Internal news of interest

• Boulger Awarded Five-year $2.3 Million HRSA Grant for Curriculum Upgrade
• Welcoming 60 New Medical Students
• Duluth Students Elected to Gold Humanism Honor Society
• High School Students Visit the Medical School
• Medical Student Pre-orientation
• Congratulations Class of 2010
• Indian Medical School Graduates
• AAFP Recognition
• Second Year Student Banquet and Awards
• Students and Alumni Meet in St. Paul
• Davis Speaks about State of Medical School, Duluth campus
• HOPE Clinic Recognition Night
• MAFP Family Physician of the Year Duluth Campus Alumnus
• Brain Awareness Week 2010
• E-Learning Tools for Medical Education
• Scholars and Donors Celebrate
• Duluth Campus Alumni Named Local Top Doctors
• Top Doctors 2010 in Twin Cities Started in Duluth

Boulger Awarded Five-year $2.3 Million HRSA Grant for Curriculum Upgrade     top
October 2010
In an email to all faculty and staff on the Duluth Campus, Regional Campus Dean Gary Davis congratulated Jim Boulger, Ph.D. (PI) and Ruth Westra, D.O. who worked on the successful HRSA grant, Pre-doctoral Training in Primary Care. Davis said, “We received notification that it was fully funded ($416,000 annually for 5 years)! This is outstanding news and will help the school to continue its remarkable success in its educational missions.”

The Health Resources and Services Administration has awarded the $2,375,635 to support a major curriculum revision of the Duluth campus’s primary training mission to educate physicians dedicated to practicing family medicine in rural and Native American communities.

Welcoming 60 New Medical Students     top
August 23, 2010
Following an intensive admissions process designed to select students who meet our mission, 60 new students began medical school today at the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth campus. They join the 63 second year students for a total medical student body of 123.

New students were chosen from a pool of almost 1,300 applicants.
• 31 women
• 29 men
• 6 American Indian

86% grew up in communities smaller than 20,000 – a fact that underscores the mission of the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth campus: educating primary care physicians who will serve rural and Native American communities.

Duluth Students Elected to Gold Humanism Honor Society     top
Date
8 of the 40 Class of 2011 medical students elected by their peers to the Gold Humanism Honor Society started their medical education here in Duluth:
• Alissa Carrow
• Lindsey Chmielewski
• Rolf Hallberg
• Marie Lange
• Elizabeth Meichsner
• Rebekah Syverson
• Abigail Taylor
• Mark Vukonich

The Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS), the Gold Foundation's newest initiative, honors senior medical students, residents, role-model physician teachers and other exemplars recognized for “demonstrated excellence in clinical care, leadership, compassion and dedication to service.”

High School Students Visit the Medical School     top
July, 2010
45 high school students visited our medical school campus as they participated in Northeast Minnesota AHEC’s Health Occupations Today- H.O.T. Program. H.O.T is a three-day program for 8th-12th grade students who are interested in health care careers.

Students met faculty and students, engaged in hands on activities and took a look “behind the scenes” at medical school. They visit other health care facilities and systems as well.

Students were from: Finlayson, Moose Lake, Mahtowa, Willow River, Sturgeon Lake, Kettle River, Barnum, Cloquet, Carlton, Kerrick, Woodbury, Duluth, Crane Lake, Orr, Saginaw, Coon Rapids, Esko, Goodland, Nashwauk, Knife River, Mt. Iron, Eveleth, Floodwood, Superior and South Range.

Medical Student Pre-orientation     top
June 7, 2010
54 of the 60 medical students who will begin their education on this campus in the Fall heard Regional Campus Dean Gary Davis welcome them and advise them: “You aren’t in college anymore.” The students were attending the Duluth Campus’s Summer Welcome and Pre-Orientation Program today and Dr. Davis was encouraging the students to take this next phase of their education very seriously and professionally as they start down the path to becoming a physician.

The program included welcoming remarks from Duluth campus faculty, staff and the Minnesota Medical Foundation. Students also introduced themselves to each other and met their mentors, students from the first year class who will be their “big brothers/big sisters” as they adjust to medical school.

