Dr. D. Daniel Hunt, the School of Medicine’s associate dean for academic affairs, has been named president-elect of the International Health Medical Education Consortium (IHMEC). He will assume the organization’s presidency at the February 2001 conference in Honduras. Hunt has developed exchange programs with several medical schools in China as these schools move toward a more Western style of teaching. He is also a consultant for an effort to develop a curriculum model for continuing education in isolated islands in the Pacific Basin. The consortium was founded in 1991 by a group of medical school educators and other academicians to strengthen teaching of international health at all levels of medical education. It has established a network of clinical opportunities overseas, and has defined stronger career tracks for medical residents and students in international health.
Dr. Keith Jerome, acting assistant professor of laboratory medicine and associate director of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center’s virology section, has been selected to receive the Dade MicroScan Young Investigator Award from the American Society for Microbiology. Jerome will receive the honor at the organization’s annual meeting in Los Angeles. He is being honored for his contributions to the study of immunity to herpes infections, particularly the way the herpes virus inhibits cell destruction to evade the immune system. He came to the UW as a resident in pathology and laboratory medicine, and then a senior fellow, after earning both M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from Duke University.
Sidney Herness has been named acting director of UW Medical Alumni Affairs. Herness has worked in the medical alumni office since 1998, most recently as a program support supervisor. Earlier, she worked in development and alumni relations at the UW School of Pharmacy, and also has worked at the UW Bothell campus. She succeeds Cliff Sanderlin, who has accepted the post of director of foundation relations for Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Sanderlin had directed the UW medical alumni office since 1997.
Dr. Nancy Kiviat, professor of pathology and director of pathology at Harborview Medical Center, has been named a member of the AIDS and Related Research Study Section for the National Institutes of Health Center for Scientific Review. Her term will run until June 2001. The study sections review and make recommendations on research applications for NIH; appointment is considered a recognition of research accomplishment.
Alzheimer’s Disease Public Forum: A free forum on current advances in clinical care and research is planned from 7 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, May 17, in 220 Kane Hall on campus. The event will include presentations on the genetics of Alzheimer’s and on improving clinical care for patients. The forum is sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and the de Tornyay Center on Healthy Aging, both at the UW. For more information, call Margaret Anderson at 685-9114.
The UW Speech and Hearing Clinic will sponsor free hearing screenings from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, May 6, at the clinic site, 4131 15th Ave. N.E. Information on hearing loss will be available and participants can speak with an audiologist about hearing and hearing aids. The event is part of the National Day of Hearing Testing, sponsored by clinics and the Self-Help for Hard of Hearing People organization. For more information on the UW screenings, call 543-5440.
Several UW teams will be participating in the March of Dimes WalkAmerica event on Saturday, April 29, at Husky Stadium. The main walking event begins at 8 a.m.; a 5K run begins at 7:30 a.m. This is the main fundraising event for the organization and supports programs and research to prevent birth defects, low birthweight and infant deaths. The number to register and get a pledge form is 1-800-291-DIME. ¶