD Andrea Charbonneau, MD R. Chris Glattes, MD Emran Rouf, MD

Physician Update

6

7

Hospital EmployeeSurvey Deadline

If you’re an employee of

The University of Kansas Hospital

and you haven’t completed the 2004

employee survey, there are still a

few days left to share your opinion.

The survey dates have been extend-

ed through Sunday, Feb. 29, and

additional walk-in sessions in the

Wyandotte Room have been added.

An online survey can be com-

pleted in about 15 minutes by going

to http://intranet.kumed.com, typing

in your name and password, and then

clicking on “2004 Employee Survey”

under the “Announcements” section.

You also can complete a paper

version by stopping by the Wyandotte

Room in the cafeteria from 6:30 a.m.-

8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26. All surveys

are anonymous, and employees’ open

and honest participation is encouraged.

To date, about 1,000 employees

have completed the survey. The

hospital’s goal is to have 2,000

responses. If you have questions

concerning the survey, contact Terry

Rusconi at 8-1487.

VISTA Award WinnerThe American Hospital

Association’s Society of Healthcare

Engineering has recognized the hos-

pital’s Design, Construction and

Maintenance (DCM) Department for

its emergency generator project. The

project team won honorable mention

in the annual VISTA Awards Program

for the design and installation of the

hospital’s four emergency generators,

which are located in the loading dock.

In addition to DCM, Materials

Management and the Safety Office

assisted with the project.

Having an emergency power

system is a life safety issue and a

requirement of the Joint Commission

on Accreditation of Healthcare

Organizations (JCAHO). The project

was fast tracked and completed in

spring 2002, more than three months

ahead of schedule.

Ancillary CareRecognition Day

The University of Kansas

Hospital’s Ancillary Care Division

held an employee recognition day

Feb. 19 with a reception and awards

presentation. About 60 employees

attended the event in the Varnes

Center of the School of Nursing.

Patricia Sanders-Hall, hospital

vice president, Ancillary Care, and

the directors of the seven departments

presented awards to employees for

outstanding contributions and leader-

ship. The departments recognized

were Clinical Laboratory, Clinical

Nutrition, Pharmacy, Pulmonary

Function/Sleep/Cardiac Rehabili-

tation, Radiology, Rehabilitation and

Respiratory Therapy.

Bob Page, hospital chief operat-

ing officer, recognized Ancillary

Care’s 700 employees for the impor-

tant role they play in patient care by

providing diagnostic and therapeutic

services that not only save lives but

improve patients’ quality of life.

Spanish ClassesCarlos Navarro and Jose Tello,

both interpreters at The University

of Kansas Hospital, will offer two

Spanish classes – a beginner’s and

an intermediate.

• Beginner’s course:

Starts March 22 and covers

the very basics of Spanish

grammar, pronunciation and

medical language.

• Intermediate course:

Starts March 23 and covers

advanced grammar, conversa-

tion, medical language and

medical terminology.

Both classes will be held in

1030 Sudler from 5-7 p.m. for eight

weeks. The cost is $140 and includes

a manual.

For information, contact Navarro

at 913-244-6659. To enroll, send a

check to Carlos Navarro, 11915

Wenonga, Leawood, Kan., 66209.

Thursday, Feb. 26

• Black History Month lecture,“Affecting Health Care Change inthe Kansas City Area,” Kansas CityMayor Pro Tem Alvin Brooks,noon, G013, School of Nursing.

Friday, Feb. 27

• Mary Kay sale to benefit theKansas Cancer Institute, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Wyandotte Room.

Monday, March 1

• KUMC Student Leadership Awardsnomination deadline, 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 2

• Women’s History Month lecture,“Light in the Shadows,” produc-er/director Shakti Butler, noon,G013 School of Nursing.

Wednesday, March 3

• Caregiver training session, 9:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m., LandonCenter.

• Graduation Fair for KUMC faculty,staff and students, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.,Stoland Lounge.

Thursday, March 4

• Children’s Miracle Network andMix 93’s Sixth Annual Mix forKids Radiothon, live broadcast,10 a.m.-1 p.m., cafeteria.

