UTMB Faculty Senate

February 8, 2010

4:30 – 6:00 pm

MINUTES

 

Present: Drs. Wisnewski, Chair, D. Callender, G. Anderson, I. Boldogh, V. Brooke, J. Broussard, C. Cooper, S. Gerik, E. Hannigan, S. Higgs, S. Jain, C. Jansen, M. Kanuth, J. LeDuc, L. Massey, N. Mendias, D. Munsell, M. O’Keefe, D. Powell, E. Protas, K. Sandor, P. Singh, E. Smith, H. Spratt, A. Torres, C. Utsey, S. Watowich, P. Watson and C. Wigg

 

Absent:  Drs. Y. Davila, S. Petronella and D. Solanki

 

Special Guest:  Dr. A. O’Donell

 

I.      The meeting was called to order at 4:30 pm by Charlotte Wisnewski, Faculty Senate Chair.

 

II.    Approval of Minutes of January 11, 2010.  Minutes of January 11, 2010, were accepted as written and voted on by email sent January 27, 2010.

 

III.  Provost’s and Dean’s Report

 

  Provost - Dr. Garland Anderson

·      Clinical Initiatives – Diabetes, Cardiovascular, Hypertension, Cancer, Neurodegenerative diseases. 

·      Dr. Anderson mentioned Dr. Lemon was leaving due to personal reasons.

 

IV.  Presentation – State of UTMB – Dr. Callender, President

·      Dr. Callender presented a PowerPoint presentation entitled “A Time for Bold Action,” Highlights from the presentation include:

·      A Long-Standing Mission – Defining the future by educating tomorrow’s health care workers and advancing patient care especially for those who have complex illnesses.

·      Central Questions – How do we educate a health care workforce that values life-long learning; how to increase understanding of serious threats to human health; how do we apply the latest research advances?

·      Leveraging Our Strengths – How does our expertise mesh best with society’s needs and funding opportunities?  UTMB is qualified to address: Shortage and mal-distribution of health care practitioners by educating more students; Chronic, age-related, debilitating illnesses through focus on our considerable expertise in translational research.

·      Planning for the Future – Simultaneously planning and implementing strategies.

·      The Here and Now (Immediate Future) – Address remaining post-Ike resource constraints:  Hire support personnel (priority as finances improve); add research space to 5th and 6th floor Children’s Hospital; Recruit faculty in areas of need.

·      The Road Ahead (2-3 years) http://www.utmb.edu/strategic_vision/ – Recruit and retain outstanding faculty; Manage Health System’s capacity efficiently; Create a campus that will advance areas of our Mission.

·      A Bold Vision (10 years) – Expand enrollment to address shortage (School of Nursing and School of Health Professions to increase their enrollments by 100% and the School of Medicine increase by 25%, grow residency programs). Build translational research and clinical expertise in chronic, age-related disease: Diabetes and metabolic diseases – Stark Diabetes Center; Neuroscience and neurodegenerative diseases – Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases; Solid tumor cancers; and Cardiovascular disease–end-stage heart failure.

·      Our Areas of Focus – Build upon established excellence in translational research; Improve clinical care with clear linkages to our research efforts; Benefit from other areas of sustained and proven excellence (aging, maternal/fetal health, transplant, burns, infectious diseases/vaccine development, educational programs); Collaborate rather than compete; and Targeted faculty recruitment and targeted programmatic investment.

·      A Campaign for the Future – Awareness and support never greater; Seeking UT System approval for 5-year, $230M capital campaign; Feasibility study under way; Facilities - $180M philanthropy goal (Hospital and Surgical Care Tower $100M; Translational Research Building $40M; and Interprofessional Educational Center $40M) and Recruitment of Outstanding Faculty $50M philanthropy goal.

Dr. Callender concluded his presentation and opened for discussion. 

Dr. Torres stated that the faculty want to be a part of the planning for the future.  Dr. Watowich said that the Faculty Senate should take a leadership role, show cohesiveness.  He had a list of 20 faculty who he has collaborated with that have left or leaving the university and and how are we retaining faculty.  Dr. Anderson commented that they are interviewing for BSL4 and have hired a substantial amount of faculty recently and a couple of chair searches are being finalized.  Dr. Torres commented that we have a broken link of communication and we need to hear more about faculty recruitment.  In closing, Dr. Callender said some things that we need to think about are: Where we are going, What does the future look like, What are the important things we are doing and What makes us great? 

