ANNOUNCEMENTS

"Go-Live" Date for New IRBNet is September 8, 2009

IRB Submission Process Will Change During the Transition

The new IRBNet system—scheduled to "go-live" on September 8—brings the BMC researcher community the convenience of fully electronic submission and review.

IRB Office Closed During Data Transfer

Data transfer between the two systems is scheduled for August 29, after which the current system should not be used to enter any new information. It is anticipated that the IRB office will be closed from August 29 to September 7 to finalize the transfer. Items that are normally required to be submitted within a 5-business day time frame will be granted an automatic extension during this period.

IRB Submissions During the Transition

• Starting July 16, 2009 submissions of new full-board studies will be returned to the PI for entry into the new IRBNet system in September. The new system features more comprehensive forms designed to help Baystate achieve the goal of AAHRPP accreditation by next year.

• Through August 3, 2009 submissions of new studies for expedited review, continuing reviews, amendments, and informational items will continue to be accepted.

• Between August 4 - September 8, the IRB will only accept amendments, continuing reviews, and other items that are time-sensitive such as amendments to a protocol that require rapid implementation for the safety of subjects.

• Starting September 8, all protocols (including revisions and renewals) must be submitted electronically via IRBNet.

Training for all users will occur during the month of August.  E-mail updates will continue to be provided as details become available.

Annual Introduction to Research Sessions Starts September 14

Open to All Fellows

Baystate content experts will present research-related topics, such as "Introduction to Research Design" and "Informed Consent." For more details, see September calendar on Events page

Tufts Resouces Support Faculty Teaching Endeavors

Tufts Office of Educational Affairs offers a variety of resources for residency and clerkship program directors and department chairs, such as:

• their series of faculty development workshops for AY2009-2020 that is based on results from a recent faculty development needs assessment.

• the TUSK Faculty Development Course website (TUSK log-in is required) that consists of handouts, videotapes of their last year’s series of workshop, as well as videotapes of TUSM's best teaching practices. New materials will be uploaded into this educational repository. Contact Maria Blanco (see below) with your ideas.

• individualized assistance to support your teaching endeavors, including teaching and evaluation challenges/strategies.

For more information or to discussion specific needs, contact Maria Blanco EdD, Assistant Dean for Faculty Development.

Baystate Health Sciences Library Book Sale

20% Off Most Titles

On Tuesday August 18 from 4-6pm the Baystate Book Fair will be held in Chestnut 4.  Browse and buy medical titles from Elsevier, Lippincott, Saunders, Mosby, McGraw-Hill, Springer, Thieme and more. Credit Cards are accepted. 

Take this opportunity to:

• Review the latest books

• Build your personal medical reference library

• Save 20% on most titles

Research Week 2009 Videos Now Available on eWorkplace

Flash videos of this year's two keynote speakers, Dr. David Goodman and Dr. Robert Sternberg, can be viewed on the Research Week page on eWorkplace. Each video is approximately 1 hour.

Continuing Education Updates

Baystate Health's New Continuing Education Evaluation Form

The new evaluation form is used to:

• generate outcomes data

• track continuing education course attendance

• update the on-line continuing education transcript Baystate maintains for you at baystatehealth.org/learn.

There is a video demonstrating how to complete it correctly.

Grand Rounds and Lectures Now Listed in Course Catalogue

Baystate-sponsored grand rounds and lectures can be searched in Continuing Education's electronic catalog by month, topic/subject or keyword.

Research Incubator Fund Call for Proposals

Letter of Intent Due October 5

The goal of this Fund is to provide support to encourage research by BMERF and BH physicians with the intent of securing external funding. Initial funding of projects approved in this next cycle begins in early 2010.

Key financial support for this endeavor has been committed by BMERF, the Office of Academic Affairs, SAS, BRI, and WNERTA. Grants are awarded for up to 3 years with rigorous mandatory annual review focused on progress towards stated goals. Total anticipated Year One disbursement is $100,000-$150,000 total with $20,000-$50,000 per grant.

Interested investigators should visit the Research Incubator Fund page on Academic Affairs' eWorkplace site.