I used to post these with some frequency. I think they talk to the tremendous scope of work at UTMB, the accomplishments of our UTMB colleagues, and some of the issues we face. It’s a snapshot of one week in the life of UTMB (My thanks to my colleague Marsha Canright and her team for assembling. As for me, I’m off to build a pinewood derby racer with my son.):
Media Week in Review for January 12-18, 2008
Upcoming News
· Discover Magazine interviewed Dr. Stan Lemon, Mike Holbrook, and others on the Galveston National Laboratory for spring isssue.
· Inside Healthcare magazine writer Maureen McKinney will interview Dr. Glenn Hammack on physicians using webcams.
· Galveston County Daily News reporter Laura Elder talked with UTMB Drs. Ben Raimer and Mike Fuller in a story on mental health services available in Galveston County.
· The new issue of United Mountain Horse magazine will feature UTMB’s Don Sexton describing his avocation, raising horses.
· Lee Page with Ophthalmology Options magazine will interview Dr. Godley on how to improve patient satisfaction.
· Alexis Grant of the Houston Chronicle interviewed Peggy Haardt and Dan Freeman for a story on lead poisoning.
· UTMB briefs package in Houston Chronicle Bay Area edition Jan. 24
Week’s Top Stories:
· CBS Evening News, The Truth About Statins, Jan. 17, 2008. This report, which questions the use of statins in some cases, features Dr. Howard Brody and UTMB patient David Mullican. For video: http://www.cbsnews.com/?source=homepage_refresh and then click on “more videos” and scroll down to “The Truth About Statins.”
· AARP Bulletin, Ties that bind, January 2008. For years, pharmaceutical companies have courted America’s doctors asking them to prescribe certain drugs. Now, patient advocates and lawmakers are questioning those relationships. Quotes UTMB’s Dr. Howard Brody. http://www.aarp.org/bulletin/yourhealth/drug_rep_ties_that_bind.html
· Los Angeles Times, Doling out the placebo effect, Jan. 14, 2008. A recent study in the Archives of General Internal Medicine found, physicians on the front lines of patient care are reaching for placebos with surprising frequency, and for different reasons, than patients might suspect. Quotes UTMB’s Dr. Howard Brody. http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-placebo14jan14,1,4887792.story?coll=la-headlines-health
· Galveston County Daily News, Doctor’s first novel delves into bio-attacks at Galveston laboratory, Jan. 13, 2008. Author Paul Boor, a pathologist at UTMB, has just published a novel called “The Blood Notes of Peter Mallow.” http://news.galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=e769537ccfb15e77d88aa0daf6c0a3b2
· Houston Chronicle, Worker dies at BP Texas City plant, Jan. 15, 2008. A man died from injuries sustained while working at the BP refinery in Texas City Monday afternoon. The victim, whose name has not been released, was first treated by BP Texas City emergency response personnel and transported to the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, where he died. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/bay/news/5454130.html Several other news outlets picked up the story after it was distributed by The Associated Press.
· Houston Chronicle, Closer look sought into prisoner’s death, Jan. 15, 2008. State Sen. John Whitmire of Houston has scheduled a hearing into the death of an inmate last year that was ruled a homicide. The inmate was first taken to a hospital in Huntsville last year on Jan. 23 after a scuffle with guards. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/chronicle/5454587.html The Associated Press version of the story is in The Fort Worth Star-Telegram http://www.startelegram.com/448/story/410043.html
· Galveston County Daily News, Time of despair brings lesson of hope, Jan. 15, 2008. UTMB Office of Diversity and International Affairs is sponsoring a panel discussion Feb. 7 on the Family Dynamics of Black Male Incarceration at Central Cultural Center Library, 2627 Ave. M, in Galveston. http://news.galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=42aac2b93e1a0cf0
· Business Week, Do cholesterol drugs do any good? Jan. 17, 2008. UTMB’s Dr. Howard Brody is quoted in this article questioning the efficacy of statins to control cholesterol in people who are not high-risk heart patients. http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_04/b4068052092994.htm
· Huntsville Item, UTMB-CMC fundraiser, Jan. 17, 2008. On Feb. 8 UTMB-Correctional Managed Care will host a Mardi Gras Bash featuring the Dallas based band Wheels Off. All proceeds will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. http://www.itemonline.com/bestbets/local_story_017003046.html
· Science Live, Customized asthma treatment, Jan. 18, 2008. Dr. Allan Brasier, director of UTMB’s Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine, is quoted in this article on how researchers are taking steps to bring methods of personalized medicine to asthma. http://www.scientistlive.com/19780/customised-asthma-treatment.thtml This article is also on several other international Web sites, including The Hindu in India http://www.thehindu.com/holnus/008200801181740.htm and other sites such as Physorg.com http://www.physorg.com/news119810895.html
· Galveston County Daily News, Stubborn UTMB rumor making rounds, Jan. 18, 2008. Laura Elder raises the question in her Between the Lines blog about why rumors about UTMB moving to Austin remain so persistent. Columns, Viewpoints
· Houston Chronicle, Jan. 12, 2008. Vital Signs: Feed us more than sound bites in campaigns. Laura Hermer, an attorney and an assistant professor of health policy and bioethics at UTMB, writes, “The sound bites mask a much more interesting debate. It asks, ‘Who should be responsible for ensuring that we each get the health care that we need?’ If the ethical responsibility is shared, this debate asks, why should it be divided in one way rather than in another?” http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/5448714.html
· Galveston County Daily News, Jan. 15, 2008, Medical home more crucial than we thought. In his weekly column, Dr. Howard Brody reinforces the importance of primary care and expands on a new survey that cites the new idea emerging from primary-care leaders – “a medical home.” http://news.galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=faa35d6dee04370a
· Corpus Christi Caller Times, Jan. 18, 2008. Garcia’s greatest passion: education. This column focuses on the late Dr. Hector P. Garcia’s passion for education. UTMB annually presents an award in his name to a medical student. http://www.caller.com/news/2008/jan/18/garcias-greatest-passion-education/
News Releases
· Jan. 16: APA recognizes Dr. Karen Wagner with Ittleson award
· Jan. 17: Lefeber lecture series focuses on aging