Monthly newsletter of the BU Medical Campu

Boston University Medical Center

Moncreiff, Ted

English

Boston University Institutional Repository (OpenBU)

Boston UniversityOpenBU http://open.bu.eduBU Publications Campus Update1990-03Campus Update: March 1990 v. 2,no. 3https://hdl.handle.net/2144/18734Boston UniversityB O S T O N U N I V E R S I T Y M E D I C E N T E R March 1990 University CSITipUS Medical Campus Vol. 2 No. 3 Medical Students See page 4 for employment, fellowship, research and scholarship opportunities. U P D A T E Radon: Deadly threat to an apathetic public by Cynthia Paradis Radon—a naturally occur-ring gas that results from the breakdown of radium, an ele-ment frequently found in soil—is the second leading cause of lung cancer i n the United States. According to the Environmental Protec-tion Agency, 5,000 to 20,000 lung-cancer related deaths each year result from ex-posure to radon gas. A recent survey of 269 BUMC employees' homes -conducted by Victor Ev-dokimoff, M.S., C.H.P., direc-tor of the Medical Center's Radiation Protection Office— revealed that 44 homes ex-ceeded the EPA guideline of 4 picocuries of radon per hter of air. The highest read-ing among the employee homes surveyed was 67 picocuries per liter of air. The survey results further Radon continued on page 2 For computers, microwaves are the wave of the future by Sue Piumb The roof of the School of Medicine's Instructional Building was recently out-fitted w i t h a microwave dish. Resembling a small satellite dish, this newly-in-stalled piece of equipment is crucial to the Depart-ment of Information Technology's goal of im-plementing a new, more effi-cient computer network. According to Graham Ward, M.P.H., director of the Department of Informa-tion Technology, the new Campus-Wide Fiber Optic Network has the potential to enable all computer-users on the Medical and Main Campuses to com-municate easily and effi-ciently w i t h one another via their computer ter-minals. Computers communi-cate w i t h one another by sending small packages of information called bits, ex-plains Ward. "Presently, a device called a modem is necessary to send these bits." Unfortunately, he ex-Microwave continued on page 3 Howard Miller, director of Food Services, presents School of Medicine student R. Helen Tulloh '93 with a dozen roses and a box of chocolates, first prize In a Che-quers Cafe St. Valentine's Day drawing. Nearly 1,000 people entered the draw-ing by purchasing a muffin and beverage at Che-quers Cafe during early February. Safeguard your vision with free giaucoma testing The Cundersen Eye Center w i l l sponsor a free glaucoma-screening clinic, open to all Medical Center employees and their families, Thursday, March 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Glaucoma, an eye disease characterized by gradual loss of vision, is the second lead-ing cause of blindness in the United States. The disease most commonly afflicts African-Americans, persons over the age of 35, and those wi th a family history of the disease. It is important to note that when diagnosed early, blindness resulting from glaucoma is prevent-able in nearly all cases. Dwayne Baharozian, M.D., an ophthalmology resi-dent at the Cundersen Eye Center, emphasizes the in -sidious nature of glaucoma, characterizing the disease as a "silent threat." "It's not hke heart disease," he says, referring to the various warn-ing signs that frequently indi-cate heart problems. "Glaucoma just creeps up on you, and there is really no way of knowing whether you have i t unless you are screened for the disease." According to Baharozian, the glaucoma-screening test is a fast and painless process, taking just a few minutes in most cases. Contact-lens wearers, he notes, should be prepared to remove their lenses prior to testing. To make an appoint-ment or for more informa-tion, contact the Cundersen Eye Center, located on the 10th floor of the Doctors Of-fice Building, at 638-8350 (x8350). Glaucoma see photo, page 3 Victor Evdoklmoff, director of tfie Medical Center's Radiation Protection Office, shares information regarding the dangers of radon gas with an employee during Radon Awareness Day, Jan. 24. The Radiation Protection Office offers a radon-testing ser-vice to Medical Center employees for a nominal charge. Campus Update March 1990 Radon continued from page 1 show that only 13 of the 44 homeowners wi th elevated levels of radon requested fol-low-up testing from the Radiation Protection Of-fice—the next crucial step when such levels are detected. "The public is clearly apathetic to testing, as wel l as to fixing radon problems," Evdoklmoff states. The reason, he speculates, may be that homeowners are concerned that high levels of radon would lower