aren Miller, RN, PhD, FAAN,

dean of the Schools of Nursing

and Allied Health, has been

appointed to serve on the

National Advisory Council

on Nurse Education and

Practice of the Health

Resources and Services

Administration. This four-

year appointment to the

advisory council, part of the

U.S. Department of Health

and Human Services (DHHS), is

effective immediately, and will run

through Jan. 31, 2004.

27 APRIL 2000 • VOLUME 2 • NUMBER 17

THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER

Karen Miller invited to serve onnational nursing advisory council

K In accepting the appointment, Dean

Miller becomes one of only 23 members

nationwide selected by

DHHS Secretary Donna

Shalala to be members of the

prestigious council.

The council advises and

makes recommendations to the

secretary of health and human

resources and Congress on

policy matters relating to

nursing, including workforce

issues, education and practice improvement.

The council may also make specific

recommendations regarding programs

Dean Miller

The Tele-KidCare project, a partnership

between KUMC Telemedicine Services and

the Kansas City, Kan., public schools, was

recently chosen to participate in the 2000

Computerworld Smithsonian Award Program.

Telemedicine Director and Associate

Professor of Clinical Oncology Gary

Doolittle, MD, represented KUMC at the

program, held in Washington, D.C., April 2-3.

The program recognizes outstanding

applications of information technology

throughout the world. Of 3,000 nominees,

Tele-KidCare was one of 444

organizations chosen to participate.

Research submitted by participants will

become part of the Smithsonian’s

permanent collection.

“We consider this a great honor

that reflects the dedication and hard

work of the pediatricians at KU Med,

the Kansas City, Kan., school nurses and

administrators, and the staff of KUMC’s

Center for TeleMedicine and Tele-

Health,” Dr. Doolittle said.

Tele-KidCare uses interactive

computer technology to allow children in

school nurses’ offices to communicate

with and be diagnosed by physicians in

the KU Med Pediatric Clinic.

administered by the Division of Nursing,

in order to enable legislation that enhances

public health through nursing. In

addition, the council functions in

conjunction with the Council on Graduate

Medical Education, the Advisory

Committee on Interdisciplinary

Community-Based Linkages, and the

Advisory Committee on Training in

Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry.

“This a wonderful opportunity not

only to help shape nursing education and

practice but also to represent both the

School of Nursing and the KU Medical

Center at the national level,” said Dean

Miller, who recently completed a term as

chair of the Executive Council for the

National Institute of Nursing Research’s

National Advisory Council.

Tele-KidCare program selected for Smithsonian award

degree. This program requires 18 months. Graduate requirements

include didactic course work, independent studies, a thesis, a

written comprehensive exam, and a field-based clinical practicum.

For more information, call ext. 8-6612, e-mail <nanesthe> or visit

the website www2.kumc.edu/SAH/

nurseanesthesia/.

Respiratory care requires strong

technical as well as strong people skills.

Registered respiratory therapists (RRT)

treat individuals suffering from disorders

affecting the cardiopulmonary system,

which range from chronic diseases such as

sleep apnea, asthma and occupational lung

disease to acute problems resulting from

pneumonia, traumatic injury and shock.

To earn a baccalaureate degree in respiratory care, students

must fulfill two years of liberal arts prerequisites and two years in

the professional program, including a summer session. In the

clinical specialty practicum during the senior year, students select

a concentration in adult critical care, pulmonary diagnostics,

pulmonary rehabilitation, polysomnography, management,

education, neonatal critical care or hyperbaric medicine. For more

information, call ext. 8-4630, e-mail <pmathews> or visit

www.kumc.edu/SAH/resp_care/.

2

Providing excellent medical and surgical care at KU Med and

other medical centers requires a true team effort. In addition to

surgeons and other health care professionals, the services of

dietitians, nurse anesthetists and respiratory therapists are often

central to the treatment of patients.

At KUMC, the School of Allied

Health prepares students for these

professions through three rigorous

education programs.

For those interested in becoming a

registered dietitian (RD), the graduate

programs offered by the Department of

Dietetics and Nutrition offer two degree

tracks: one for RDs who are interested in

advanced study in clinical dietetics, and one which includes a

dietetic internship with advanced study in clinical dietetics. Areas

in which students may conduct research include studies related to

food habits, dietary analysis, the impact of medical nutrition

therapy for various disorders and nutritional assessment.

Excellent opportunities for RDs exist in a variety of health

care settings. For more information, call ext. 8-7683, e-mail

<rbarkley>, or visit the web site kumc.edu/SAH/dietetics/.

Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA) are well

versed in the theory, techniques, and administration of anesthetic

agents. Nurse anesthetists administer anesthesia to surgical and

obstetrical patients, provide acute and chronic pain management,

and deliver support for the care and resuscitation of the critically

ill. The growing demand for anesthesia services has created a

wealth of employment opportunities for the nurse anesthetist as a

clinical practitioner.

Registered nurses with a baccalaureate degree can earn a

master’s degree in nurse anesthesia in a program that requires

30 months. The department also offers a master’s degree

completion program for practicing CRNAs with an undergraduate

Nutrition, nurse anesthesia, respiratory care offer vital services

Deborah Powell, MD, was treated to

a surprise celebration on April 14,

the third anniversary of her

appointment as executive dean of the

KU School of Medicine. Dr. Powell

was honored for her leadership with

a number of awards and gifts,

including a kinetic sculpture from

Women in Medicine (representing all

faculty), an inscribed trophy from

medical students and a KU scarf from

the dean’s office staff.

Respiratory Therapy Team Leader Greg Baker,

RRT, shows student Thy Dobnick how to adjust

a ventilator to increase patient comfort.

3

Admitting staff increases referring physician data collection

One of the keys to success at KU Med

is providing exceptional customer service to

patients, staff and medical professionals

throughout the community. With that

thought in mind, the hospital Admitting

Department began a concentrated effort last

year to gather more information about

incoming patients’ referring or primary care

physicians. The result: From May 1999

through March 2000, the Admitting

Department increased data collection by

26 percent.

Gathering data about referring

physicians when patients are first admitted

has a number of benefits for both referring

physicians and KU Med staff members.

Once gathered and entered into the

hospital’s SMS computer system, the

department generates a letter to the

referring physician advising when the

patient was admitted and how to contact the

attending physician. When the patient

is discharged, the Medical Record

Department sends a letter to the referring

physician summarizing the patient’s

treatment and status.

“Capturing more accurate and

complete data allows us to communicate

better to the physicians who refer their

patients to KU Med,” says Assistant

Director of Relational Marketing

Julie Amor.

“By keeping

referring

physicians

informed

about the

status of their

patients, we

can build

and maintain

better relationships between physicians

throughout the city and the state, and

our health care professionals at KU Med.

This ends up having positive effects for

the entire hospital.”

At the KU Allied Health Alumni Association annual

Spring Reception April 19, Stephanie Studenski, MD,

MPH, shown at left with Dean Karen Miller, RN,

PhD, FAAN, was selected Honorary Alumnus. Dr.

Studenski, professor of General and Geriatric

Medicine and director of the Center on Aging, was

honored for her efforts to forge new relationships

and strengthen interdisciplinary activity between the

School of Allied Health and the Center on Aging.

Richard Sahlfeld, with KU Med

President and CEO Irene

Cumming and Dean Miller, was

named the 2000 Allied Health

Distinguished Alumnus. Sahlfeld,

director of the Medical Record

Department, received a post-

baccalaureate degree in medical

record administration from

KU Medical Center in 1974.

The staff of the Comprehensive

Epilepsy Center recently received a

Certificate of Recognition from the

Epilepsy Circle of Support, a coalition of

groups which provide support and

information for epilepsy patients and their

family members. The center received the

award for its excellent patient care and

ongoing research into epilepsy treatment.

Researchers at the Epilepsy Center

are nationally known for their discovery of

a mathematical formula to predict the

onset of seizures. Recently, presenters at

the National Epilepsy Research

Conference cited this study as a

benchmark, one that is changing the

future of epilepsy research. The Epilepsy

Center’s latest project involves testing a

device that could be implanted in an

epileptic patient’s brain to warn them of

seizures in advance.

Members of the Admitting Department celebrated their success in

increasing data collection with a luncheon April 12. The department is led

by Manager Cheryl Taylor, fourth from left.

Epilepsy Center recognized

4

KUMC volunteers, staff members and

friends gathered in the Francisco

Lounge April 19 for the annual

Volunteer Recognition Luncheon.

Among those recognized for their

hours of service by Volunteer Services

Coordinator Marilyn Coup, right,

were Rosemary Yule, above left,

6,500 hours, Leroy

Stoll, 2,500 hours, and Connie Juno, 7,500

hours. Enjoying the festivities were KU

Med Sr. Vice President and COO Jon

Jackson, left, KU Hospital Authority Board

members Edward Chapman Jr. and Eric

Jager, and KU Med President and CEO

Irene Cumming.