Congratulations Class of 2010     top
May 7, 2010
55 students who began their education on the Duluth Campus graduated today at Northrop Auditorium.

More than 63% of the 55 graduates who began their medical education at the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth campus were matched to primary care residency programs at Match Day. That represents a 10% increase in the number of Duluth students selecting primary care compared to last year.

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), this Spring, recognized the University of Minnesota School of Medicine as one of the Top 10 medical schools in the nation for producing Family Medicine physicians. The Achievement Award recognizes the school’s efforts to foster student interest in family medicine and produce graduates who enter the specialty.

Center of American Indian and Minority Health Honors American Indian Medical School Graduates     top
May 6, 2010
6 Native American graduates tonight were honored by the Center of American Indian and Minority Health (CAIMH) at a dinner at the Nicollet Island Inn in Minneapolis.

Attended by students and their families and friends, the event included

• Opening ceremony by Jim Clairmont, Lakota Spiritual leader and Chairman of the Elders Council
• Welcome by Joycelyn Dorscher, M.D., director of CAIMH
• Keynote speaker
• CAIMH Drum Group which included medical student Chuck Branch, 2010 graduate John Vukelich, and alumni Drs. Jason Deen and Erik Brodt.

Duluth Campus:

• Bobby Lee Karp (Cheyenne/Arapaho) Family Medicine, Fort Wayne Medical Education Program, Fort Wayne, IN
• John Vukelich (Salish/Kootenai/Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa) Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN

Twin Cities Campus:

• Elizabeth Medina Alm (Taino) Surgery, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN;
• Charles Johnson (Apache/Navajo)Transitional Medicine, Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, VA;
• Michael Parrott (Lenni Lenape) Family Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School
• John Thomas Egan (Tlingit). Internal Medicine, Abbott Northwestern, Minneapolis, MN

AAFP Recognition     top
March 17, 2010
The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has recognized the University of Minnesota School of Medicine as one of the Top 10 medical schools in the nation for producing Family Medicine physicians. The Achievement Award recognizes the school’s efforts to foster student interest in family medicine and produce graduates who enter the specialty.

Based on a three-year average for the period ending October 2009:

• 16.3% of all the medical school’s graduates have entered an ACGME-accredited family medicine residency program.
• 37.74% of Duluth campus students selected family medicine residencies during that same time period.

Duluth’s mission is to graduate students who will enter family medicine in rural areas.

Second Year Student Banquet and Awards     top
April 29, 2010
Senior Associate Dean Gary L. Davis and Lillian A. Repesh, PhD, associate dean for student affairs and admissions, tonight hosted the 36th Annual Farewell Dinner and award ceremony honoring 57 second- year students and faculty.

Department Awards

• T. John Leppi Award for Excellence in Anatomy: Ashley Nord
• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Award: Scott Wendroth
• Award for Excellence in Medical Microbiology &
• Immunology: Colt Edin
• Pathology Award: Evan McKay
• Pharmacology Award: Evan McKay
• Physiology Award: Ted Hanson

Family Medicine Awards

• Dr. Reino Puumala Award: Maureen Ayers Looby
• Wm. E. Jacott Award (OSCE): Evan McKay and Heather Grothe
• Dr. Charles M. And Ruth H. Bagley Scholarship: Maureen Ayers Looby, Julie Fox, Heather Grothe, Josh Peltier

Selected by Students

• Dr. Herbert Lampson Award: Maureen Ayers Looby
• Laird W. and Mary C. Lampson Award: Colt Edin
• James Russell Hunt Award: Melvina Bissonette
• Memorial Award: Julie Fox
• Nicolette Norton Award: Julie Fox
• Student Service Award: Maureen Ayers Looby
• Dr. John J. Dwyer Scholarship: Colt Edin and Kurt Farchmin
• First Year Basic Science Teacher of the Year
  Winner: Arlen Severson, Ph.D., Anatomy
  Honorable Mention: Patrick CJ Ward, M.D., Pathology
• Second Year Basic Science Teacher of the Year
  Winner: Kent Froberg, M.D., Pathology
  Honorable Mention: Lois Jane Heller, Ph.D., Physiology
• Second Year Clinical Teachers of the Year
  Clinical Faculty Winner: Jeff Adams, M.D., Family Medicine
  Community Faculty Winner: Robert Fleischmann, Ph.D.

