ANNOUNCEMENTS

Academic Affairs Announces Office Relocations

• Continuing Education Office moved in February to the Baystate Health Education Center at 361 Whitney Avenue in Holyoke.

• Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Education Offices (Graduate and Undergraduate Medical Education, and Allied Health) are moving effective March 31 to 280 Chestnut.

• Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA) Office will move early this summer to 280 Chestnut.

Nominations for the Annual Award for Outstanding Achievements in Clinical Research Due April 4, 2008

Research Assistants, Regulatory Specialists, Coordinators and Managers Are Eligible

The "Award for Outstanding Achievements in Clinical Research" recognizes the outstanding contribution of a research staff member to either the conduct of clinical research within Baystate (systems contribution) or to the field (regional or national recognition).  It is awarded to a research staff member who not only excels at his or her own job performance, but makes a larger contribution to research by either recognizing and taking action to solve systems issues that impact the conduct of clinical research at Baystate or by demonstrating their knowledge, leadership, and skills at a regional or national level.

Nominating Process

Submit nominations for this award by April 4th to HRPP Integrity and Education Manager,  Karen Christianson, RN, CCRP. Nominations should include the name, title, division of the nominee as well as a narrative description of rationale for the nomination.  Nominees will be asked to provide a current CV and other background materials as appropriate. 

The award will be announced during Research Week by the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs..

Call For Nominations for TUSM Standing Committees Due April 11, 2008

Tufts University School of Medicine is preparing to nominate faculty members for election to the following committees:

* At level of Professor or Associate Professor only.

Faculty who may be interested in standing for election to one of the Standing Committees can:

• Download descriptions of each standing committee.

• Download TUSM's required format for biographical information relating to their background and prior involvement with TUSM, and send to Mary Broderick, Office of Medical Dean (or FAX 617-636-0375. Please do not send CVs. This biographical information will be distributed to the entire faculty at the time of the election later this spring.

9th Annual Baystate Research Week May 20 - 23, 2008

Abstract Submission Deadline is Friday, April 11th

The Keynote Speaker is David C. Leach, MD, former Executive Director of the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), who will speak at noon on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 in Chestnut 1. 

During Research Week, poster presentations are on display throughout the Chestnut Conference Center. Please visit, learn, and recognize the breadth of scholarly activities of our residents and fellows and some of the contributions by Baystate Medical Center investigators to the field of medicine.

To Submit Abstracts

Research Week abstracts may be submitted through your Program's Education Coordinator or electronically by using the Research Week 2008 Abstract Submission Form.

Poster Requirements

Posters must be attached to foam board for display at Research Week. Foam board and easels will be available. A good vendor for poster printing is www.postersession.com.

If you have any questions, please contact Kristi McLeod at 4-4466 or Kristi.McLeod@bhs.org.

Nominations for the 10th Annual Schwartz Center Compassionate Caregiver Award Due April 18, 2008

The prestigious "Compasionate Caregiver Award" honors Massachusetts caregivers who display extraordinary compassion in caring for patients. The winner will receive $5,000 and four finalists will receive $1,000 each.

The Schwartz Center will present the award at its annual dinner on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in South Boston.  This distinguished award honors Kenneth B. Schwartz, the Center's founder.  For more information visit www.theschwartzcenter.org or call 617-726-0512.

Principal Investigators Encouraged to Attend Institutional Review Board (IRB) Meetings

Principal Investigators and Co-Investigators (Sub-Investigators) are always welcome to attend the IRB meeting where their proposal is reviewed, either initially or for continuing approval. Attending wll allow you to address questions and concerns as they are discussed by the IRB. The additional information that only you can provide could affect the action the IRB takes on your study at that meeting. IRB staff can provide the date of the IRB meeting and approximate time when your study is expected to be presented. (Investigators are not permitted to remain after the question-and-answer period or during the vote on their proposals.)

Others Involved in Research May Also Attend IRB Meetings

Investigators, research coordinators, and others participating in research at Baystate may improve their understanding of the review and oversight process by attending IRB meetings. Attendance is especially recommended for new investigators, research coordinators, residents and fellows, and others who are learning the oversight process. (Recusal during review of any study in which you are involved is required.) Contact IRB staff to arrange this type of visit.

IRB Meeting Days & Locations

The 2 IRB meetings are held monthly on:

• the 2nd Wednesday at 7:30—9:00 am in the North Admin Conference Room

• the 4th Monday at 3:00—5:00 pm in the Chicopee/Agawam Room.