KUMC employees and visitors

lined up to sample the goodies at

the KUMC Auxiliary bake sale

April 20. At left, Executive Vice

Chancellor Donald Hagen, MD,

and his wife Karen, a member of

the Auxiliary, purchased bedding

plants at the Auxiliary plant sale,

held the same day.

Front & Center

Craig Davis, left and Ron Valdiviez of

KONE Elevator review their progress

while hoisting the drive shaft to the

Number 17 elevator in the

Sudler Link last week. The

shaft was removed

to replace the ring

gear, shown at

front, and the

worm gear.

5

Patrice Delafontaine, MD, professor of

Medicine, Division of Cardiology at

Geneva University, presented a seminar

on “Insulin-Like Growth Factor I - From

Basic Research to Clinical Implications

for the Cardiologist” April 24 at KUMC.

Susan Mong of Volunteer

Services recently

announced that she

would resign her position

as senior coordinator of

Volunteer and

Ambassador Services.

Mong, who will stay

home to care for her

young children, will

officially leave KUMC

May 1.At the April 19 KUMC Interfaith meeting, the Rev. Gary Langston

of the Crystal Rainbow Chapel “smudged” participants with sage

in a spiritual purification ceremony. The ceremony followed the

Rev. Langston’s presentation “Connecting with the Heart,” which

explored the speaker’s personal quest to reclaim his Native

American heritage and his experiences in spiritual healing.

Scott Burk was one of several organ transplant recipients who

appeared at the Midwest Transplant Network display table during

National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week, April 16-22.

Burk was cured of a life-threatening kidney disease when he

received a donated kidney in 1994. The display was sponsored by

the KU Med Donor Advisory Council.

Eight-year-old Carson McMullen showed his cookie-decorating

skills April 18 at the annual Archway Cookie Party for children in the

Pediatric Pavilion. Archway Cookies is a national supporter of

Children’s Miracle Network (CMN). From May 1 through 27, the

company will donate a percentage of all cookie sales to CMN.

Upcoming events

April 28: KU School of Nursing

Senior Celebration, 6:30 p.m.-midnight,

Hyatt Regency Crown Center. Sponsored by

the Association of Undergraduate Students

in Nursing.

May 1-2: Community Outreach

Program (COP) Information Fair, 11 a.m.-

1 p.m., Stoland Lounge. Sponsored by COP

and the Department of Student Services.

For more information, e-mail Jennifer Day

at <JDAY>.

Jennifer Day, left, Sarah Searle,

Lindsey Wannamaker and

Robert Dary were among the

nine members of the Kansas

University Student Nurses (KUSN)

organization who attended the

National Student Nurses’

Association national convention

in Salt Lake City April 12-16.

At the convention, KUSN

received the Silver Circle Award

for membership.

6

Stage is set for May 6 Street FairSummer is approaching, and

KUMC will kick off the season with its

annual Street Fair,

sponsored by the

Student Governing

Council. The event

will be held

Saturday, May 6,

noon to 6 p.m., in the

blue and red parking lots at the corner

of 39th Street and Rainbow Boulevard.

As always, the fair is open to the public.

This year’s activities will include a

day-long entertainment stage with live

music, carnival games for children, a

NEWSstudent

First place winners of the Student Research Forum were invited

to give their presentations at the Sigma Xi April symposium, April

19. Pictured winners are Malaika Woods, School of Medicine

graduate student, left, Vicki Ross, School of Nursing, and

Michael Howard, School of Medicine medical student.

Debra Park, far right, was the second place winner for the

School of Allied Health. She presented at the Sigma Xi

symposium in the absence of first place winner Jennifer Kimberly.

moonwalk, face painting, rock climbing,

sumo wrestling, a pie throw and dunk

tank, arts and crafts

for sale, food from

area restaurants

and free blood

pressure screenings.

“This will be a

fun-filled event

that KUMC

students, faculty, and staff can bring

their family and friends to,” said Jason

Eppler, Student Governing Council

member and chair of the Street Fair

committee. “The entire Kansas

City community is also invited,

which should provide a unique

opportunity for us to interact with our

surrounding communities.”

In addition to being a fun, family-

oriented event, the Street Fair is a

fundraising project for two local

charities. All proceeds will go to the

Rose Brooks Women’s Shelter and City

Union Mission.

���

7

all games begin the week of May 28.

Available sports include co-ed softball

and co-ed sand volleyball. Players do

not have to belong to Kirmayer, but must

be eligible for membership. For more

information, call ext. 8-7706 or e-mail

<ahowle>.

