All Department Meeting -- April 2008

All Department Meeting

April 2, 2008

Dr. Schulz commenced the meeting by welcoming the attendees and giving a brief history of the All Department Meeting.

Departmental Retreat

Dr. Schulz recapitulated the Faculty Retreat of March 29.  He pointed out that with the economic realities facing the State of Minnesota and consequent limited funding, the Department will seek to be self-reliant financially and to develop its own revenues. 

Dr. Schulz related that Vice-Dean Peter Mitsch addressed the Retreat on the topic of developments in the Medical School.

The Vice Chairs also addressed the retreat, with Dr. Lim speaking on the topic of research, Dr. Curdue on clinical developments, and Dr. Mackenzie discussing the issue of improvements in education and the centrality of education to our mission. 

Dr. Schulz then spoke on the increase in clinical revenues in the Department.  Clinical revenues were up 15% last year and are on pace to rise by 11-12% this year, which testifies to increased Departmental productivity.

New Faculty

Dr. Schulz said that there are three current recruitments.  The current recruitments are:

• Kathryn Cullen, M.D., who is currently a Fellow in the Department
• David Herin, Ph.D., from Houston.  Dr. Herin is considering moving to the University to work with Dr. Grabowski and would bring a K99R00 grant from the NIH
• K. N. R. Chengappa, a Professor at the University of Pittsburgh and editor of the journal Bipolar Disorders.  Dr. Chengappa has extensive experience in public-academic liaison and would come to work with the Department in its cooperation with State Operated Services. 

Education Update

Dr. Mackenzie gave an update on the progress of the residency match.  The Department filled all 7 of its spots, which puts us on pace to have a full compliment of 28 residents in our program.  He gave the following details of the match:

• The Department got 673 applications
• The Department interviewed 27 potential residents
• Twenty-three of those interviewed were ranked
• Two offers were extended outside the match process
• Three of the new residents are graduates of the University of Minnesota Medical School

The fiscal situation of the residency has been eased by the fact that the Department has secured three additional stipends which, with the stipends from the VA, works to cover Departmental costs. 

Dr. Mackenzie also thanked Betty Brenner and Jennifer Janacek for all their hard work during the labor-intensive match process.

Clinical Update

Dr. Curdue emphasized that a focus on increasing the quality of clinical care need not compromise productivity, and pointed out that at other hospitals, such as the VAMC, improved quality has actually increased productivity.  She pointed out that many external forces are working on the Department and we need to control the processes of change to guide ourselves and to retain focus on what we’re best at. 

Center Management Announcement

Mary Hensley announced that Beth Madson will be assuming the duties of Department Administrator effective immediately. 

Questions and Answers

A question was raised about changing the grants application process.  Dr. Schulz addressed this by stating that changes are on the way and that one of these changes may include an internal review process.  These changes are being driven in part by new, more stringent re-application regulations at NIH.  Dr. Gottesman added that it is important for faculty who may apply for NIH grants to review these changes at www.nih.gov.  Dr. Schulz further pointed out that Dean Powell has brought in Carol Bland and Richard King to provide guidance and internal mentorship for researchers.

John Hopwood reported that he is in the process of developing a new Departmental website.

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All Departmental Meeting April 2008