January Welcome Note
There are some people who are so foundational to who we are as a Medical School that we can't imagine what our trajectory would have been without them. Last Saturday, one those people passed away. Dr. James Boulger was part of the founding fabric of our Duluth Campus and faculty there for nearly 50 years. He directly impacted thousands of lives as a teacher, clinician and colleague, and impacted hundreds of thousands of people with his pursuit of better care for Northern Minnesota, and rural and Native American communities. His legacy is proof that combining passion with compassion can truly have an impact on the world. I hope that we can honor his work and let it inspire us on our own.
#lookfortheM
A new vision for health in Minnesota
On January 12, University and Medical School leadership announced a new vision, MPact Health Care Innovation. The University is proposing to acquire our teaching hospitals and clinical facilities to create a healthcare campus on the East Bank. LEARN MORE>>
Genentech Health Equity & Diversity in STEM Innovation Fund creates new master's degree program
The Duluth Campus' Gateways to Medicine and Research for Indigenous Students received a $750,000 award from Genentech to support a new master's degree program with 2 tracks (medical and research). This program aims to increase access to health sciences education for MN Native American and rural students. READ MORE>>
The healing power of storytelling
As part of the Center for the Art of Medicine, co-directors Dr. Maren Olson and Dr. Ben Trappey are exploring how storytelling can help physicians, residents and medical students connect to their community and reconnect to their sense of meaning and purpose. Storytelling also acts as a tool for advocacy, sharing experience and ensuring that traditionally marginalized voices are heard. READ MORE>>
The joys and challenges of rural practice in RPAP
Meet Cassidy, a medical student from North Dakota who had an exciting and transformational nine months in Staples, MN, as part of the Rural Physician Associate Program. Learn more about Cassidy, her preceptors and one very special patient in this installment of Where Discovery Creates Hope. READ AND WATCH MORE>>
Pursuing Excellence
Melissa Stevens recognized for outstanding contributions to medical education
Now semi-retired, Melissa Stevens led education efforts for the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health for nearly 20 years. The enormous impact she has had on this department and its programs were recognized with the Graduate Medical Education Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honor that can be bestowed on a member of the GME community at the University of Minnesota. READ MORE>>
Three of the ten 2023 student members of the Healers Community Circle program are from our Duluth Campus!
Second-year medical students Tamee Livermont, Emily Walck and Hailey Baker have been recognized as members of the 2023 Healers Cohort of We Are Healers, an honorary program that supports the aspirations and professional training of American Indian students in the healing sciences. READ MORE>>
Otopathology Lab uses revolutionary technology to preserve temporal bone specimens
Thanks to the gift of a laser microtome from the lab's founder, Dr. Michael Paparella, and grants from the NIH and the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, the Otopathology Lab is advancing the preservation and study of human temporal bones. The goal is to enable more researchers to have access to these valuable specimens, which are important to studying diseases of hearing and balance. READ MORE>>
Advocating for low-income medical school applicants
The expenses of applying to medical school, which can be upwards of $10,000 per application, can be the barrier that stops intelligent, talented students from pursuing their dreams of becoming a doctor. Third-year medical students Cassidy Berg and Susan Molina created a short video asking that medical schools re-examine admissions practices that may put some students at a disadvantage and potentially eliminate them from consideration. READ MORE>>
Combining our strengths to focus on issues that impact our military and communities
A congressionally funded partnership between Minnesota (Medical School, Medical Alley and Fairview Health Services) and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences resulted in 13 total funded research projects in the areas of traumatic brain injury, infectious disease, behavioral health, biomedical engineering and trauma. The Minnesota collaborative teams include 47 investigators. READ MORE>>
Former Duluth student publishes a book supported by CFAM faculty
While Ginearosa Carbone was a medical student in the Native American track at the Duluth Campus, she wrote Cut Me Open, Make Me Whole with support from faculty and the Center for the Art of Medicine. She is currently performing her residency in California, and has recently published the book, an American Indian psychological horror story about a student close to completing her final year of medical school in rural Minnesota. LEARN MORE>>
