College Monthly Update
for
December 31, 2000
Update Archive

• Happy 2001 to each member of the MSUCOM family! The college is blessed with a dedicated staff, exceptionally committed faculty, and students who represent the highest standard of the osteopathic profession. In 2000 the college celebrated recognition as a Top Ten Primary Care Medical School as ranked by US News & World Report. This achievement was the result of more than 30 years of commitment by the osteopathic profession of Michigan, members of the Statewide Campus System, community and campus-based faculty, administrative and support staff, students, and 2815 alumni. Enjoy the accomplishments of the past, but focus on the potential of the future for MSUCOM leadership in education, research and scholarly activity, patient care, and community service.

• Margaret I. Aguwa, DO, MPH, Chairperson and Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, received a $25,000 grant from the Ag Extension's Family and Children Together Program to support activities of the Osteo-CHAMPS Program which educates minority high school students about osteopathic medicine and is also used as a minority recruitment tool for MSUCOM.

• William G. Anderson, DO, Clinical Professor, Osteopathic Surgical Specialties, was recognized with a Distinguished Service Certificate by the American Osteopathic Association.

• Gretchen Birbeck, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology and Ophthalmology was the recipient of the Lancet 2000 Prize which is awarded to promising young investigators doing international work. Dr. Birbeck's grant will be used to help establish neurology surrogates in Zambia.

• Daniel Murman, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology and Ophthalmology received an MSU Intramural Research Grant for his project "Genetic Predictors of Psychosis in Alzheimer's Disease".

• The MSUCOM Admissions Committee has offered admission to 57 applicants for the Class of 2005.

• In collaboration with the Oakland County Osteopathic Association, the MSUCOM Alumni Office hosted a reception at Oakland Hills Country Club for alumni, association members, students, and friends. John Tower, DO, MSU '85 and wife Kelly, and Craig Magnatta, DO, MSU '78, assisted with the planning of the event and Dean Jacobs provided a college update.

• Beginning Spring Semester 2001, the college will offer a new undergraduate course as part of the Osteopathic Medical Scholars Program. The course, OST 401 - "Topics in Osteopathic Medicine", will be coordinated by Norma Baptista, PhD, with presentations from several college faculty members.

• MSUCOM welcomed faculty, staff, and community partners to the annual Holiday Open House on Wednesday, December 20.

• The college sponsored a Giving Tree which provided 125 area children with holiday gifts. Special thanks to Ann Cook, Katie Donnelly, Sharon Husch, Michelle Kost, Cindy Kost, Jane Walsh, and Patti Wilkins for their time and effort to ensure the success of this year's program, and to the many faculty, staff, and students for their generous support.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

February 1, 8, 15, and 22, Visiting Minority Faculty Lecture Series.

Tuesday, February 13, 6:00 pm, UAAO Auction, University Club.

Thursday, February 22, 3:00 pm, MOMAB Quarterly Meeting, C102 East Fee Hall.

Saturday, February 24, 7:00 pm, Vegas Night, Hawk Hollow Country Club.

March 3-10, Seminar in the Sun, Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Wednesday, March 28, 5:00 pm, Spring Semester Faculty Assembly.

April 27-29, Women's Health Expo, Lansing Center.

Thursday, May 3, 2001, Class of 2001 Hooding and Commencement Ceremony, Wharton Center.

May 8-13, Michigan Osteopathic Association Annual Convention and Scientific Meeting.

Wednesday, May 23, Faculty Development Symposium.