Dear colleague: 

Last Monday and Tuesday, the School of Medicine conducted a mock site visit in preparation for the visit in March by our accrediting body, the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). We had two experienced leaders from other schools of medicine – one from Tulane University and the other from University of California, San Francisco – run two days of interviews with the representatives of the School who will be meeting with the evaluation team from the LCME. Bob Anderson, MD, senior associate dean for education, has been working with teams of faculty, staff and students, for more than 18 months analyzing data and writing reports that have already been submitted to the LCME. The LCME accreditation process occurs every eight years and is designed to certify that medical education programs meet proscribed standards. We are now in the final stretch of this critical evaluation process, with face-to-face interviews on campus by the LCME. I appreciate the hard work and dedication of everyone involved. Last week’s rehearsal sessions have helped us identify some final preparations we need to make before the LCME visit March 5-8. If Bob contacts you, please make time to meet with him. 

The University of Colorado Cancer Center has announced two new senior leaders: James DeGregori, PhD, as deputy director, and Heide Ford, PhD, as associate director for basic research. James is a professor of biochemistry and molecular genetics and he holds the Courtenay C. and Lucy Patten Davis Endowed Chair in Lung Cancer Research. He had been associate director for basic research and oversaw multiple shared resources for the Cancer Center. Heide is a professor of pharmacology. Both assume their new roles Wednesday, Feb. 1. 

Denver Health and Hospital Authority on Friday announced that Robin Wittenstein, EdD, is the finalist for the Chief Executive Officer position. Robin is currently an executive leader at Penn State Health, a network of more than a dozen clinical and academic affiliate hospitals across central Pennsylvania. Previously, she served as president and CEO of University Hospital/University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, a 519-bed academic medical center. Robin brings seasoned executive experience with large health care systems and safety net institutions and she has a strong commitment to education. She is currently a co-principal investigator on a $1 million American Medical Association grant for “Accelerating Change in Medical Education.” 

Jane E.-B. Reusch, MD, professor of medicine and biochemistry, has been named president-elect, medicine and science, of the American Diabetes Association. Jane is also associate director of the Center for Women’s Health Research and she leads the Diabetes Care Team at the Denver VA Medical Center. Jane has been a volunteer with the association for more than 25 years, serving on the association’s Research Policy and Finance Committees as well as the 2012 Scientific Sessions Meeting Planning Committee. 

The University of Colorado Hospital Medical Staff held its annual awards dinner on Thursday, Jan. 26. The awards recognize many of our faculty colleagues for their excellent work and contributions to the success of the hospital and our School. This year’s President’s Award for Leadership was shared by Randall B. Meacham, MD, professor and chief of urology in the Department of Surgery, and Patrick P. Kneeland, MD, medical director for patient and provider experience and assistant professor of medicine. The Full-Time Physician of the Year was Suzanne L. Brandenburg, MD, professor of medicine. Congratulations to all 18 award recipients and thank you for your contributions to our success. 

The CU Advocacy Day at the Capitol is Tuesday, Jan. 31. The event, organized by the CU Advocates program, is an annual event to raise awareness among elected leaders of the University’s contributions to the state. This year, Gov. John Hickenlooper and Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne will be among the officials meeting with the CU Advocates. The events, which include a preview of potential legislation that could affect CU and higher education, begin at 3 p.m. in the Old Supreme Court Chambers on the second floor of the statehouse. Online registration is available for those who wish to attend. 

The Aurora History Museum recently opened an exhibit, “Celebrating Colorado: Women in STEM,” that features 28 inductees to the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame for their influence on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and five contemporary women in Aurora who are making contributions to those disciplines. Wendy Madigosky, MD, MSPH, director of the Foundations of Doctoring curriculum and associate professor of family medicine, is one of the five contemporary women working in STEM who is featured. The exhibit runs through March 12. 

The University of Colorado Hospital Foundation’s Hearts of All Ages fundraiser was held on Saturday, Jan. 28. The event supports a different hospital department each year. This year, the foundation honored the hospital’s Trauma Center and Burn Center. The gala raises funds for a worthy cause and, as a family-friend event, introduces children to the importance of generosity and compassion. 

The School of Medicine’s Mentored Scholarly Activity (MSA) course director and associate directors are seeking faculty volunteers to judge the MSA Capstone event on Thursday, March 2. The MSA project is a four-year requirement for all undergraduate medical students and this event will recognize the Class of 2017. The project culminates in a capstone presentation prior to graduation. The goal of the MSA curriculum is to foster self-directed, life-long learning over the course of the medical student career. Poster areas to include: basic science, bioethics, humanities, arts and education, clinical science, global health, public health and epidemiology. Registration begins at noon. There are three sessions: Session 1:  1 p.m. to 2 p.m.; Session 2:  2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.; and Session 3:  3:35 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sign up through this link to participate as a judge in one or all sessions. For additional information, visit the website. If you have any questions, please email: SOM.MSA@ucdenver.edu.  

The University of Colorado and Colorado Mesa University have announced that applications to attend the Colorado Capital Conference on June 21-23 are being accepted. The conference gives Colorado residents an opportunity to better understand the federal legislative process by meeting members of Congress, the President’s cabinet and other leaders in Washington, D.C. U.S. Sens. Cory Gardner and Michael Bennet are hosts of the event. Participants representing a diverse cross-section of the state are selected through the application process. All applications are due by March 27. Conference participants will be announced no later than April 7. Participants are responsible for their own accommodations, which are available at a group rate, and airfare. There is a $375 registration fee, which covers most meals and conference materials. For more information on the conference or to apply, visit Colorado Capital Conference website or call 970-623-9388. 

A memorial service for Randal Ross, MD, professor of psychiatry, who died in December 2016, is scheduled for 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27, in Shore Auditorium, Nighthorse Campbell Building. Randy died after an accident at his home. He is survived by his wife, Melissa Rogers, and his three children, Samantha, Anne and Carl. Randy joined the School’s Department of Psychiatry in 1993 and distinguished himself as a passionate supporter of young investigators as Director of Research and Research Training in the Department of Psychiatry and as developer of the School’s Medical Student Research Track. Randy will be remembered as a skilled clinician, teacher and researcher. 

Have a good week,

John J. Reilly, Jr., MD
Richard D. Krugman Endowed Chair
Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs and
Dean, School of Medicine