Associate Dean Randy Eken, the chair of the Administrative Search Committee, recently updated me on the status of our search for four new members of the School’s senior leadership team. As you may recall, we decided to use one search firm (Witt/Kieffer) to help us conduct all four searches. Although such a simultaneous search process is not the norm, I thought that trying something novel was worth the risk—and the advantage of using one firm who knew us well was important. It turns out that the experiment was a great success! Three of the searches are progressing well, while the one search that is going slowly was not unanticipated. That’s the search for a chair of geriatrics, and we knew from our prior failed search about two years ago that geriatricians are in short supply—despite the country’s great need for them because of the aging population (fellow baby boomers, that means you and me!). Should you have any leads about possible candidates, please get in touch with Associate Dean Eken or with Karen Otto from Witt/Kieffer.

As far as the other three searches, the three terrific finalists for the associate dean of student affairs and admissions position have all completed campus visits and interviews. The final selection process should be completed soon, and I anticipate that the selected candidate will be in place by July 1. If you would like to learn more about the candidates, you may view their presentations (please click on the title of the presentation above the candidate’s name).

The second search that is progressing well is for the founding chair of our soon-to-be-integrated basic sciences department. Four outstanding finalists have been identified by the search committee, and campus visits are being arranged over the next few weeks. Finally, several great possibilities for the Master of Public Health Program have been identified, and the first candidate is coming in for a campus visit soon. So I think that it is reasonable to anticipate that these three critical leadership positions will be filled by outstanding candidates by the start of the new academic year (July, 2012). Whether the same can be said about the geriatrics position is uncertain.

Earlier this week, the students staged their annual Talent Show, and yet again, I was impressed by the range and extent of talent that abounds at our School! Unfortunately, that talent to do other creative things doesn’t extend to me! I was invited to participate in the Spelling Bee, and while I made it through the first two rounds and was the last faculty member standing, I succumbed to purkinje. The winner was Michael Schwalbe, a second-year student, who spelled with confidence and surety, unlike me! My only defense is typified by the saying attributed to Mark Twain that “I don't give a darn for a man that can only spell a word one way!” It was a most enjoyable evening, and our School’s commitment to accepting well-rounded students was on display—our students certainly have talents and interests outside of medicine. And most of us believe that well-rounded students make better citizens—and better doctors and other health providers!

Finally, it is my pleasure to announce the awardees for this year’s North Dakota Spirit Faculty Achievement Awards. The award, funded by the UND Foundation, was established to recognize significant contributions by faculty to teaching, research, and service. The recipients, who will be officially recognized during the annual UND Founders Day banquet on February 23, are Tom Hill, for outstanding contributions to teaching and service; John Shabb, for his contributions to education and curriculum development; Brij Singh (a second-time winner), for his productive research efforts, including a renewal of the coveted R01 federal research grant; and Tom Mohr, for terrific teaching and service to the School. Congratulations to all! And please try to attend the Founders Day celebration in three weeks.

Joshua Wynne, MD, MBA, MPH
UND Vice President for Health Affairs
Dean, UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Virtual run to honor Sherry Arnold is February 11

On February 11, there will be a "virtual run" to honor my stepmother Sherry Arnold. Read more of her story and also find a link to print a "running bib," which you may wear on that day if you wish to do so. Please help us honor Sherry's life, and consider running, walking, or biking for Sherry, whether it be by yourself, in a small group, or part of a larger group.

Thank you so much for all of your support,

Catherine Arnold, MSII

Haiti Surgical Mission 2012: A Resident's Perspective is today's Surgery Grand Rounds topic

Kyle Barker, MD, PGY IV surgery resident in the Department of Surgery, will be presenting his talk titled “Haiti Surgical Mission 2012: A Resident's Perspective” from Rooms A and B at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks today from 12:15 to 1 p.m.

The objectives of his talk are to do the following:

1. Identify needs for surgical/medical mission in less developed countries.
2. Demonstrate specific challenges to surgery in less developed countries.
3. Understand how current skills can be transferable to other localities.

This Surgery Grand Rounds Conference, sponsored by the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences Department of Surgery, is broadcasted via video conference to many sites in North Dakota and Minnesota.