the resale value of their homes. " I think this could be an economic issue for many, rather than a health issue. People don't want to know, so they won't test," he said. The homes of the Medi-cal Center and Charles River Campus employees tested are located in 71 cities and towns throughout Massachusetts, as well as in four neighboring states. Ap-proximately 120 of the 269 homes are located i n Bos-ton, Cambridge, Brookline or Newton, while 140 others are scattered throughout 67 other com-munities. In addition to employees' homes, all BUMC buildings were tested and found to contain acceptable levels of radon. /2 It is important to note that there is no correlation between radon levels and the location of the homes tested, according to Ev-dokimoff. "Each case is house-specific. We have en-countered next-door neigh-bors whose radon readings have varied by factors of two or three. There is no way to predict radon levels; you just have to test." Evdoklmoff encourages the use of trained profes-sionals in all instances in which high levels of radon are detected, in order to en-sure a thorough, profes-sional job. The Radiation Protection Office recom-mends a number of profes-sionals who, Evdoklmoff is confident, w i l l not "take ad-vantage" of employees. Evdoklmoff also points out that, "A house isn't [necessarily] contaminated just because a homeowner gets a high screening." Eol-low-up testing to assess an-nual average radon levels may reveal levels within the limits set by the EPA. The 16 percent of employees' homes found to contain elevated levels of radon gas compares to 21 percent of homes statewide, according to a 1988 study of 2,000 homes conducted by the Massachusetts Depart-ment of Puhhc Health. Evdoklmoff, an assistant professor at the School of Public Health and the Goldman School of Graduate Dentistry, received one of four fellow-ships awarded to School of Public Health faculty to pur-sue the study of radon. The group of four, led by David Ozonoff, M.D., chief of En-vironmental Health at SPH, has focused its attention on four key areas: attitudes toward testing, alleviation of the problem, testing ser-vices and the role of radon in real estate transactions. The Radiation Protection Office offers an EPA-cer-tified, household radon-test-ing service to BUMC employees for $20. The ser-vice is offered to medical students for $10. There is a $10 fee for follow-up tests, as well. Poz further information or to obtain a radon test kit, contact the Radiation Protection Office at 638-7052 (x7052).D Scholarship honors memory of Goldman School's Paraskis A scholarship fund has been established in the name of Charles S. Paraskis, in honor of his 20 years of service to the Goldman School of Graduate Dentistry as a professor of Prosthodontics. Paraskis died suddenly at Brockton Hospital in late January at the age of 73. A scholarship to benefit dental students has been es-tablished in memory of Charles S. Paraskis, D.M.D., a professor of Pros-thodontics at the Goldman School of Graduate Den-tistry. Paraskis, who died sud-denly in late January, prac-ticed in Holbrook and taught prosthetic dentistry at the Goldman School for the past 20 years. In addition to lecturing nationally and intemation-ally, Paraskis was involved in several professional den-tal organizations and was past president of the American Prosthodontic Society. Among his many inter-ests, Paraskis was fas-cinated with the history of articulators in dentistry and was writ ing a book on the subject. His collection and documentation of ar-ticulators was the focus of a 1981 exhibit at the Nation-al Museum of American History i n Washington, D.C., and is currently on display in the lobby of the Goldman School of Graduate Dentistry. Those wishing to contribute to the Paraskis Scholarship Fund may send their contributions to the GSGD Development Of-fice, 100 East Newton Street, Room G-308, Boston, Mass. 02118; (617) 638-4891.0 Campus Update March 1990 /3 Microwave continued from page 1 plains, modems are capable of sending only 1,200 to 2,400 hits per second. In ad-dition, modems require the use of telephone lines, which can prove inefficient in a number of respects. In addition to busy signals and a problematic noise level, communication via telephone lines can he slow, often requiring up to 10 minutes to send a single file of information. Wi th the installation of the microwave Unk, the need for modems w i l l he eliminated, says Ward. Any two computers that are hooked up to the system w i l l be able to communi-cate directly, w i th greater speed and efficiency. He es-timates that the microwave l ink w i l l enable users to transmit information at a speed of 10 mil l ion bits per second, an increase in speed of more than four thousand