ANNOUNCEMENTS

Drs. Maura Brennan and Sandra Bellantonio Appointed Co-chairs of New American Geriatrics Society Education Sub-committee on Resident Recruitment

Plan to Work with Other Sub-committee Members to Enhance Regional and National Residents Programs

Created by the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) in late September, the purpose of the new subcommittee is to focus efforts on residency recruitment into geriatrics. This initiative is crucial to the survival of the field since the number of certified geriatricians has declined in recent years despite the aging of our population.

The appointment of Drs. Brennan and Bellantonio recognizes the strong role that the geriatrics section at Baystate has played nationally since 2005 in increasing residents' visibility in AGS.

Dr. Brennan has led an informal task force of faculty and residents that over the past 2 1/2 years has worked to secure funding, plan for national meetings, develop the AGS website, spearhead mentoring programs and establish AGS chapters in individual residency programs. Baystate formed the first such chapter this year. Dr. Bellantonio is the faculty advisor to the Residents' Special Interest Group at AGS and heads the task force working on expanding mentoring programs for residents. A number of Baystate residents have been appointed to working groups and also are taking a leadership role within AGS on the recruitment issue.

October 12th is Deadline to Submit Letter of Intent to Baystate Health Research Incubator Fund

The application process is in two-stages, with a brief initial Letter of Intent (LOI) followed by a full proposal for those with approved LOIs.

• October 12: Brief (1-2 page) Letter of Intent (LOI) due

• October 15-31: Committee review of LOI (Go / No Go decision)

• November 1: Applicants with approved LOIs notified

• December 1: Complete proposal due (5-8 pages, plus documentation)

• December: Committee review of proposal

• January 1: Approval and funding initiated

Interested investigators should visit the Academic Affairs intranet site.

Baystate Medical Center Inpatient Pharmacy Receives the Massachusetts Health System Pharmacy of the Year Award

The BMC Inpatient Pharmacy recently received the Massachusetts Health System Pharmacy of the Year Award from the Massachusetts Society of Health Systems Pharmacists for their innovative, collaborative, medication safety-grounded Line of Sight initiative, and for reducing dispensing events in the Pharmacy Department.

A multi-disciplinary team of Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacists comprised of a strategic cross-section of staff from different shifts and locations have been meeting since late 2006 for the purpose of actively engaging front line staff in problem-solving, making their ideas count, and following through on ideas to improve work processes. Team members include:

• Gary Kerr, PharmD, Director of Pharmacy Services, BH

• Sean Illig, PharmD, Supervisor-Operations

• Mark Heelon, PharmD, Medication Safety Pharmacist

• Aaron Michelucci, PharmD, Assistant Director of Clinical Pharmacy Services

• Brian Joao, RPh, Oncology

• Patricia Mello, PharmD, Pharmacist-Evenings

• Robin Gardner, RPh, Pharmacist-Days

• Kimberly Ulrick, Technician-Evenings

• David Glista, Technician-Days

• Jason Kulp, BS, RPh, Pharmacist-Per Diem

The Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in American Medicine (ELAM) Program for Women

Applications for the 2008-09 Class Being Acccepted Between November 1, 2007 and January 31, 2008

ELAM's year-long program develops the professional and personal skills required to lead and manage successfully in today's complex healthcare environment, with special attention to the unique challenges facing women in leadership positions.

ELAM is the nation's only in-depth program focused on preparing senior women faculty at schools of medicine, dentistry and public health to move into positions of institutional leadership where they can effect positive change.

For more information visit ELAM!

Russo Grant Applications Due to Tufts University School of Medicine by November 15

Individual Awards Historically Range From $15,000 - $20,000

Tufts University School of Medicine (TUSM) is soliciting proposals for Russo Trust funding that will lead to an application to the NIH for a new DUAL-INVESTIGATOR GRANT APPLICATION. Proposals must involve two equal Principal Investigators. Support of research assistants, purchase of equipment and supplies, and sponsorship of working retreats are eligible for such funding on a competitive basis. In most circumstances, salary for new personnel is not supported and PI salary cannot be supported from these funds.

All Tufts University School of Medicine faculty may apply provided that the collaboration involves at least one faculty member based in the Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences on the downtown Tufts University School of Medicine campus.

Applications are available by emailing the TUSM Dean's office and must be received by Thursday November 15, 2007.