• Music at the Med series, KU faculty member Richard Reber onpiano, noon, Battenfeld Auditorium.

For a more complete listing ofcampus events, go tohttp://www2.kumc.edu/calendar/.

Coming UpClassifieds, etc.

Automotive:2001 Honda Accord Coupe EX, beautifulcar, must see, 39K, fully loaded, $14,500OBO. 913-579-8681.

1997 Chrysler Sebring convertible, redwith tan top, tan interior, 79.7K, A/C,automatic, power locks, RWD, seriousinquiries only, $5,000. 816-419-8263.

1993 Black Honda Accord LX, 102K,automatic, A/C, sunroof, new brakes/exhaust/tires, $4,200. 913-724-3777.

1984 BMW 528 E, 4-door, leather seats,sunroof, clean, good condition, $1,500OBO. 816-547-7294.

3rd seat for GMC or Chevy Suburban,1996-98 models, beige/tan, leather, excel-lent condition, $3000 OBO. 913-648-5534.

For Sale:North of river house cleaning service,reasonable rates, dependable, great ref-erences, weekly, biweekly or one time.816-734-1480.

Brother sewing machine, like new, original packaging, manual, lots of extraaccessories, $200. 816-241-8567 orsandiclaus@aol.com.

Pair of 1950-60’s recliners, dark, neutralbrowns, solid wood arms, solid frame,$50 for pair or $35 each; solid brassStiffel table lamp, excellent shape, shade,$50; Eddie Bauer Home Collection irontable lamp with parchment shade, $50;misc. antique shipping crates, totallyrefinished and preserved, some with orig-inal paper labels, $5-$30; brass floorlamp with shade, $10; black metal toolbox for truck, free. 913-708-1087.

Designer handbags, guaranteed authen-tic, new and used. 816-419-8263.

2 wedding dresses, beautiful condition:size 12 with long train, hat and longsleeves; size 6 with short sleeves; makeoffer. 816-356-1410.

69" sleeper sofa and 85" sofa, bothexcellent condition, $100 each OBO.913-579-8097.

For Rent:3 BR house on Esterly Street, KCK,within security escort range to KUMC,will rent whole house or 2 rooms, avail-able end of March. 913-322-9411.

Irene M. Cumming Donald Hagen, MDPresident and CEO Executive Vice ChancellorThe University of University of KansasKansas Hospital Medical Center

Barbara Jaekel, EditorVal Renault, Senior Writer

Kevin White, Senior Graphic DesignerJan Lewis, Editorial Manager

Mary King, Communications Services Director

In The Center is a weekly employee publication published by The University of Kansas Hospital’sCommunications Services Department. Send story ideasto Barbara Jaekel, Bldg. 48, Room 1070, or e-mailbjaekel or call 8-1074.

Ad Policy - Send or bring your ad, 30 words or less, toBldg. 48, Room 1070, fax to 8-1063, or e-mail bjaekelby noon Thursday of the week before it is to run. Adsrun free of charge for employees, students and volun-teers. All ads must include the advertiser’s name andwork extension (or student box number) for verifica-tion. Only home phone numbers–no pager numbersor work extensions–will be published. Please includearea code. No ads for commercial services or pets forsale will be accepted. Ads will not be taken by tele-phone. Ads may be held a week if space is limited.

3901 RAINBOW BOULEVARD • KANSAS CITY, KS 66160 • (913) 588-5000 • WWW.KUMC.EDU

JayDoc Clinic ExpandsThe Kauffman Fund for Greater

Kansas City has awarded the

KU School of Medicine’s JayDoc

Free Clinic $15,000. The award will

provide additional adolescent care

services on the first and third

Monday evenings of the month.

The JayDoc Free Clinic was

founded by SoM students in Aug.

2003. It also is open Wednesdays

from 6-10 p.m. in the Southwest

Boulevard Family Health Care

building at the corner of Rainbow

and Southwest Boulevards in

Kansas City, Kan.