Graduation weekend was hectic but fun! The School had the pleasure and honor of graduating 61 medical students, 47 physical therapy students, 85 medical laboratory science students, 32 occupational therapy students, 4 athletic trainers, 55 physician assistants, and 2 graduate students. Dr. Mary Wakefield gave an inspiring address on Saturday at UND’s General Commencement, as did our own Judy DeMers at Sunday’s commencement ceremonies for the graduating medical students. I was particularly proud of our student and faculty award winners. Six faculty and staff awards stand out—the Dean’s Recognition Awards, honoring those voluntary community faculty members who were recognized for their notable and outstanding contributions to our educational program; the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Awards to Drs. Myra Quanrud and Christopher Irmen, MD 2012; the Charles E. Kupchella Preventive Medicine and Wellness Award to Dr. Eric Johnson, in recognition of his efforts to reduce tobacco use; and the Hippocratic Dignity Award to Randy Eken, in honor of his innumerable contributions to the School and its students over nearly three decades of service. And it is a special treat to congratulate Phyllis Tweton in the Office of Medical Education for winning a Meritorious Service Award at Tuesday’s UND staff recognition luncheon. Congratulations to all!

We are planning on making a change in the Northeast Campus (Grand Forks) dean position as of July. Dr. Jon Allen has served admirably in this position for a number of years, but the burgeoning activities and programs of ND STAR, our simulation training center, are consuming more and more of his time. So Jon has asked to be relieved of the campus dean’s duties so he may devote himself more fully to the simulation center. We’d therefore appreciate any inquiries from academic or clinical faculty members on the Northeast Campus who might have any interest in this position. It requires about a 20 percent effort. Major responsibilities are to coordinate with the third- and fourth-year students on campus and assist them with career planning, along with helping them schedule rotations and electives. In addition, the Northeast Campus dean reviews evaluations from faculty and students, arranges educational activities for the campus students, and reviews student performance. The campus dean also acts as the link between the School and Altru Hospital, and serves to encourage medical staff participation in our educational mission. If you are interested in or would like to discuss further this position, please contact Dr. Charles Christianson, associate dean for Clinical Education, at charles.christianson@med.und.edu or (701) 777-3240.

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

Bruchas presents today's Pharmacology, Physiology, and Therapeutics seminar

Michael R. Bruchas, PhD, assistant professor in the Departments of Anesthesiology and Anatomy/Neurobiology at Washington University School of Medicine, will present a seminar titled "Biased signaling at opioid receptors: Mechanisms, circuits, and behavior" today at 2 p.m. in Room 3933 at the SMHS in Grand Forks.

This seminar is sponsored by the Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) Pathophysiological Signaling in Neurodegenerative Disorders and the Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Therapeutics.

All are welcome to attend.

Deb Kroese
Administrative Officer
Pharmacology, Physiology, and Therapeutics

End Points of Resuscitation is today's Surgery Grand Rounds Conference

Enej Gasevic, MD, associate program director and assistant professor of Surgery, will be presenting his talk titled “End Points of Resuscitation” from the Sanford Auditorium in Fargo today from 12:15 to 1 p.m.

The objectives of his talk are the following:

1. Define shock.
2. List goals of resuscitation.
3. Identify fluids/medication used in resuscitation.
4. List complications/pitfalls of resuscitation.

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

Pharmacology, Physiology, and Therapeutics seminar is May 25

Timothy J. Cunningham, PhD, professor in the Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy at Drexel University College of Medicine, will present a seminar titled "Monitoring and inhibition of secreted phospholipase A2 as therapy for Multiple Sclerosis and other neurodegenerative disorders" on Friday, May 25, at 2 p.m. in Room 3933 at the SMHS in Grand Forks.

This seminar is sponsored by the Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) Pathophysiological Signaling in Neurodegenerative Disorders and the Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Therapeutics. All are welcome to attend.

Deb Kroese
Administrative Officer
Pharmacology, Physiology, and Therapeutics

Register now for the 2012 Dakota Conference, May 30–June 1

Register for the 2012 Dakota Conference on Rural and Public Health. Read more

Free Mental Health First Aid Workshop is June 1–2

Mental Health First Aid is an interactive, 12-hour course that presents an overview of mental illness and substance use disorders in the United States. Participants will learn about risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems, as well as understand their impact and receive an overview of common treatments. Participants certified in Mental Health First Aid learn a five-step action plan encompassing the skills, resources, and knowledge to help an individual in crisis connect with appropriate professional, peer, social, and self-help care. Read more

Kristine Henke
Communications Coordinator
Center for Rural Health

Welcome reception for Joycelyn Dorscher and Raymond Goldsteen is June 5

UND Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences Joshua Wynne and Senior Associate Dean Gwen W. Halaas invite you to join them in welcoming Joycelyn Dorscher, MD, and Raymond Goldsteen, DrPH, to the School.

Dorscher is the new associate dean for Student Affairs and Admissions, and Goldsteen is the founding director of UND's Master of Public Health Program, a joint endeavor of North Dakota State University's College of Pharmacy, Nursing, and Allied Sciences and the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dr. Donald Warne directs the NDSU program. The reception is from 2 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, June 5, in the Vennes Atrium of the School. Everyone is welcome, and refreshments will be served.

Tweton honored with UND Meritorious Service Award

Phyllis Tweton, administrative assistant in the Office of Medical Education in Grand Forks, was honored with the prestigious Meritorious Service Award from the University of North Dakota at the 2012 Recognition Ceremony for Staff Personnel held on May 15. At the ceremony, Patricia Hanson, UND director of Human Resources, read the following citation about Phyllis's service to the students, faculty, and the School. 