percent. The new system is st i l l on the ground floor of development. Ward indi-cates, hut he says he hopes that limited service w i l l he available by July 1, 1990. "A special equipment shed must first he built on the Charles River Campus in order to complete the Unk," he explains. "Once the Unk is complete, however, the system w i l l be accessible to all departments arranging for hook up." Looking to the future. Ward speculates that the new system may extend far beyond the confines of the Boston University Campus. "Through a larger network called Bitnet," he explains, "communication may be possible not only campus-wide, but also world-wide. " • Glaucoma screening: 'Fast, painless and effective' Dwayne Bafiarozian, M.D., of tfie Gunder-sen Eye Center, ex-amines Annette Scott for glaucoma, the second-leading cause of blindness in the U.S. TheGundersen Eye Center is sponsor-ing a free glaucoma-screening clinic, open to Medical Center employees and their families, Thursday, March 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (see story, page 1) Business travelers: Don't leave home without It Employees traveling on busi-ness should know that the Boston University Corporate Credit Card from American Express can simphfy life on the road and help travelers get down to business. In addition to reducing the need for cash advances and the risks attendant upon carrying large amounts of cash, the American Express Corporate Card provides automatic accident, car rent-al and personal property in-surance, as wel l as check-cashing privileges at par-ticipating motels, hotels and American Express Service Centers. What's more, an un-limited credit ceiling allows the card to easily accom-modate extended trips or un-foreseen expenses. The corporate card is provided at no cost to eligible employees. For more information or to ob-tain a card, contact the Medical Campus Office of Financial Af-fairs at 638-5346 (x5346). • Lunchtime seminars address problems plaguing working parents The Parent Services Department on the Charles River Cam-pus, a cost-free resource and referral service available to parents of the Boston University community, is offering several seminars of interest to working parents. The fol-lowing is a hst of upcoming seminars, both on the Medical and the Charles River Campuses. Working Parents Brown-Bag Luncheon Series (Medical Campus) This discussion series w i l l highlight issues that parents confront as they struggle w i t h their work and family responsibilities. Each of three discussions w i l l entail a brief presentation followed by group discussion. Issues dis-cussed w i l l include family roles and expectations and managing stressful times during the workday. The three-part series w i l l be conducted on three consecutive Thursdays—March 22, March 29 and April 5—from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., and w i l l be held in the AB Conference Room in the University Hospital's Atrium Pavilion. The discussion w i l l be led by Marcia Wagner, director of the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program, and by N i k k i Sibley, director of the Parent Services Department. Call the Facul-ty Staff Assistance Program at 353-5381 to reserve space for the series. Helping Your Chi ld Choose the Right College (Charles River Campus) Topics for this brown-bag lunch seminar include: when and how to begin looking for a college, financial aid op-tions, and quahfications colleges seek. The seminar w i l l be held April 10, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., i n the Thurman Room, Marsh Chapel, 735 Commonwealth Ave. Repre-sentatives of the Boston University Office of Admissions w i l l lead the discussion. Call the Parent Services Depart-ment at 353-5942 to reserve space. Live-In Child Care: A n Affordable Option (Charles River Campus) This hrown-bag lunch seminar w i l l be led by Diane Swartz and Jane Dexter of Knightsbridge Associates, a professional consulting service specializing in matching families w i th the right nanny. Learn how to effectively advertise, inter-view, and hire a nanny. The seminar w i l l he held April 24, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., on the first floor of the Parent Ser-vices Department, 25 Buick Street. Contact the Parent Ser-vices Dept. at 353-5954 to reserve space. April School Vacation Program (Charles River Campus) This short-term day-care alternative w i l l he available during the public-school vacation, from Apri l 17 to 20, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Children in kindergarten through grade five are eligible to attend. The program w i l l be held in the Case Center at Rich Hall on the Charles River Campus. Cost is $100. Call the Parent Services Department