 

Dr. Watowich stated that we need to work on the disconnect with faculty and administration; some faculty feel that they cannot speak their minds in order to contribute to our moving forward.  He has seen other university policies on declaring that they are out of financial exigency and will share these with Dr. Callender.  Dr. Sandor asked about the Regents meeting last week, what was decided on the master plan.  Dr. Callender stated that we got the go ahead for the hospital and will plan in detail and bring back to the next BOR meeting.  Dr. Torres asked for Dr. Callender’s presentation to share with his faculty that he represents.  Dr. Callender appreciates the Senate communicating to their faculty and stated these topics are presented at the Town Hall meetings.  The Senate thanked Dr. Callender for his attendance and presentation.

 

V.    Professionalism Charter – Dr. Alice O’Donell

Dr. O’Donell has co-chaired the UTMB Professionalism Committee for almost 10 years.  She reminded faculty that Dr. Stobo initiated the Professional initiative.  The Professionalism Grants announcement (sheet distributed) will also be sent by email calling for the Professional Awards Project which is open to the entire UTMB community and consists of three to five grants of $5,000 to $10,000 which will be awarded to departments or work groups to fund initiatives that promote discussion, research and other activities that ensure a culture of professionalism and awareness of the UTMB Professionalism Charter Twelve commitments.  Also, they have a Professional Brown Bag entitled:  Discourage Disruptive Behavior: It starts with a Cup of Coffee! And will be held on March 25.  Dr. O’Donell discussed the Professionalism Agreement and the 10th Anniversary Professionalism Charter (handouts provided) and opened for discussion.  Dr. Powell indicated that some faculty may not wish to actually sign a document which is placed in their personnel file.   Dr. O’Donell stated if anyone has any questions, please email her.

 

In the interest of time, Dr. Wisnewski asked that, Drs. Gerik and Utsey report from the Sys Fac Meeting in March.  

A motion for adjournment was made and approved.  The meeting was adjourned at 5:55 pm.  The Committees then met for their work.

 

Dean’s Report (handouts were provided at the meeting) rather than an oral report.

 

Dean, School of Nursing and Vice President for Education - report provided by Dr. Watson.

 

SCHOOL OF NURSING DEAN’S REPORT

The Doctor of Nursing Practice Curriculum Proposal was approved at the Institutional level by the Council of Deans with the following stipulation:  only 20 students, all post-Masters, be admitted annually until the issue of how to handle the faculty workload considerations is resolved to the Academic Affairs Council members’ satisfaction.

 

The Proposal for a Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Nursing Education was also approved by the Council of Deans.

 

120th Anniversary Luncheon: A change of venue from Levin Hall Dining Room to the Galleon Room at the Galveston Island Convention Center. 

 

SON Faculty Workload Task Force: Members are Dr. Davila, Chair; Drs. Leonard, Rath, O’Keefe, Petersen, Phillips, Wiggs and Ms. Bachynsky.

      Recommended charges are:

·      Fiscal ramifications

·      Level the field between programs when possible

·      Reflect SON priorities

·      Expectation of performing at rank

·      Revision of TLC formula

·      Eight week time frame for completion of work

 

Faculty Recruitment Reward Program: $3,000 reward for bringing in a new full-time faculty member

·       Qualified person who accepts a position

·       Person must be on site

·       Currently enrolled graduate students or very recent graduates not acceptable

·      Looking for: Psychiatric Mental Health, Obstetrics and Pediatrics, Oncology Nurse Researcher

 

 

UTMB VICE PRESIDENT FOR EDUCATION REPORT

The 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 UT System Tuition and Fee request was sent to Dr. Shine’s office last Friday for review.  Dr. Shine will be sending us back any feedback he may have to make adjustments to the proposal in order for him to present our proposal to the board of regents at their March meeting.

 

The iStar program is still progressing in a timely manner.  We are currently on time and on budget for this project, which has an expected completion date of fall 2011.

 

Academic Integrity Week is scheduled for the first week in March.  More information on activities is to be sent out shortly.

 

A reminder that synergy will host Interprofessional Education Day on Wednesday March 24, 2010. The day is full of opportunities for all students to become engaged in the activities for the day.