Students and Alumni Meet in St. Paul     top
April 22, 2010
As part of a series of meetings hosted by the Minnesota Medical Foundation and Medical Alumni Society, Duluth alumni in the metro area joined others to hear a panel composed of two students who have participated in MEDS and IMER, and a medical school alumna who has been involved in international medical experiences.

Amanda Noska, who began her education in Duluth, presented her experiences in Cuba as part of her MEDS experience and in Haiti.

In addition to Noska, Dr. Sarah M. Kesler ’00 talking about serving in Sudan as part of Doctors Without Borders and Bethany Cook ’10 described her experience in Uganda as part of IMER. 29 guests attending the event.

Davis Speaks about State of Medical School, Duluth Campus      top
Spring 2010
Regional Campus Dean Gary Davis has begun a series of meetings to speak about the State of the University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth campus and at special gatherings. About 55 Duluth alumni and students who attended the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians annual Spring Refresher gathered during lunch at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in St. Paul to hear an update on the State of this medical campus and what they can do to help.

The goals of the lunch event were to continue to create networking opportunities for alumni and to keep them engaged with this campus. In a separate meeting on April 28th at the Kitchi Gammi Club in Duluth, Dr. Davis spoke to 21 invited senior medical leaders about the State of the Medical School.

HOPE Clinic Recognition Night     top
April 8
HOPE Clinic student leaders held their first recognition night tonight, touting the accomplishments of the HOPE Clinic and thanking all who have supported HOPE Clinic operations. They also distributed the Clinic’s very first annual report.

HOPE Clinic is a student-run, faculty-supervised teaching clinic with a mission to provide access to medical care and act as a referral clinic for the underserved and uninsured populations in the Duluth area. Students operate the Clinic at the CHUM (Churches United in Ministry) shelter in downtown Duluth.

In addition, the HOPE Clinic represents interprofessional education in action as medical and pharmacy students work together to learn and serve. According to the HOPE Clinic Annual Report, since students opened the Clinic in 2008, “more than 125 new patients from underserved populations who may have only been able to seek care at local emergency rooms, or none at all, have been served.”

MAFP Family Physician of the Year Duluth Campus Alumnus     top
March 30, 2010
The Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP) has selected Richard A. Wehseler, MD, of New London/Spicer, as the 2010 Family Physician of the Year.

Dr. Wehseler began his medical education here at the Duluth campus and graduated in 1995. This award is presented annually to a family physician who represents the highest ideals of the specialty of family medicine, including caring, comprehensive medical service, community involvement and service as a role model.

From the news release issued by the MAFP:
Family physicians from across the state were nominated for the award by patients, community members, and colleagues. Four finalists were selected from the field of nominees. After reviewing dozens of nomination letters, the MAFP Board of Directors chose Dr. Rick Wehseler as the winner.

Brain Awareness Week 2010     top
March 19, 2010
More than 1100 fifth and sixth grade students in Duluth-area elementary schools saw a real human brain up close and learned about how it helps people think, feel, taste and touch this week as University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth campus students and faculty visited classrooms. The faculty and students brought experiments and demonstrations into area classrooms as part of Brain Awareness Week.

They also presented to an additional 2850 students throughout the state this year as many of the Duluth medical students bring a brain with them as they travel to rural communities for their preceptorships. During a preceptorship, students work side-by-side with a rural family physician (the preceptor) to experience family medicine in action for two weeks.

Janet Fitzakerley, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Physiology and Pharmacology department at the Medical School, has been a member of the Public Education and Communication Committee of the Society for Neuroscience, which oversees Brain Awareness Week internationally. “Educating kids about the brain is critical because they need to understand how important it is to protect their brain cells” commented Fitzakerley.

