News Briefs

Associate Dean Ebadi Announces Retirement

Carlson Named Kaess Professor of Anatomy

and Cell Biology

Jeno Serves on NCAA Committee

New Web Site a Gateway to Rural Health Research

Federal Health Panel Praises UND

UND Physician Assistant Class of 2008 Receive

White Coats

Lindquist Receives Award

Hill Receives Saiki Prize for Teaching Excellence

National Advisory Council Meeting Held on Campus

Nominations Invited for ‘Humanism in Medicine’ Award

Associate Dean Ebadi Announces Retirement

Manuchair (Mike) Ebadi, Ph.D., associate dean for research and program development at the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, has announced his plans to retire, effective June 30, culminating a 40-year career in academic medicine.

He is director of the Center of Excellence in Neuroscience and Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor of Pharmacology and of Clinical Neuroscience and also holds the titles, senior advisor to the president and associate vice president for medical research.

“We wish to thank Dr. Ebadi for his many contributions to the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences,” said Dean H. David Wilson, M.D.  “They have been magnificent and magnanimous.”

Ebadi also has established awards to recognize outstanding contributions to the field of neuroscience research (Dean H. David Wilson, M.D., Academic Award in Neurosciences), teaching (Hippocratic Dignity Award), and health promotion (Charles E. Kupchella Preventive Medicine and Wellness Award).

Under Ebadi’s leadership, the research enterprise at the UND medical school has increased sixfold and is due, in large part, to recruitment and support of talented researchers, Wilson said.  This year, awards for grants and contracts totaled nearly $20 million, primarily from federal sources, placing the school among the top entities in terms of research activity in the state. 

Since 1999, Ebadi has served the UND medical school as administrator, faculty member and researcher. An authority in the field of Parkinson’s disease, he has written ten books on subjects related to his field of study, one of which has been translated into Japanese and one into Chinese.  He also wrote a reference book on pharmacology, the study of drugs.

He and his colleagues investigate the nature and underlying causes of Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases, as well as drug addiction.  A fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacology, he conducts research funded by the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS), the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the Office of National Drug Control Policy which support health-related studies.

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Carlson Named Kaess Professor of Anatomy

and Cell Biology

Edward Carlson, Ph.D. (Anatomy ’70), chairman and Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor at the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, has been named as the first Dr. Karl and Carolyn Kaess Professor of Anatomy and Cell Biology.

The professorship was created with a significant gift from Carolyn Kaess of San Diego and her husband, the late Karl Kaess, M.D., a 1938 graduate of the UND medical school. It is the second professorship established with a major endowment to support the school.

Dr. and Mrs. Kaess chose to endow the professorship in anatomy because of their esteem for Dr. Harley French, an exceptionally gifted professor who served as anatomy department chairman as well as dean of the medical school for 37 years, ending in 1948.

“We are sincerely grateful to Dr. and Mrs. Karl Kaess for their remarkable generosity,” said Carlson. “Their gift will directly impact my teaching and research career and benefit our department for years to come.”

Professor Carlson, who has served as chairman of the anatomy and cell biology department since 1981, is respected as an award-winning educator, a highly effective administrator and a creative investigator. His work has centered on the morphometric analysis of cellular and extracellular ultra-structure, especially as applied to models of diabetic retinal and kidney ailments. Results of his research, represented by more than 180 papers and abstracts, have been widely published. In May 2006, he received the highest faculty honor bestowed by UND, the title Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor.

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Jeno Serves on NCAA Committee

Sue Jeno, Ph.D. (Anatomy ’99), PT, assistant professor of physical therapy, Grand Forks, is serving as UND’s Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR) to the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA).

Established in 1989, the NCAA’s FARs serve as one of the links between the NCAA and its member campuses.  FARs monitor the academic integrity of athletic programs, the athletic performance of student-athletes, and the student-athlete experience.  They also serve on a variety of campus committees to provide insight to NCAA regulations and recommendations.

“One of the things the group works to do is to better integrate athletics and academics,” said Jeno.  “Many times students feel they lead two lives: their athletic life and the academic life.  We are trying to do a better job of integrating both aspects of the student-athlete’s campus life.”

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New Web Site a Gateway to Rural Health Research

The UND Center for Rural Health launched a new Rural Health Research Gateway Web site.