 

The tentative schedule is as followed:

 

11:00 am   Welcome / Introductions/ Comments                                (Levin Hall Dining Room) 

11:30 am   Lunch & Poster Session                                                    (Levin Hall Dining Room)

  1:00 pm   Speaker’s Main Session - Presentation and Q&A                           (Levin Hall Main) 

Presentations by Dr. James LeDuc, Deputy Director,

Galveston National Laboratory and Dr. Rick Piles,

Associate Professor, Department of Pathology

  3:00 pm   Student Team Building                                                      (Levin Hall Dining Room)

 

Patient Safety Initiative:  The initiative on patient safety for synergy has begun and a second group meeting has been scheduled for mid-March. 

 

SACS Response to First Monitoring Report

SACS has asked that we document that the Master of Medical Science degree program has implemented the assessment model described in our focused report. (Objectives, measurement method, achievement targets).  SACS has also asked that we show use of results by program’s currently implementing the assessment model.  synergy baseline measures were accepted and synergy is no longer under review by SACS.

 

Second Monitoring Report

Second Monitoring report is due to SACS April 15th.  Focus is on use of assessment results for program improvement by GSBS programs.  Successful acceptance of this report will end the two year (without prejudice) monitoring period.

 

Assessment Meetings

Annual assessment review meetings with program leadership are ongoing and should conclude by the end of February.

 

SACS Fifth year Interim Report

The process of reviewing a selected number of SACS principles is under way.  This process will document our continued compliance with the SACS Principles of Accreditation.

 

Dean, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences – report provided by Dr. Cooper.

  • With approval & assistance of the Provost, GSBS will host the 20th consecutive year of its Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP).  This month the selection committee will evaluate applications and select 25 undergraduates to attend the 10 week program which runs from the first week in June to early August.  Historically over 600 undergraduates have participated, 59% have been female and 30% have been under represented minorities.  Many have applied to UTMB and 14% have enrolled.  Last year, with no housing available only 13 commuter students attended SURP, but this year student housing is available, so we are able to resume a normal sized program.

 

  • With approval from the Provost, GSBS announced recently that the base stipend for GSBS students will increase September 2010 from $25K/year to $27K/year in order to keep pace with our competitors in the state and region.

 

Dean, School of Health Professions – report provided by Dr. Protas.

Activities:

  • We are preparing our budget for our budget hearings with the Provost later in February.  Primary areas will be new faculty and staff positions in order to accommodate increased enrollment and grant activities, renovations of current space, furniture for new space, support for new faculty and graduate student stipends, and student scholarships.

 

  • Physical and Occupational Therapy completed applicant interviews.  Physician Assistant Studies will continue to interview through the first of March.  Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Respiratory Care begin their admissions process this spring and continue into the summer.

 

Announcements:

People:

·       Dr. Chris Baker has been awarded the Outstanding Educator Award from the Education Section of the American Physical Therapy Association. 

 

·       Congratulations to Dr. Ken Ottenbacher and the Rehabilitation Sciences faculty who submitted a program project on Clinical Interventions for Muscle Rehabilitation followed by a post-doctoral grant to NIDRR 9 days later.  

 

·       Dr. Protas will have a presentation on Workforce Issues in the Health Professions as part of a hearing on the proposed Texas State Health Plan for 2011-2016 being developed by the Stateside Health Coordinating Council, chaired by Dr. Ben Raimer and on which Dr. Protas is a member.

 

·       Dr. Barbara Doucet, Occupational Therapy, Dr. Mon Bryant, Dr. Tim Reistetter, and Dr. James Graham, Rehabilitation Sciences, attended the ERRIS (Enhancing Rehabilitation Research in the South) workshop on grant writing hosted by the University of Virginia.

 

Education: 

·       The proposal for a distance education program for a MPT to DPT transition was approved at January’s meeting of the THECB.  Dr. Utsey, Chair of Physical Therapy, attended the meeting to answer any questions.

 

·       Respiratory Care has established a new articulation agreement with San Jacinto Community College.  These agreements help to recruit students into the respiratory care program and their Career Ladder program.

 

Quality and Service:

·       As part of our continuing employee recognition program, our STARS for the first quarter were Dr. Carolyn Utsey, Physical Therapy, and Paula Gabriles, Clinical Lab Sciences.