Parking hearingThe KUMC Parking Committee will

hold its annual Public Hearing May 16 from

10 to 10:30 a.m. in Lied Auditorium.

Proposed changes to the Parking Policies

and Procedures that will be discussed at the

meeting can be found at kumc.edu/Pulse/

parking/proposed.html.

I scream, you screamGet ready to scream for ice cream on

the Dairy Queen “Million Dollar Day”

Saturday, May 6. On that day, Dairy Queen

will donate a percentage of all proceeds to

Children’s Miracle Network (CMN). Help

Dairy Queen help CMN by visiting the

Dairy Queen nearest you. A portion of all

funds raised locally for CMN benefit KU

Med pediatrics programs.

Preventing ViolenceThe University Human Resources

Department and the University Police

Department will present “Preventing

Violence in the Work Place” from 1 to

3 p.m., Thursday, May 11. The class is

free and open to University employees;

KU Med (hospital) employees must

obtain permission from their supervisors

to attend, as a fee is charged. The class

location will be announced. For more

information or to enroll, call ext. 8-5099.

KC READS grantThe KC READS literacy program

recently received $6,000 to purchase

books for children. The funds are part

of a $3.2 million grant from the State

of Kansas to the Kansas City, Kan.,

school district to promote literacy in

five of the district’s highest risk school

populations. KC READS is a grant

partner with the school district. It is the

only Reach Out and Read program in

the nation to successfully work in

collaboration with a school district to

obtain such funds.

Pediatrics SymposiumThe Department of Pediatrics,

KUMC Continuing Education and the

Kansas Chapter of the American

Academy of Pediatrics will sponsor the

2000 Annual Pediatrics Symposium on

May 5 in Lied Auditorium. The day-long

program is entitled “Issues for

Pediatricians and Other Health Care

Professionals.” For more information,

call ext. 8-4488, e-mail <ceinfo> or visit

the web site www.kuce.org/kumc.

Kirmayer programsLooking for a way

to stay in shape this

summer? Kirmayer

Fitness Center is

offering a variety of classes

and intramural sports programs. Summer

classes will begin Monday, May 8. Sign up

now for Yoga I/II (combined class), to be

held each Monday night, 5-6 p.m. Or join

the brand new NIA class, an eight-week

exercise in harmony of the mind, body and

spirit. Plus, Early Bird Registration for

summer intramurals will be May 8-19, and

visit us online at:http://www2.kumc.edu/publications/inthecenter/

FOR SALE:

Solid oak super single waterbed w/bookcase headboard,standard mattress replacement & original free flow watermattress included, exc. cond., $150. Call 913-897-0932.

Small kitchen table & 2 chairs, $75; 8-person SearsHilary tent w/2 rooms, used 3 times, $100. Call 913-599-3106 after 5 p.m.

Wooden swing set/play yard, climbing ropes & 2-level“fort” area, new $350, sell for $100 you haul, $200delivered & set up. Call 913-469-1229.

Real nice 27’ travel trailer, well maintained, sep.bedroom, bath, A/C & heat, eclectic hitch & power TVantenna. $4,000; 14’ alum. flat-bottom boat, 7.5 HP gasmotor, trolling motor & trailer, $750. Call 913-369-3752between 6-9 p.m.

Antique mirrors (3); Depression furniture (buffet, chinacabinet, dresser). Call 816-224-3599.

2 floor seat tickets for Tina Turner-Lionel RichieTwenty-Four Seven Tour, May 19 at Kemper, asking$158.50 face value. Call 913-469-1229.

“Little Tykes” outdoor activity set w/slide. Call 913-393-3669.

1979 Ranger 17’ boat, 150 HP Mercury Black Max, SS prop, t/m, new batteries & H-Bird finder w/speed &temp., w/trailer, ready to go, $3,500. Call 913-342-6758.

1970 fiberglass 16’ boat, bomber style, stick steering, 60s Chrysler 45 HP motor, new battery, t/m, w/trailer,runs, $800. Call 913-342-6758.

Ladies size large scrub pants, only worn 4 times, colorspurple, hot pink, turquoise, also 2 tops, button front, 1 solid pink, 1 multi-color, all mix & match, $10 ea. Call913-287-1184.

AUTOMOTIVE:

1991 Mazda MX-6 DX, 110K mi., exc. cond., $3,500.Call 913-441-5479.

1989 Pontiac 6000 LE, 4-dr., remote start/entry, loaded,A/C, 2 child car seats, great car, $1,800. Call 913-342-6758.

1991 125 street bike, blue, runs good, $500. Call 913-369-3752 between 6-9 p.m.

