Dr. Anthony selected as AMA representative to Congressional Health Disparities Brain Trust
Renaisa Anthony M.D., deputy director of the Center for Reducing Health Disparities, was selected by the American Medical Association (AMA) as an AMA representative for the 15th Annual Congressional Health Disparities Brain Trust in Washington, D.C. The Health Disparities Brain Trust convenes thought leaders and health professionals committed to eradicating health disparities to the nation’s capitol to discuss the current state of disparities and identify solutions. Congressional leaders are briefed on policy recommendations to accomplish Healthy People 2020 goals to “eliminate health disparities, achieve health equity and improve the health of all.” The Surgeon General of the United States, Vice Admiral Vivek Murthy, M.D., was the Brain Trust’s 2015 honoree for his commitment to health equity.
Muhammad Hassan, M.D. (right), a clinical research fellow in the Ocular Imaging Research and Reading Center (OIRRC) of the Truhlsen Eye Institute at UNMC, is pictured obtaining an image of the optic nerve and retina of John MacBean, an employee for Union Pacific Railroad.
UNMC, UP partner on clinic
Several employees of the Truhlsen Eye Institute and the UNMC Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences participated in the April 17 health fair, which was held at the Union Pacific Railroad’s Harriman Dispatching Center in Omaha.
UNMC provided free screenings for glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and eye problems related to diabetes. More than 80 Union Pacific employees and their family members underwent screenings.
“This was a wonderful outreach event for the Truhlsen Eye Institute,” said Yasir Sepah, M.B.B.S., director of the OIRRC at TEI. “We were able to identify several serious cases of ocular diseases, including one with a retinal detachment which required immediate care on the same day of the screen, as well as other cases that needed attention within one to two months.
“It was a great opportunity for us to help people in the community and demonstrate what a valuable resource the Truhlsen Eye Institute is for the city of Omaha and the state of Nebraska.”
Grogan to join Daugherty advisory search committee
Bruce Grogan, associate director of the Center for Global Health & Development in the College of Public Health, will be a member of the advisory committee assisting in an international search for the next executive director of the Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Institute. The next director will succeed founding executive director Roberto Lenton, who in February announced his intention to step down by early 2016 after serving in the role since 2012. The committee includes representatives from all four University of Nebraska campuses as well as external stakeholders.
New grant program aims to aid early-career scientists
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), and its philanthropic partners, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Simons Foundation, have launched the Faculty Scholars Program, a new $148 million national initiative to provide research support to outstanding early-career academic scientists in the U.S. The three organizations will award a total of up to 70 grants every two-and-a-half years to promising scientists who have the potential to make unique contributions in their field. Each grant is for five years and will range from $100,000 to $400,000 per year, based on external funding and need. The awardee’s institution will be given an additional 20 percent of the yearly grant for indirect (or administrative) costs. For more information about the Faculty Scholars Program — including eligibility details — click here.
College of Nursing efforts recognized at MNRS event
Nursing student Ko Nitsu took second place in the Ph.D. student posters category at the Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS) meeting. His advisor is Julia Houfek, Ph.D. The UNMC College of Nursing was well represented by faculty and students at the event. In addition, Bernice Yates, Ph.D., and her co-authors were recognized for having received the 2014 Best Paper award from the Western Journal of Nursing Research. The College of Nursing also received an honorable mention in the MNRS Foundation fund raiser raffle to support nursing research.
August date set for new student barbecue
The Office of Recruitment and Student Engagement will hold its barbecue for new students on Aug. 23 at the Ruth & Bill Scott Student Plaza on the UNMC campus. The event will feature entertainment by Big Canvas Improv and jazz by the Darryl White Group. Food will be provided by 402 BBQ and Jo-On-the-Go.
Renaisa,
Congratulations!
Carol Russell