E-Learning Tools for Medical Education     top
March, 2010
At a series of meetings for faculty and staff on eLearning, Glenn Nordehn, DO, assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine—Duluth Campus, presented examples of how medical curriculum can be created, delivered, and evaluated using iPhone or web platforms, separately or synchronously.

“The initiative to integrate e-learning into the curriculum makes our education delivery relevant for the 21st century,” commented Senior Associate Dean, Gary Davis. “It will help us create new education platforms and, as a result, our students can move into the community more quickly and for longer periods of time by taking their curriculum with them as they work with fellow students and with physicians.”

The school plans to create eLearning platforms that engage the students in learning more effectively and to actively participate more in the learning process, including consultation with their peers which is real-world practice in hospitals and clinics today.

Scholars and Donors Celebrate     top
March 4, 2010
In a very special event, students who received scholarships met their benefactors or those who represented their scholarship. Regional Campus Dean, Gary Davis, told the audience that “an event like this gives us an opportunity to celebrate with the students and properly thank you and acknowledge others for being their benefactor through a scholarship.”

According to Michelle Juntunen, director of medical advancement, Duluth, “We planned this event so that we all could learn about or become closer to those who love medical students and the mission of this school so much that they gave a major gift to support a scholarship. I’ve asked the students to stand and tell us about the scholarship they received and to introduce the individuals who gave. The benefactors might be here in person. They might be here in name only. We thank them all.”

135 people, including students, faculty and benefactors, attended the event held at Northland Country Club. For a complete list of scholarship winners, email Michelle Juntunen.

Duluth Campus Alumni Named Local Top Doctors     top
January 25, 2010
6 physicians who began their medical education on this campus and 15 physicians who teach our medical students have made the list of 40 Top Doctors published in Duluth-Superior Magazine’s just released February issue.

In addition, the Duluth Campus placed an advertisement, shown here, congratulating the Top Doctors in order to raise awareness of our medical school in this region. According to the magazine, the list results from its survey sent to local physicians asking which of their peers they would choose to treat their loved ones.

Duluth Alumni:

• Jeff Engelsgjerd
• James Jorgenson
• Mike Gibbons
• Jeff Klassen
• Michael Messer
• Tanya Repka

Duluth Campus Teachers:

• Gary Beaver, Chris Delp
• Jeff Engelsjerd
• Mike Hieb
• Robert Lund
• Melissa Najarian
• Daniel Nikcevich
• Vincent Ohaju
• Sandy Popham
• Susan Relf
• Tanya Repka
• Skip Silvestrini
• Mark Rhodes
• Therese Smith
• Tim Zager

Top Doctors 2010 in Twin Cities Started in Duluth     top
January 2010
20 physicians who began their medical education on this campus have made the list of Top Doctors published in Minneapolis-St. Paul magazine’s January issue. The list results from the magazine’s survey sent to 5,000 doctors and nurses randomly selected by the Minnesota Mailing list service from the State of Minnesota.

The survey requested that participants recommend physicians in 68 specialties certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties.

• 20% of the surveys mailed out were returned.
• Physicians receiving 15 % of the votes in each specialty were named Top Doctors.
• A total of 500 physicians made the list

Duluth Alumni:

• Kevin M. Kelly, Carolyn J. Torkelson -- Family Medicine
• Jonathan S. Sellman -- Infectious Diseases
• Jeffrey A. Balke, William S. Tiede -- Internal Medicine
• Tracy L. Prosen, Maternal/Fetal Medicine
• Sarah Mainguy; Annette D. Mies, Janet M. Schaffer -- Obstetrics/Gynecology
• Stuart Bloom, Barbara Bowers, Joseph Leach – Oncology
• Robert W. Smith – Otolaryngology
• Todd Hess -- Pain Medicine and Management
• Pamela Gigi Chawla – Pediatrics
• Amy E. Nygaard, Joel Oberstar -- Psychiatry, Child/Adolescent
• Lisa M. Bolin -- Sleep Medicine
• Gregg N. Dyste -- Surgery, Neurological
• Christopher J. Tolan -- Surgery, Plastic within Head and Neck