All are welcome to attend

Geralyn Lunski
Administrative Assistant, Faculty and Conference Coordinator
Department of Surgery

University of North Dakota Founders Day is February 23

Celebrate UND Founders Day 2012! Read more

Brain Injury Conference: Mind Matters 2012 is March 7 and 8

This conference is intended for physicians, psychologists, physician assistants, nurses, social workers, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, recreational therapists, vocation rehabilitation case workers, licensed addiction counselors, brain injury survivors and their families, persons working in all capacities with veterans, and other interested health care professionals. The purpose of this conference is to provide attendees with current concepts and treatment modalities in the care of patients with brain injuries. Read more

2012 Dakota Conference registration is now open

Registration for the 2012 Dakota Conference on Rural and Public Health is now open. Registration forms and payment must be received by the Center for Rural Health by April 29 to receive the discounted registration. Read more

UND, NDSU launch joint MPH program

The University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University are pleased to announce the launch of the new North Dakota Master of Public Health (MPH) program.

NDSU offers specialization tracks in Health Promotion, Pharmacy in Public Health, Infectious Disease Management, and Emergency Management. Those wishing to pursue one of these tracks will apply to North Dakota State University. Learn more about NDSU’s specializations.

UND offers specialization tracks in Rural Health Management and Policy, Rural Health and Health Care, and A Healthy Society. Those interested in pursuing one of these tracks will apply to the University of North Dakota. Learn more about UND’s specializations.

The first students in the program begin classes fall 2012, and the application deadline is April 1.

Meal Reimbursement and Lodging in Western North Dakota

Sharon Loiland, controller in UND Finance and Operations, requests that all employees please carefully note the following: Meal Reimbursement and Lodging in Western North Dakota.

Nominations sought for Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor

Nominations are currently being sought for individuals to be considered for recognition as a Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor. The nominations are due to Judy Solberg no later than 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 1.

The nomination process at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences is as follows:

1. The nominator(s) must submit a nomination letter. Nominator(s) must be a Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor, full professor, or department chair.
2. Nominee’s chair must submit a letter of support.
3. Dean Wynne must second all nominations in writing.
4. Letters of support from other faculty are encouraged.
5. A current curriculum vitae of the nominee must accompany the nomination.

Please see the specific criteria and appointment procedures for further details.

The Graduate School dean will convene a selection committee that will review and determine recommendations for the award. The provost will then assess those recommendations and forward them to the president. The award is given at Spring Commencement.

If you have any questions, please e-mail Judy Solberg or call (701) 777-2722.

Judy Solberg, MPA
Chief of Staff
Office of the Dean

Social Media: NORTHSTAR Network

On our Facebook page, read "About Best Practices in Diabetes Care," a story in MedPage Today that features the SMHS Northern States Ambulatory Research Network (NORTHSTAR) led by Charles Christianson, MD, ScM.

You will also find the latest Health Matters column, written by Dean Wynne, which can be found in the Grand Forks Herald every other Saturday. Please submit any general health-related questions to healthmatters@med.und.edu.

You can also get the latest SMHS news by following the School on Twitter.

University Letter: One of the "Little Rock Nine" desegregation movement to speak

Terrence Roberts, one of the famous “Little Rock Nine,” a group of brave black students who led the way to desegregation of public schools in the late 1950s, will present “Lessons from Little Rock” at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 6, in the Memorial Union in Grand Forks.

More information about this event and other UND news can be found in the University Letter. Published on Tuesdays and Thursdays, it is distributed electronically to the University community and is always available online. For more information, contact editor Jan Orvik at (701) 777-3621.

Supersize Your Search Skills

Get ideas that will help you Supersize Your Search Skills by attending presentations by the reference librarians of the Harley E. French Library of the Health Sciences in Grand Forks. All library classes are free and open to all. Advance registration is not required. All classes will be 20 minutes long with a 10-minute Q & A following the presentation.

Supersize Your Search Skills will be offered from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. on Tuesdays and repeated from 4 to 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Session title, date, time, and location follow for the Supersize presentations:

• RefWorks & Other Bibliographic Management Software, 12:15–12:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 7, in the United Lecture Hall and 4–4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9, in the Library Classroom.
• My NCBI: How to Track Searches and Load Collections in PubMed, 12:15–12:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 21, in the United Lecture Hall and 4–4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23, in the Library Classroom.

Barbara Knight
Assistant Director
Harley E. French Library of the Health Sciences