May 9, 2008 | Archive

Topics at a glance: O'Neill named to UT Academy of Health Science Education … Town Hall Meeting Friday with sole finalist for UTHSC president … Nominations sought for University Classified Staff Council … CDF collecting items for U.S. soldiers: July 4 delivery planned … DDS seniors first to critically appraise systematic reviews at Dental Materials Course … Students: Two wheels are cheaper than four … UTDB students' essay on dental care after stroke wins award

O'Neill named to UT Academy of Health Science Education

The University of Texas Academy of Health Science Education has selected Paula N. O'Neill, Ed.D. as one of 12 new members elected at the Academy's April 17 meeting in Austin. O'Neill is associate dean for educational research and professional development and a professor in the Department of Diagnostic Sciences at the UT Dental Branch.

In making the announcement, Academy President Susan M. Cox, M.D., noted that O'Neill was selected from a strong group of 41 applicants in "recognition of your excellent contributions to health science education." O'Neill will be formally recognized as a member at the Academy's annual meeting in October.

Nominations for membership in the Academy may come from the president, dean or vice-dean and the faculty senate at each University of Texas health science campus. To be considered for admission, educators must exhibit outstanding performance in categories of excellence in teaching that include, but are not limited to:

• Direct teaching;
• Curriculum development, instructional design or re-design, and assessment of learner performance;
• Counseling and mentorship;
• Educational administration and leadership;
• Educational scholarship and research.

For more information on the Academy, visit their Web site.

Larry Kaiser, M.D., finalist for UTHSC president.

Town Hall Meeting Friday with sole finalist
for UTHSC president

Larry Kaiser, M.D., sole finalist for president of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, will be introduced to the UTHSC community by Kenneth Shine, M.D., interim chancellor of the UT System, at a Town Hall meeting at 10 a.m. Friday, May 9. TheTown Hall will be held in the atrium of the Fayez S. Sarofim Building of The UT Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases. The event is open to all UT employees, who are encouraged to attend.

The Fayez S. Sarofim Building is located at 1825 Pressler Street, beside the UCT building.

UTDB students' essay on dental care after stroke wins award

Dental hygiene students Jana Mannen and Phuong Tran submitted an essay to Special Care in Dentistry for the Elfenbaum-Kamen Essay Award Contest. The topics were to address geriatric dental management issues or future research possibilities. Mannen and Tran won third place and will receive a $200 prize. The essay will be submitted for publication as well. The students completed the project on oral care for stroke patients at The Methodist Hospital and also participated in the Interdisciplinary Health Care Competition on elder abuse/neglect.

CDF collecting items
for U.S. soldiers:

July 4 delivery planned

The Christian Dental Fellowship is collecting donations for the "Support a Soldier" drive. A box is set up in the Student Lounge in the Dental Branch basement. Items will be collected through Wednesday, June 11, and shipped to arrive by July 4. The Christian Dental Fellowship has provided a list of suggested items to donate. Got questions, comments or suggestions? Contact Vickie Martinez, CDF student director.

Students:

Two wheels are cheaper than four

KTRK-TV Channel 13's Laura Whitley interviewed two UT Dental Branch students regarding their transportation to school for an April 30 story about the increased sales of motor scooters in Houston due to rising gas prices. View the full story on the KTRK Website.

DDS seniors first to critically appraise systematic reviews
at Dental Materials Course

The graduating senior class at the UT Dental Branch was asked to appraise Cochrane and other systematic reviews of clinical relevance as part of the evaluation at the Biomaterial IV course. Students used an appraisal tool called CASP (Critical Appraisal Skills Programme) to help with the process of critically appraising the research articles. This tool for systematic appraisal and analysis is available at www.phry.nhs.uk and is used by leading medical institutions and private practitioners worldwide.

Cynthia Trajtenberg, D.D.S., assistant professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials, was the course director. She said the class showed enthusiasm and dedication for this first time-ever assignment, excelling in the quality of the appraisals. Evidence-based dentistry teaching is of paramount importance in the dental contemporary curriculum.

Nominations sought for University Classified Staff Council

The University Classified Staff Council (UCSC) elects representatives from UTHSC schools and institutes each spring. The UCSC needs dedicated and motivated members on the Council. If you would like to be a UCSC representative or would like to nominate someone else, complete this form and return it by May 31. Please note that the UCSC bylaws require that each member must be a full-time classified employee who has fulfilled the obligations of his/her probationary employment period. For more information, visit the UCSC Website.