The University of Kansas Medical Center announced today an agreement with the MInistry of Health of Mexico to cooperate in the areas of culture, education and science.

Dr. José Ángel Córdova, Mexico's secretary of health, signed the letter of intent Friday morning.

The agreement: Both parties will conduct "joint research and educational activities; exchange of information in fields of mutual interest; and an exchange of scholars, faculty and graduate students for lectures, study, clinical experiences and research," according to a press release about the signing.

“I believe today’s events highlight the tremendous potential we have to share research and educational experiences with our colleagues in Mexico," said Karen Miller, RN, PhD, FAAN, senior vice chancellor, KU Medical Center, and dean, KU Schools of Allied Health and Nursing. "I have no doubt that the opportunities this agreement creates will be an invaluable addition to the careers and research of our faculty, the training of our students and the overall care of all our patients, who in the end will benefit most."

(Story courtesy of the University of Kansas Medical Center.)

The University of Kansas Cancer Center has recruited two researchers who bring with them a total of $3 million in National Cancer Institute (NCI) funding.

These research dollars will help achieve the critical requirement of $11 million in total NCI grant funding needed to apply for designation as a Cancer Center.   

Sharmila Shankar, PhD, and Rakesh Srivastava, PhD, have joined the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) and will play an important role in the Cancer Center’s quest for NCI designation. 

Dr. Shankar will serve as associate professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Dr. Srivastava will serve as professor of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics. 

“Our focus has been on recruiting new researchers who have NCI-funded research in order to help us meet the requirement of having a strong funding base before we apply for designation,” said Roy A. Jensen, MD, director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center.  “Drs. Shankar and Srivastava have an incredible track record of NCI funding with a strong background in cancer prevention and drug development. We are thrilled to have them on our team.”

Both come to KUMC from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler.  Dr. Srivastava served as a professor and Dr. Shankar served as assistant professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Medicine. 

Their research focus is on the molecular mechanisms of cancer cell growth and death and on developing novel drugs that treat and prevent cancers. 

Dr. Srivastava did a postdoctoral fellowship at the NCI from 1994 to1996 when he was also awarded a Fogarty International Fellowship by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).    

In order to apply for designation in September 2011, the Cancer Center must have a strong base of funding from the NCI to demonstrate the amount of cancer-focused research being conducted at its Center.

“Our needs right now fall into a simple equation: we need to recruit world-class researchers who already have NCI funding, and we need state-of-the-art facilities in which to house them,” said Dr. Jensen. “Bringing these two recruits on board moves us closer to meeting these needs and fulfilling our goal of achieving NCI designation.”

Seasonal flu shots will be available for free this weekend at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

The parking lot just east of 36th and Rainbow will host the event. Residents can drive to the area and receive the shot without leaving their cars.

“Late October to early November is the best time of year for a flu vaccination,” said William Barkman, M.D., pulmonary and critical care specialist and chief of staff at KU Hospital. “Since the body’s immune system takes time to respond to vaccine, it should be given one to two weeks before the flu season begins in order to stimulate enough antibodies to prevent infection.”

The drive-thru will be held this Saturday from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Those at the medical center encourage the donation of non-perishable food items for Harvesters.

More from a press release:

An annual flu shot is recommended for anyone deemed to be at high risk of contracting influenza. This includes people over 50, those with heart problems, lung or kidney disease, asthma, diabetes, cancer, HIV infection and any illness or treatment that weakens the immune system. It is also recommended for those who care for or live with someone with these high-risk medical conditions. 

People who should not receive the vaccine include those who have an allergy to eggs (used to make the vaccine) and anyone who has ever been paralyzed with Guillian Barre’ Syndrome. People who have a cold or fever should wait until they have recovered. Women who are pregnant or may be pregnant should check with their health care provider.
 

Beginning today, the University of Kansas Medical Center will hold three safety drills on campus.

The center advices nearby residents that 30 police officers are expected to take part in the training and that gunfire like sounds may be heard around KU Medical Center. The training will be held during an "active shooter" scenario.

The drills will be held from Oct. 8-10. Training is closed to the public.

The University of Kansas Medical Center will host the "Changing the Face of Medicine: Celebrating America's Women Physicians" traveling exhibit beginning this week.

The exhibit looks at the evolving nature of the field, with the focus on female physicians and how more females are able to become professionals.

The Dykes Library will host it from Oct. 3 to Nov. 11.

“We are delighted to have been selected as a site for this exhibition,” said Karen Cole, director of Dykes Library. “Although ‘Changing the Face of Medicine’ focuses on women in medicine, its lessons about persistence, dedication, and courage in one’s life choices speak to everyone – men and women and young adults – and to people in all lines of work.”

Along with the medical center, the University of Missouri-Kansas City Health Sciences Library and the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences Library partnered to bring the exhibit to Kansas City. It is one of only 61 sites in the United States to take part in the exhibit.

First-year students at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City Young Democrats and members from the Rosedale Neighborhood Association will gather this Saturday to paint porches and to assist grounds keeping in an elderly neighborhood of KCK.

Volunteers for the event can contact Chris Cardinal or simply meet in the west lot of the Dykes Library located at KU Medical Center at 8:45 a.m. this Saturday.

Similar events are being held in Lawrence, Manhatten, Hutchinson and Pittsburg.

View Larger Map

The University of Kansas Medical Center will host a Drive-Thru Flu Shot program on Oct. 31.

The event will last from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Shots are the typical seasonal flu variety, as vaccines for the H1N1 virus have not been released. Shots are recommended for most people who already suffer from a disease or physical condition.

“Late October to early November is the best time of year for a flu vaccination,” said William Barkman, M.D., pulmonary and critical care specialist and chief of staff at KU Hospital. “Since the body’s immune system takes time to respond to vaccine, it should be given one to two weeks before the flu season begins in order to stimulate enough antibodies to prevent infection.”

No appointment or cost is required for the shot. However, the medical center will take donations and non-perishable food items from residents who attend the event.