Dear Colleague,

There were several celebrations this past weekend, the largest of which was the NightShine Gala Saturday evening to support Denver Health. James and Pamela Crowe, who are significant benefactors to Denver Health, were honorees and Art Gonzalez, Dr.P.H., who joined Denver Health and Hospitals Authority as CEO last September, was introduced. An auction raised a lot of money and Train performed. It was a terrific evening.  

Earlier that day, the Colorado Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics had its annual Spring Meeting in Golden and honored Steven Federico, MD, associate professor of pediatrics, with the James Strain Award for Distinguished Service.  At the lunch was Jim Strain himself, celebrating his 90th birthday.  Jim, who graduated in our Class of 1947, is retired from active pediatric practice, but still an active member of our School of Medicine Admissions Committee.  Congratulations to both Jim and Steve. 

Jonathan Bowser, MS, has been named director of the Child Health Associate/Physician Assistant Program. Jon has been serving admirably as the interim director and he emerged as the best candidate for the job after an extensive national search. Congratulations to Jon.

Jack Westfall, MD, MPH, has announced that he will be departing from the University of Colorado on May 17 to become director of health for the Colorado Health Cooperative. Jack joined the School of Medicine faculty in 1995 and most recently has been the director of the Colorado Area Health Education Center, a partnership between the University and community-based nonprofit AHEC offices. Jack describes the new opportunity as a dream job to start a nonprofit organization committed to healthy living and primary care throughout Colorado. I will be conferring with the Deans of the other Health Profession Schools and the six Regional Directors of our AHECs to develop a succession plan.

Applications for the associate dean of the School of Medicine’s Colorado Springs branch will soon be reviewed by the search committee overseeing the process. The associate dean is a 0.50 FTE position that requires significant experience in academic medicine and senior management. Those interested in applying can find details in the job posting.

The CUSOMMaintenance of Certification Portfolio Approval Program (CUSOM MOC PAP) helps our physicians who practice at University of Colorado Hospital, Children’s Hospital Colorado and in our SOM-based external sites of practice understand and meet their specific American Board of Medical Specialty’s requirements to demonstrate competency in quality improvement and receive MOC Part IV credit to maintain certification.  The CUSOM MOC PAP provides guidance on selecting, developing, and implementing quality-improvement projects and helps reduce the administrative burden for physicians to receive MOC Part IV credit. Contact Heather Hallman for more information.

David Olds, PhD, has been named the recipient of the Chase Faculty Community Service Award, which is recommended by a system-wide advisory council and bestowed by CU President Bruce Benson. The Chase award recognizes a full-time faculty member for exceptional service to the community. David is director of the Prevention Research Center for Family and Child Health and professor of pediatrics, psychiatry and nursing. Congratulations to David.

Allison Kempe, MD, MPH, professor of pediatrics and director of the Children’s Outcomes Research Program at Children’s Hospital Colorado, has been appointed to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Her term begins July 1. It’s yet another high-profile honor for Allison.

James Todd, MD, professor of pediatrics and microbiology, last week received a CDC Childhood Immunization Champion Award from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the CDC Foundation. James was noted for working on state laws that improve the quality and access to health care for children. Congratulations.

The Donor Memorial Ceremony was last Friday. Students paid their respects to those who donated their bodies for research and families of the donors shared remembrances of their loved ones. This is always a remarkable and moving event. This year was no exception.

The Health Sciences Library is offering a puppy break for those who are feeling stressed out. The “Paws Pause”is an appointment-only break from the routine to spend 20 minutes with a dog and its human handler.  The library is teaming with Pet Partners to offer these short breaks with some four-legged friends in an enclosed staff conference room on the first floor of the library. And for those who wonder about the effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy, the library has compiled a reading list.

Given how gorgeous the weather has been this past weekend and today, I suspect the next snow later this week will find it hard to stick around. Don’t plant any flowers yet….

Have a good week,

Richard D. Krugman, MD
Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs and
Dean, School of Medicine

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