The Web site, funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, features rural health research conducted by the federal Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP)’s Rural Health Research Centers on topics such as access to care, health care quality management and improvement, Medicare and Medicaid, health information technology, health workforce, patient safety, and public and mental health.

At the Web site, http://www.ruralhealthresearch.org, users can:

• Search for summaries of research projects, both underway and completed.
• Find fact sheets, policy briefs, and other publications resulting from the work of the research centers.
• Access information about the eight ORHP-funded Rural Health Research Centers, including contacts and areas of expertise.

“Rural health care can face significant challenges and it is hard to find solutions when you are operating in a data-free zone,” said Mary Wakefield, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N. director of the Center for Rural Health.  “The Rural Health Research Gateway will help to move information more rapidly so it can be used to address those challenges.”

The Rural Health Research Gateway is a project of the UND Center for Rural Health, in conjunction with the RUPRI Health Panel and the University of Southern Maine.

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Federal Health Panel Praises UND

In a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt discussing his visit to North Dakota last fall, the chair of the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services praised UND for its “mission of service.” 

“The committee was impressed by the work of one of one of its hosts, the University of North Dakota, which is a great example for a research university taking to heart its mission of service,” said Committee Chair David Beasley, former governor of South Carolina.  “The university’s programs and outreach efforts play a key role in supporting health and human service delivery in North Dakota.  It is home to the only medical school in North Dakota, whose graduates supply much of the health care workforce in rural North Dakota.”

In September, the Center for Rural Health at the UND medical school hosted members of this committee that advises the Secretary on rural issues.  During the meetings in Grand Forks, Devils Lake and Cando, the committee gathered information on rural issues involving substance abuse, Medicare Advantage and Headstart programs to include in their annual report to the Secretary.

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UND Physician Assistant Class of 2008 Receive

White Coats

The sixth White Coat Ceremony for new students in the Physician Assistant (PA) Program took place on February 16 at the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

The class consists of 33 students, 19 women and 14 men, from 16 states. These students, members of the program’s 36th class, received their white coats and UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences pins. They also received “Guidelines for Ethical Conduct for the Physician Assistant Profession.”

“The presentation of the white coat is symbolic of the new profession the students are entering,” said Mary Ann Laxen, PA program director. The students will wear these coats throughout the clinical phase of their training.

Guest speaker for the event was Robert Beattie, M.D. ’89, associate professor and chair of family and community medicine at the UND medical school.

Physician assistants are health care professionals who practice medicine with physician guidance and supervision. The UND physician assistant program, the only one in North Dakota, is the only one in the U.S. specifically geared to clinically practicing health care professionals, who have at least two years of professional experience.

They reside in their home communities during the training experience, coming to UND only for four, four-week periods and a week prior to graduation. Most of their 22-month program of study occurs in the hometown clinical setting under the supervision of their physician-faculty member. Most of these students come from rural communities, where, in many cases, they plan to continue working.

More than 70 percent of physician assistants practicing in North Dakota are graduates of the UND program.

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Lindquist Receives Award

Kurt Lindquist, M.D., surgeon at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Fargo and UND clinical professor of surgery, has been awarded the 2006 Annual Secretary’s Hands and Heart Award.  This award recognizes his excellence in providing sustained and compassionate direct patient care.  Only one such award is granted annually at each facility.

Lindquist initiated a vascular surgery program at the Fargo VAMC, elevating it to the highest standards in vascular surgery.  Additionally, he initiated an endovascular surgery program where a recent review of carotid endarterectomy results documented quality of care which exceeded expected national outcomes.

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Hill Receives Saiki Prize for Teaching Excellence

Thomas Hill, Ph.D., professor of microbiology and immunology, Grand Forks, received the UND Foundation/ Lydia and Arthur Saiki Prize for Graduate or Professional Teaching Excellence during the Founders Day banquet Feb. 22 at UND.

Since joining the medical school in 1995, he has made major contributions to UND and the medical school in teaching, research and service.   He came to UND “well prepared, having taught and established an active research program at Drexel (University) and having become an internationally recognized expert in the area of termination of bacterial DNA replication,” said Kevin Young, Ph.D., professor of microbiology and immunology, Grand Forks.  “In addition, his teaching prowess was well-developed and acclaimed.”               