HOUSING:

For Rent: 4BD, 2BA house at Med Center, garage & offstreet parking, A/C, W/D hook ups, hardwood floors, nopets, $1,300/mo. Call 816-932-5539.

3901 RAINBOW BOULEVARD • KANSAS CITY, KS 66160 • (913) 588-5000 • WWW.KUMC.EDU

Friday, April 28:• Pediatrics Grand Rounds, “Adolescent

Victims of Sexual Assault: When ‘Just Say No’Doesn’t Work,” 8 a.m., Lied Auditorium.

• Psychiatry Grand Rounds,“Psychopharmacological Underpinnings ofAntipsychotic Action,” 10:30 a.m.-noon,Clendening Amphitheater.

• National Institutes of Health RoundtableCenterNet Broadcast, “MRI in the ER,” 11 a.m.-noon, Sudler Auditorium.

Monday, May 1:• Prostate Cancer Screenings, KU Med Cancer

Center, call ext. 1227 for appointment.

• Grief-Loss Support Group, 3-4 p.m.,Radiation Oncology Conference Room.

Tuesday, May 2:• Kansas Cancer Institute Research Round

Table, “Scott County Public Health Concerns: A Role for Agrimedicine,” noon, Lied Auditorium.

• Center on Aging Lecture, “The Effects ofExercise on Measures of Inflammation,Disease Activity and Aerobic Fitness AmongRheumatoid Arthritis Participants in EitherClass Exercise, Home Exercise or in a ControlGroup,” 4-5 p.m., Clendening Amphitheater.

Wednesday, May 3:• Outcomes Management and Research

Seminar, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Wahl West Auditorium.

• KUMC Interfaith, noon-1 p.m., 2023 Wescoe.

Thursday, May 4:• Interdisciplinary Research Seminar,

“Effective Recruitment Strategies for ClinicalTrials: The Kick it at Swope Experience,”7:30-8:30 a.m., G404 KU Med.

• School of Medicine Faculty Forum, 4-5 p.m.,Clendening Auditorium.

• “Long Term Management of Diabetes,” 7-8p.m., State Line Family Care, 7611 StateLine, Kansas City, Mo.

CLASSIFIEDS, ETC.CLASSIFIEDS, ETC. c o m i n g U P

Irene M. Cumming Donald Hagen, MDPresident and Executive Vice ChancellorChief Executive Officer University of KansasKU Med Medical Center

Ken Arnold, Editor

Ann Clemens, Graphic Designer

Jennifer Coates, Public Relations Specialist, Writer

IN THE CENTER, a weekly employee and student publication of

the University of Kansas and KU Med, is published by the KU Med

Public Relations and Marketing Department. Send story ideas to Ken

Arnold, G114 Hospital, or e-mail: <karnold> or call ext. 8-1298.

AD POLICY - Send or bring your ad to G114 KU Med, or fax to ext.

8-1225, or e-mail: <karnold> by noon Thursday of the week before it

is to run. Ads run free of charge for employees, students and volunteers.

For-sale ads are limited to three items. All ads must include the

advertiser’s name and work extension (or student box number) for

verification. Only home phone numbers–no pager numbers or work

extensions–will be published. Please include area code. No ads for

commercial services or pets for sale will be accepted. Ads will not be

taken by telephone. Only one phone number per ad. Ads may be held

a week if space is limited.

For Rent: 3 BD, 1BA house, deck & patio, allappliances incl. washer/dryer, 2 car attachedgarage/double lot, no pets, great location, 7550Booth Drive in Prairie Village (just off 75th &State Line) 10 min. from KUMC, 1 block from a 24 hr. HyVee, avail. June 1, $830/mo. Call 913-642-7854 for more info. or to schedule a time to see.

For Rent: 2BD house near Swope Park, close tobus line & schools, avail. May 1, $350/mo.,w/deposit. Call 816-916-6979, leave message.

For Rent: Sharehome, within walking distance ofKUMC, 4138 Springfield, need single roommate,central A/C & heat, mostly furn., washer/dryer,avail. immediately, $300/mo. plus 1/3 utilities. Call 816-468-5411.

WANTED:

Summer nanny, May 30-July 31, M-F , 7:15 a.m.-5:30 p.m., 3 children (13, 10, & 6), in my home inOverland Park, must have own vehicle, salarynegotiable. Call Dawn, 913-685-4346.

Ride, near downtown KC, Kan., to arrive at KUMC6-6:30 a.m. Call 913-281-1078 after 5:30 p.m.