The School of Medicine and Health Sciences recognizes the significant contribution Phyllis and other staff members make in helping the School educate physicians, health professionals, and scientists to serve North Dakotans and to discover knowledge that benefits the people of this state and enhances the quality of their lives. The following individuals were also formally recognized by the University during the annual ceremony. Read more

Johnson earns Kupchella Preventive Medicine and Wellness Award

Eric L. Johnson, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, has received the Charles E. Kupchella Preventive Medicine and Wellness Award. Read more

Eken garners Hippocratic Dignity Award

Randy S. Eken, MPA, associate dean for Administration and Finance at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, has received the Hippocratic Dignity Award. Read more

Quanrud and Irmen receive Humanism in Medicine Awards

Myra J. Quanrud, MD, clinical associate professor of pediatrics at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences Southeast Campus in Fargo, was honored with the prestigious Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Faculty Award at the medical school’s commencement on May 13. Christopher P. Irmen, MD, a 2012 UND medical school graduate, received the Tow award for graduating medical students. Read more

School of Medicine and Health Sciences recognizes volunteer faculty

The University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences presented the Dean’s Special Recognition Awards for Outstanding Volunteer Faculty to the following individuals during commencement ceremonies on May 13. Read more

Doctor of Medicine Class of 2012 Award Winners

Graduating medical students and faculty of the School were recognized at the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences M.D. Class of 2012 commencement awards ceremony on May 13. For a complete list of awardees, please read more

Fulbright Canada: Creating a Brighter Tomorrow

Traditional Fulbright Awards for American Students in Canada

Fulbright student awards to study in Canada are intended for graduate students, prospective graduate students, and promising young professionals who wish to enroll in a graduate studies program, continue their current course of graduate study or research, or pursue an independent research project for a period of nine months in Canada.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Program

The Fulbright Canada Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Award is a new initiative of Fulbright Canada, in cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada and six of Canda's leading research universities. The STEM award is a three-year award valued at some $120,000 (tuition, fees, and an annual stipend of $20,000).

Read more

Kenneth G. Ruit, PhD
Assistant Dean, Undergraduate and Graduate Education
Associate Professor, Anatomy and Cell Biology

2012 Faculty Loan Repayment Program application cycle is now open

The Faculty Loan Repayment Program (FLRP) supports health professions educators who are from disadvantaged backgrounds and serve a vital role in preparing the next generation of health care professionals. If you know any prospective applicants, or belong to an organization that would reach prospective applicants, please make them aware of the following:

• The FLRP will provide a lump sum, up to a maximum of $40,000, for a two-year service commitment. In addition, FLRP requires a funding match from the applicant’s health professions school, which helps program participants further reduce their educational debt.
• FLRP participants who have additional qualifying loans once their service commitment is complete may re-apply for another two-year contract in exchange for additional years of service.
• The financial assistance offered through FLRP decreases the economic barriers associated with pursuing a career as a health professions educator preparing the next generation of health professionals.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. EDT on June 12, 2012.  Please direct prospective applicants to the FLRP website for more information and to begin the application process.

Lynette Dickson, MS, RD, LRD
Associate Director, Center for Rural Health
Director, Area Health Education Center (AHEC)

North Dakota MPH accepting applications for founding class until June 30

The North Dakota Master of Public Health degree program is accepting applications for the founding class until June 30. North Dakota MPH is a graduate program offered jointly by the University of North Dakota (UND) and North Dakota State University (NDSU). At UND, students can concentrate in rural health, including rural health management, rural health research, rural population health, and rural health policy. There are many opportunities to develop skills within the rich academic environment at UND that can be used to improve public health. We invite you to submit your application.

Raymond L. Goldsteen, DrPH
Director, North Dakota MPH at UND
UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences
501 North Columbia Road, Stop 9037, Room 5131, Grand Forks, ND 58202-9037
raymond.goldsteen@med.und.edu, phone (701) 777-2375, fax (701) 777-0980

Social Media: Commencement and Sophomore Awards photos

View photos from the Commencement Awards this past Sunday and the Sophomore Awards last week on the SMHS Flickr page.

Dr. Wynne discusses knowing your ejection fraction in Monday's Health Matters column in the Grand Forks Herald; his column can be found in the Herald every other Monday and also on our Facebook page. 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: Conflict Resolution Center will explore political, public discourse at symposium

The Conflict Resolution Center will explore the current state of political and public discourse at its fifth annual “Symposia on Conflict Transformation” seminar May 21–25.

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

Library of the Health Sciences Hours for May 18–26—Special Studies

Library of the Health Sciences hours for May 18 through May 28 are the following:

• Friday, May 18—8 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Saturday, May 19—1 p.m.–5 p.m.
• Sunday, May 20—Closed
• Monday, May 21—8 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 22—8 a.m.–8 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 23—8 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Thursday, May 24—8 a.m.–8 p.m.

Memorial Day weekend

• Friday, May 25—8 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Saturday, May 26—1 p.m.–5 p.m. 
• Sunday, May 27—Closed
• Monday, May 28, Memorial Day—Closed 

Regular Summer hours resume Tuesday, May 29

• Sunday—Closed
• Monday—8 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Tuesday—8 a.m.–8 p.m.
• Wednesday—8 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Thursday—8 a.m.–8 p.m.
• Friday—8 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Saturday—1 p.m.–5 p.m.

If you have any questions, please contact Barb Knight, (701) 777-4129.

Corrine Iverson
Administrative Assistant
Library of the Health Sciences

Marcia Francis

     Southwest Clinical Campus Librarian

Marcia Francis has been hired as the Southwest Clinical Campus librarian for the Library of the Health Sciences. Her supervisor is Lila Pederson.

Billie Krush

     Director of Pharmacy

Billie Krush has been hired as the new director of Pharmacy at the Center for Family Medicine–Bismarck. Her supervisor is Dr. Jeffrey Hostetter.