Many students, both current and former, wrote letters in support of Hill’s nomination.  A common theme among them was Hill’s devotion to teaching, to his students, and to the patients they will serve. 

“Tom’s performance as a lecturer is superb,” says Roger Melvold, Ph.D., professor and chair of microbiology and immunology, Grand Forks.  “His command of the information, the preparation of his visual materials, and his delivery style sometimes make me, frankly, green with envy.  The high regard in which he is held by the students is obvious in the way they interact with him through asking questions or seeking clarifications, and in their evaluations.”  

He excels in teaching graduate students many of whom have gone on to post-doctoral positions in prestigious institutions, including Harvard and the National Institutes of Health.  His commitment to research is evident in his work on AIDS, West Nile virus and prions, bringing funding to the University, providing research experience to students, and publishing on a wide variety of crucially important subjects.

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National Advisory Council Meeting Held on Campus

The Office of the Dean and the Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations hosted the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences National Advisory Council meeting February 16-17, 2007 on campus.

Twenty alumni and friends of national prominence attended meetings with development consultant, Dr. Ralph Silverio of Grenzebach Glier & Associates, Inc., as well as Dean Wilson and the Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations staff. The group also toured the SMHS and visited with medical students, faculty members and researchers.

Members of the committee include:  Jon Tingelstad, M.D. (B.S.Med. ’58) Chocowinity, NC, national chair; John Berger, M.D. (B.S.Med. ’63), San Diego, CA; Tom Berquist, M.D. (B.S.Med. ’69), Ponte Vedre Beach, FL; Cecil Chally, M.D. (B.S. ’61, B.S.Med. ’63), Minneapolis, MN; Lloyd Everson, M.D. (B.S. ’65, B.S.Med. ’67), The Woodlands, TX; Kevin Fickenscher, M.D. (B.S.Med. ’78), Tiburon, CA; Jay Giedd, M.D. ’86, Potomac, MD; Julie Gilbertson, M.D. ’91, Rochester, MN; Roger Gilbertson, M.D., Fargo, ND; Ernest Godfread, M.D. ‘77 (B.S.Med. ’75), Bismarck, ND; Wesley Herman, M.D. ’76 (B.S.Med. ’74), Dallas, TX; Richard Horne, M.D. (B.S.Med. ’72) and Donna Horne, M.D. (B.S.Med. ’72), Paradise Valley, AZ; John Jarrett, M.D. (B.S.Med. ’63), Eugene, OR; George Johnson, M.D. (B.S.Med. ’58), Fargo, ND; Kent Johnson, M.D. (B.S.Med. ’75), Ann Arbor, MI; Mark Lundeen, M.D. (B.S.Med. ’73), Fargo, ND; David Monson, M.D. (B.S.Med. ’61), River Forest, IL; Richard Olafson, M.D. (B.S.Med. ’57), Fargo, ND; Bruce Porter, M.D. (B.S.Med. ’72), Seattle, WA; Rod Rohrich, M.D. (B.S.Med. ’77), Dallas, TX; Michael Unhjem, J.D. ’78, Fargo, ND, and Myron Wentz, Ph.D. (M.S. ’66), Indian Wells, CA.

The focus of this committee is to provide leadership for the national fundraising campaign which will greatly benefit the School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

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Nominations Invited for ‘Humanism in Medicine’ Award

The UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences is seeking nominations for the 2007 Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine awards presented by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation.  The awards will be presented during the M.D. Class of ’07 Commencement Awards Luncheon May 13 at UND.

One graduating medical student and one physician faculty member will be recognized for excellence in both compassionate patient care and scientific achievement.  Each recipient will be awarded a $1000 prize.

To nominate a graduating medical student and/or a physician faculty member, submit a letter to the Student Performance and Recognition Committee (SPRC) in care of the Office of Student Affairs and Admissions, 501 N. Columbia Road Stop 9037, Grand Forks, ND 58202-9037, which outlines why the individual should receive the award.  Please explain how the nominee meets the criteria for the award which can be found on the medical school web site: www.med.und.edu (click on “Administration” on left menu, then “Student Affairs”).

Deadline for nominations is April 6.  For more information, contact the Office of Student Affairs at (701)777-4221.

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