Recycle your games and cheer up a child. Pediatrics and the Child Life Program at UTMB hope people will donate DVDs and PlayStation games they no longer need for children to use in the hospital. For more information, contact Child Life at 409-772-3424 or email kischell@utmb.edu.

 

 Vaccines for chronic diseases symposium

The latest in a series of symposia looking at the changing landscape of vaccine development will focus on the progression of vaccine development from the bench to the bedside to the global community. Sponsors include the Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, the Cancer Center, the Center for Addiction Research and the Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases at UTMB, in conjunction with the journal Vaccine, the World Health Organization Initiative for Vaccine Research and the British Consulate-General Houston. The symposium takes place Feb. 7-9 at Moody Gardens in Galveston and the deadline for registration is Jan. 23. For more information and to register, go to www.utmb.edu/scvd.

 

Dr. Patricia Beach, director of the division of pediatrics, and Karen A. Brykczynski, professor of nursing, have been inducted into The University of Texas Academy of Health Science Education, an organization of distinguished scholars recognized for their teaching excellence. Among the criteria on which prospective members are judged: direct teaching, curriculum development, counseling and mentorship, leadership, and educational scholarship and research.

 

Melissa Eitzen, director of regulatory operations for the Office of Regulated Nonclinical Studies at UTMB, was elected for a two-year term as a director for the Society of Quality Assurance. The society is an organization dedicated to promoting and advancing the principles and knowledge of quality assurance essential to human, animal and environmental health. The nearly 2,500 members work in industry, government, academia and consulting in more than 30 countries. 

 

“The social construction of heart transplantation: Key race and gender insights” was the topic of an Institute for the Medical Humanities colloquium presented by Erma Lawson, associate professor at the University of North Texas.

 

“How gut microbes enhance enteric virus infectivity” was the topic of an infectious diseases and immunity colloquium presented by Julie K. Pfeiffer, assistant professor of microbiology at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

 

“Did Prokroustes have the secret to cure obesity?” was the topic of Labros Sidossis, professor and director of nutrition and metabolism research at the Sealy Center on Aging.

 

“Contributions of alternative motor pathways in recovery of arm function following ischemic stroke” was presented by Wendy Herbert, assistant professor of physical therapy in the School of Health Professions.

 

“Ethics consultations: Medical power of attorney, patients’ rights” was the topic of a nursing seminar presented by Bronia Michejenko.