#ICYMI
Duluth students co-author article on community-based resources and the health of rural residents
Hailey Baker and Mahtahn Jenkins published an article in Minnesota Physician that explores the roles physicians can play in improving both use and prevalence of community-based resources while empowering local residents to improve the health and lives of those in their community. READ MORE>>
Duluth's Center of American Indian and Minority Health in the Sahan Journal
The Center of American Indian and Minority Health in Duluth has long been a leader in recruiting and supporting students in the health sciences. This article explores the ways the Center provides connection, refuge, and inspiration for Native students in the health sciences. READ MORE>>
Dr. Mary Owen hosted the January 5 episode of Doctors on Call
For many years, Duluth's PBS station has hosted a series called Doctors on Call. Earlier this month, Dr. Mary Owen hosted and led a panel of thought leaders on Indigenous health. Her guests included Roxanne DeLille, Dean of Indigenous and Academic Affairs at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, Ricky DeFoe, an elder and cultural leader of the Fond du Lac reservation, and Dr. Arne Vainio of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, who has been a primary care physician in Indian Country for 25 years and is a graduate of our medical school. WATCH NOW>>
Anniversaries
Funding & Opportunities
Join SADI's Leadership Committee and Subcommittees
Staff Advancing Diversity and Inclusion (SADI) is welcoming applications from Medical School staff to help lead DEI efforts in our community. Find out more about the Leadership Committee and Subcommittees by reading through SADI’s Missions and Current Initiatives. Additionally, please feel free to review the Charter which includes additional details about the committee structure and membership descriptions and expectations. Reach out to [email protected] with any questions. REGISTER>>
Join a summer research training opportunity with CTSI
A summer research training opportunity from the Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) is now accepting applications from doctoral-level professional health sciences students and early-PhD students. Called A-PReP, the programs give students the opportunity to gain critical skills, conduct research with a mentor, present their findings, and build camaraderie with fellow students. Applications accepted until February 10. APPLY>>
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Enroll in the Blood Study
University of Minnesota researchers are seeking healthy volunteers to enroll in The Blood Study. Our research aims to understand immunity to infections. Participants will be compensated up to $20 for their time. We are looking for participants who are 18 to 49 years old and in overall good health. The study involves a one time blood draw at the UMN campus. The entire study will take about 30 minutes to complete! Email [email protected] to volunteer.
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Share your experiences with bias and discrimination in healthcare
Dr. Andrea Westby and Dr. Taj Mustapha are conducting virtual interviews study with patients and community members who have experienced discrimination or bias in healthcare. They will explore how participants feel about being asked about discrimination in healthcare at their office visits and identify considerations for how to better care for patients and communities. Anyone 18+ who have experienced discrimination in healthcare and can navigate Zoom for an interview conducted in English is eligible to participate. Please consider being part of the study and sharing with patients and community members. REGISTER>>
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IRB Protocol Writing Academy - Request for Applicants!
The Medical School Research Office is excited to announce its inaugural IRB Protocol Writing Academy. This opportunity is open to junior faculty members who would benefit from a 12 week program: 8 didactic sessions and 4 weeks of independent work. The program will focus on learning the IRB Protocol Writing process, how to navigate services at the University of Minnesota, and how to make sure that your IRB protocol works for the scientific components of your research project. For more information, please visit our website; 8-10 applicants will be accepted into the program. APPLY>>
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Opportunity for CME credits
The Food Matters for Health Professionals continuing education course is being offered in three sessions starting January 30. This live-via-Zoom course is an evidence-based, experiential-learning, applied nutrition, and culinary skills course for health professionals of all disciplines. The course addresses the role of food in specific health conditions and its function in health promotion and disease prevention. See website for information and accreditation statement. REGISTER>>