at 353-5954 to reserve space.n Campus Update March 1990 /4 Opportunities open to B.U. medical students The following list details employment oppoitunities, fall intemships, fellowship programs, medical education cour-ses, scholarships and awards, and summer research programs available to Boston University medical students. Employment opportunities Camp Tanuga (Michigan) Northern Michigan summer camp for children, ages 6-15. Openings for counselors, speciahsts and others. Mid-June through mid-August. For more information, call the camp at (313)354-7400. Floating Hospital Unique health-education facility offering comprehensive health-care and health-education programs for low-income families and senior citizens while sailing New York's waters. June 6-Aug. 17, 1990. Deadline: April 15, 1990. Fellowship programs Delaware Academy of Family Physicians Summer Fellowship Program. Spend a week with each of six different family physicians throughout the state of Delaware. Summer 1990 program. Open to all medical students. Deadline: May 1, 1990. School of Medicine student Mark Dougherty '93 drives across the court in a recent basketball game at the Solomon Carter Fuller Mental Health Center between the BUSM Schiemrocks and the UH Security Green Team. The Green Team out-hooped the Schiemrocks, 51-34. Teams representing the School of Medicine, the Goldman School of Graduate Dentistry, the Fuller Mental Health Center, Boston Edison and the University Hospi-tal compete Wednesday evenings, beginning at 6:15 p.m., In the SCFMHC gymnasium. Regular season action ends In April; playoffs begin In May. University of Minnesota School of Public Health Fellowships in Cancer Epidemiology. Training and re-search opportunities in cancer etiology and prev I prevention. I opportunities Medical education courses University of British Columbia Graduate Studies in Experimental Medicine. M.Sc- and Ph. D.-degree research program. Detailed information available upon request. Utica College of Syracuse University Medical Education Summer Program. Observe small-city and rural-medical practices. Eight-week program, from late May through August. Open to first- and second-year students. Deadline: April 1, 1990. Volunteers for Israel Summer 1990 Medical Program. Observe procedures in Is-raeli hospitals and tour medical faciUties throughout the country. Flexible three-week program. Open to all medi-cal students. Deadhne: April 23, 1990. For more informa-tion, contact Volunteers for Israel at (212) 643-4848. Scholarships and awards Alcohol and Drug Abuse Training Program Medical Student Program in Alcohol and Other Drug De-pendencies. Three-week Summer 1990 program at one of 16 institutes and summer schools of alcohol and drug studies. Open to all medical students. Students en-couraged to call individual programs for enrollment infor-mation. Summer research programs American Geriatrics Society Summer Institute in Geriatrics. Aug. 6-11, 1990, at Boston University School of Medicine. Open to third-year medi-cal students. Deadline: April 15, 1990. Mount Sinai Hospital (Hartford, Conn.) Summer Clinical Research Program 1990. Students com-plete eight-week summer clinical research project. Open to first- and second-year medical students. Deadhne: April 15, 1990. Tibet/Nepal International Health Expedition. Expedition to remote v i l -lage in Mt. Everest region of Nepal or Tibet to conduct sur-vey of health conditions. Expeditions run June 20-July 21, 1990 (length, number of expeditions contingent upon en-rollment). Open to all. Tentative deadline: May 16, 1990. United Jewish Appeal Summer Medical Students Mission to Israel '90. Fourteen-day mission to Israel for medical studies. June 17-July 1. Open to ah medical students. Deadline: April 2, 1990. For more information on any of the opportunities listed above, contact the B U S M Student Affairs Office, Instructional Building, R m . L-109, at 638-4166 (x4166). Note: B . U . faculty with summer-research opportunities available to B . U . medical students should notify Susan Mahair at the Stu-dent Affairs Office, R m . L-109, in writing. • Campus Update is published monthly by the Boston University Medical Campus Office of Business Affairs; William f. Gasper, as-sistant vice president. Article ideas may be addressed to Mr. Gasper or to Michael f. Donovan, director of Personnel. The pub-lication is written and produced by the Office of Publication Ser-vices: Owen f. McNamara, director; Ted Moncreiff editor/writer. Staff artist is Catherine LeBlanc. Photos by David Keough, Rose Marston, Lucy Milne. 

Campus Update: March 1990 v. 2, no. 3

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Campus Update: March 1990 v. 2, no. 3

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